Council defers decision on Drouin gymnasium

Consideration of a planning application to develop a fitness centre in a Drouin residential area has been deferred after a motion to refuse the proposal was defeated by Baw Baw Shire.

Council heard from a number of objectors and the applicant Anthony Alderuccio of Voyage Fitness at its meeting last week.

Cr Murray Cook moved that council refuse the application.

He said he had listened to submissions during the meeting and he had sympathy for the people in that residential area.

But the motion was defeated, prompting Cr Debbie Brown to move that council defer the matter.

Cr Brown said council should defer making a decision to allow clarification on the onsite car parking allocated to each business on the site, hours of operation and noise.

The application sought to use the former Landmark building in Calway St, Drouin for a fitness centre. The property is in a residential zone.

The centre would operate 24 hours a day, Monday to Friday. The gym would be staffed between 6am and 7pm but members will be able to access the building outside these hours.

The site and layout plan shows 34 car spaces around the site.

There were 15 objections to the proposal, including a petition tabled with council signed by 83 people.

Objector Bruce Robertson urged councillors to refuse the application.

He said surrounding residents had concerns about car parking spilling onto residential streets like it had in Warragul.

He said there also would be traffic congestion because it was one way in and one way out. “We were here before the gym”, he said. Gary van der Tang told council he had collected signatures for the petition.

He said their objections related to noise, parking and vehicle access to the site.

“We do not want our amenity disturbed,” he said.

Mr Alderuccio said Voyage provided a health club for everyone and he believed there was a need for a fitness centre in Drouin.

“I understand and I care about the reaction of residents but I am there to serve a need for my current members and provide an opportunity for others.

Mr Alderuccio said he believed the parking available on site would cater for the needs of the gym.

The application will be considered at council’s next meeting in October.