Commercial centre could spread south

Drouin’s future commercial centre growth could be south of the railway line.

Baw Baw Shire’s director of planning and economic development Matthew Cripps said council had applied to the State Government for funding of a study into rezoning along South Rd from Princes Way to about the location of the former factory of Visy packaging.

He confirmed there had been discussion about the Visy site, currently zoned industrial, being utilised for an Aldi supermarket and other businesses.

“The study may provide justification to rezone that property”.

“We are looking at opportunities to rezone on South Rd,” Mr Cripps told The Gazette when commenting on the “constrained” existing central business area of the town.

The railway line, parkland, topography and residential areas provide a border to the shopping and commercial area.

As well as the site formerly occupied by Visy the stretch of South Rd to Princes Way already has a hotel, an old dairy factory now used for functions, a take away food/general store and a child care centre dotted among housing.

The old milk factory site in Queen St, Warragul continues to stand in a derelict condition despite court orders requiring its demolition. Original plans were for the development of a retail hub on the site.

Left: Howitt St, Warragul. Proposed bulky goods stores complex has had on-site advertising for prospective tenants for about two years but no progress to date.

South Rd, Drouin. Site needs to be rezoned from industrial to enable future commercial development.