By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
Residents in Kallista are up in arms over a proposed medicinal cannabis farm that could soon become a neighbour in their tight-knit community.
The proposed development, a cannabis cultivation facility, has sparked anxiety among long-time residents who fear it could dramatically alter the peaceful, family-friendly character of the area
Several residents from Kallista have contacted Star Mail to outpour their concerns, with many expressing frustration and worry about how the development will affect their homes and the close-knit community they’ve built over decades.
The concerns primarily centre around the impact this facility might have on the visual amenity and overall atmosphere of the street. Many locals are alarmed by the prospect of a large commercial operation being visible from their homes, including those of elderly residents who have lived in the area for decades.
One resident who chose to remain anonymous, who we will refer to as “Joe,” expressed significant concern about the potential impact on neighbouring properties.
“The facility will be right outside my neighbour’s kitchen, lounge, and balcony, he wasn’t even notified about the proposal. This is the first he’s heard of it, and he’s devastated,” Joe said.
The resident described the area as a place where families have lived and celebrated community events for years, with children growing up here, street parties, and Christmas celebrations being a regular feature of the local calendar.
Joe said the concern is even more noticeable for an elderly couple in their 90s who have lived across the road from the proposed site for over 30 years.
The elderly resident has long been known for organising the community Christmas event that brings together dozens of neighbours. Now, the thought of having a large industrial facility in clear view of their front door is deeply unsettling.
“This is a community that has been built over decades, we’ve had children growing up here, street parties, and a strong sense of togetherness. The idea that all of that could change so drastically is heartbreaking,” Joe said.
The fear is that such a facility would not just affect the immediate residents but could set a precedent for more industrial-style developments in the area, eroding the rural, semi-rural nature of Kallista and disrupting the tranquil lifestyle that many people cherish.
This worry is not unfounded. The proposed cannabis facility would be located along the main road through Kallista, making it highly visible from several homes.
“For a community that thrives on its natural beauty and quiet streets, the introduction of a commercial farming operation just metres away has left many of us feeling uncertain about the future of our area,” Joe said.
The potential for the facility to involve processing as well as cultivation is also a key concern.
Processing is considered a “Rural Industry” under the local planning scheme, which means it would require a planning permit and this has prompted fears of increased traffic, noise, and the possible intrusion of industrial activity into what has long been a peaceful residential area.
Many residents worry that once the door is opened to such a development, it could lead to similar operations popping up in the future, fundamentally changing the character of Kallista.
“I’ve lived here for years and never thought something like this would happen, the community has always been about family and nature. Now, with the threat of something like this happening so close, it feels like everything we love about this place could be at risk,” he said.
While the concerns from Kallista residents have been clear and impassioned, the Yarra Ranges Council has responded with assurances that the proposal will be assessed thoroughly and fairly.
Yarra Ranges Council’s director of planning and sustainable futures, Kath McClusky clarified the planning process in a statement.
“Council received a planning application YR-2025/114 on 4 March for buildings and works associated with an agricultural use (cultivating Medicinal Cannabis) at a property in Kallista,” Ms McClusky said.
“Since the property is in a Green Wedge Zone, an agricultural use does not require a planning permit. If processing is to occur on the property, this would be a Rural Industry, which does require a planning permit.”
Ms McClusky further explained that the council has asked for additional information from the applicants to better understand the scope of the proposed operations.
“Once we have received this information, advertising to the community will commence,” she said.
“We can accept submissions and objections on applications until they are decided by Council or a delegate.”
In line with council protocols, the community will have an opportunity to provide feedback once the application is officially advertised.
Ms McClusky said that all applications are evaluated on their merits, and the council is committed to assessing them in accordance with the local planning scheme.
“We assess all applications on their merit and against the Planning Scheme,” she said, adding that the Federal Government manages the regulation of medicinal cannabis cultivation.
While the council’s response may provide some reassurance about the planning process, the local community remains deeply concerned about how the proposed facility could impact their neighbourhood.
Kallista resident said the idea of a commercial cannabis farm in the heart of a residential area is unsettling for many who have enjoyed decades of quiet, family-focused living.
For residents who want to voice their concerns, the council has provided several ways to engage with the process. The community will be notified once the planning application is formally advertised, and there will be opportunities to submit objections or support for the proposal.
For now, Kallista’s residents are waiting anxiously to see what happens next.
Many are holding on to the hope that the proposed development will be reconsidered or relocated to a more appropriate site. For them, the future of their neighbourhood is not just about a planning application – it’s about protecting the quiet, community-driven environment that has long made Kallista a cherished place to live.
For more information about the application or to make a submission, residents can visit the Yarra Ranges Council website.
– [View the application details](www.eplanning.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Pages/XC.Track/SearchApplication.aspx?id=1521895)
– [Make a submission or objection](www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Development/Planning/View-applications-and-make-a-submission/Making-a-submission-of-support-or-objection)
