By BRIDGET SCOTT
A CRANBOURNE couple are outraged after they received word that a half-way house would be constructed across the road from their bottle shop business.
Danielle and Andre Khalil are in shock after information provided to them indicated that a half-way house would be built on the vacant block of land directly opposite their Bottle-O on Lurline Street, Cranbourne.
“We are told it will be a half-way house and accommodation for floaters,” Ms Khalil said.
“We have strong objections to this.”
While the couple has claimed that this is a State Government initiative, the News could not receive confirmation that this was the case.
A State Government spokesperson said the government is not aware of the half-way house and that most are developed by private operators.
“We definitely don’t own any plans for that site,” the spokesperson said.
The City of Casey Manager for Planning Duncan Turner said there are State Government planning provisions that allow for shared accommodation uses without the need for local planning permission.
“The City of Casey has not issued any planning permits.
“Council is investigating this matter to determine the exact nature of the proposal and its compliance with the State Government planning provisions,” he said.
The couple couldn’t understand the logic behind a decision to build such a house opposite a bottle shop.
“For them to open it here, something like that across the road from a Bottle-O, is crazy,” Mr Khalil said.
Ms Khalil said a few people have expressed their concerns over the proposal and she is also worried about its close proximity to a childcare centre as well as a primary school.“We can’t even object to it,” she said.
“They’re full steam ahead already and there was no notification at all.”
Mr Khalil said people are “wild over it” while his wife said she would like to know about the type of people who will live there.
“Who are these people seeking short-term accommodation?” she said.
