Curtain raiser

By Casey Neill
BURRINJA committee members awaiting a new auditorium will now hold their breath until 2 September.
The Shire of Yarra Ranges unanimously approved plans for a 400-seat auditorium at the Upwey cultural centre at its 12 August meeting.
However, several objections from residents living near the Matson Drive development have caused concern that the project may be halted.
Objectors have 21 days to lodge a submission with the Victorian Civil And Administrative Tribunal, from the date the application was approved.
Streeton Ward councillor Noel Cliff said if an objection forced VCAT to put the project on hold, $2 million in Federal Government funding would be placed in danger and construction costs would spiral out of control.
Glenfern Road resident Tony Bicknell said locals were concerned about a lack of on-site parking and increased traffic to the street and noise.
Mr Bicknell said there had been a number of recent accidents within 50 metres of Matson Drive and increased traffic in the street would be a hazard for children using the nearby park.
“Residents are trying to point out the potential danger of accident and injury,” he said.
Mr Bicknell said there were also concerns about noise from loading sets and props, which is permitted until 1am, and car park lighting spilling into adjoining homes.
He said the residential area would be destroyed with increased commercial use.
“I don’t think the councillors fully understand what they have done and have failed to adequately communicate with the local community,” he said.
He said the local community was denied a fair hearing and many letters, e-mails and phone calls to the shire were unanswered. Cr Cliff said he appreciated residents’ concerns.
“Maybe if I lived there I’d have some concerns, too,” he said.
“The local people won’t be forgotten. We will make sure their interests are looked after.”
He said the planning application exceeded planning scheme parking conditions and more on site parking would be found as the project progressed.
A minimum of 107 spaces on site and 48 formal car spaces within Matson Drive must be provided.
Cr Cliff said traffic marshals would control traffic flow ‘until stumps’ at major events.
Acoustic fencing and baffled external lighting are required under the planning permit.
A site management plan must detail how auditorium bookings will be managed with other Burrinja facilities, all parking areas and noise and traffic control.
Burrinja executive officer Ross Farnell said the planning permit was an important step in bringing the project to fruition.
He said the project had been an emotional roller coaster.
Federal Government funding to the tune of $2 million for the project was confirmed earlier this month.
The previous Howard Government pledged the cash under the Regional Partnerships program but no formal contract was signed.
The project was placed in danger in May this year when the Labor Government scrapped the scheme and all uncontracted projects.
The redevelopment will include a 400-seat auditorium, indigenous cultural education garden, and improvements to the studios and galleries.
The shire has allocated $4.6 million to the project while the State Government committed $3 million.
Construction is set to begin in mid 2009.