Steve Wood, Anita Dealy and Nicole Gale with kids Luca and Kieran voice their concerns over the proposed Tecoma supermarket development. 32020 Picture: Luke Plummer.
By Casey Neill
OBJECTORS have united to oppose a $7 million supermarket development in Tecoma ahead of a VCAT hearing this year.
Developer Freeman Tecoma applied last September to build a supermarket, specialty store and undercover parking at 1529 Burwood Highway.
The project would see the Hippie Haven Music Cafe and the Indian restaurant Saffron Cottage bulldozed. The businesses are housed in the historic Hazelvale Dairy and original dairy residence.
The newly formed Save Tecoma group is now preparing for the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal hearing that will seal the development’s fate after the Shire of Yarra Ranges failed to approve a permit within the required 60 days.
“Save Tecoma’s goal is to make sure that development in the Tecoma township reflects what the local community values about our home town,” group member Nicole Gale said.
The Shire of Yarra Ranges unanimously rejected the proposal at its 10 March meeting
The shire received a staggering 531 objections and 16 petitions opposing the development and just four submissions in support.
Objectors said the development would increase traffic and noise, endanger pedestrians, ruin the township’s “village feel” and be of little benefit to the town.
