Bid to crack nut plan

By Tania Martin
A VICTORIAN Civil and Administration Tribunal hearing will go ahead after the Shire of Yarra Ranges stood firm on its decision to refuse an application for a golf course and walnut grove in Coldstream.
The developer recently preempted the council’s decision on the golf course by putting in an appeal with VCAT prior to the shire making its decision.
However, the council last week agreed to advise VCAT that had the applicant not lodged an appeal, the council would have refused the application.
The Croydon Golf Club put in an application to the council for a 27-hole golf course at 178-180 Victoria Road in Coldstream to have a shared use for a walnut grove.
The council received 16 objections to the application with nearby residents raising concerns over the use of a recreational facility in a rural setting.
The council’s director of planning, building and health, James Lamour-Reid, said this application also comes on the back of a recent decision to refuse a similar golf course development.
He said a golf course development in Victoria Road would impinge on a clause of the planning policy that protects agricultural land.
Nearby resident Ian Wall said the developer is trying to go in the back door to overcome the agricultural land restrictions by proposing a walnut grove.
In June 2004 the council approved a planning permit for a golf course development in the area but had its decision overturned by VCAT.
Ryrie Ward councillor Di Moore said that it was time that the council spoke up and admitted that it did the wrong thing when it approved the previous application.
Since VCAT overturned the council decision there has been a number of similar applications, which the council has rejected.
Cr Moore said the shire needed to maintain and strengthen the role of agriculture in the shire, and that it would be remiss of the council to support the advancement of a golf course in the area.
Speaking on behalf of the developers Australand, Rob Miltner said there had been considerable work done on the application to show the company’s willingness to integrate the use of agriculture with the golf course.
Cr Moore said the council needs to show consistency over planning policies and should admit it was wrong to approve the original application which was overturned by VCAT.