Bakery proposal for Erica a case study of planning woes
Plans to re-establish a bakery at Erica present a case study typical of the problems faced when dealing with Baw Baw Shire’s planning department, according to the proponents.
Brooke Campbell and Matthew Youd began discussions with the planning department 20 months ago about restoring and extending an old shop in the town that had been a bakery until 50 years ago and subsequently used for a now closed ski hire business.
They are still waiting for approval of their plans that were formally submitted in December last year after what Ms Campbell described as “getting the run around” by “six or seven shire planners,” being told to alter some of their ideas and not getting responses back for months at a time.
Ms Campbell contacted The Gazette reported on October 4 that an independent report completed 12 months ago into the shire’s planning department woes would be publicly released at tomorrow night’s council meeting.
Council commissioned the Andrew Wegener Review to delve into the department’s problems and below par performance highlighted in state government data and community satisfaction surveys.
The Wegener Review was deemed confidential by the shire and the decision to now publicly release it came only after The Gazette lodged a Freedom of Information request for the report, an action also taken by Warragul resident and former chief executive officer at several metropolitan councils Don McLean.
The shire’s planning and development director Leanne Hurst, who did not take up her position until after the Wegener Review was completed, said only sections that protected the privacy of people who participated in the review would be redacted in the document to be released at tomorrow’s council meeting.
Ms Campbell and Mr Youd have some strong ideas of their own as to why there are lengthy delays getting projects approved.
Topping their list are big turnover of staff within the planning department and changing demands for amendments.
“We talk with one officer and when try to contact them again are told that person is no longer with the shire,” Ms Campbell said.
She said that had happened “five or six times” and they had not heard back from the department about where things stand for the past three to four months even though the period the proposal was advertised closed on April 4.
To date Ms Campbell said the cost of having plans and statutory reports, as well as various amendments demanded by the shire, had run to about $40,000.
In addition to a town planning report and detailed plans of their proposal a bushfire management report, land capability assessment, supplementary planning information and amended plans have been submitted.
A couple of issues, in particular, demonstrate to Ms Campbell what she sees as typical of the problems people have with the shire’s planners.
One was the demand by one of the earlier staff they dealt with to change the roof pitch on the recommendation of a heritage adviser
and another where a planner said the septic system was too small.
In later dealings with another officer they were told the changes to the roof pitch were not acceptable.
And after engaging at extra expense a wastewater management engineer to revise the plan to meet the shire’s demands advice was then received from another “new” officer that the amended septic system was too large.
The Campbells say they have threatened legal action but with no progress being made towards receiving shire approval can’t argue their case any further other than by referring it to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
In their application to Baw Baw shire they highlighted “the importance of the building remaining true to its (bakery) roots”.
“The original wood fired scotch oven is integral to the design and would be highlighted by a viewing window at the front of the building”.
The redevelopment would also provide for in-house dining for up to 50 people, private functions and a providore section to showcase locally produced gourmet food and wines.
While not addressing what has caused delays in assessing the application, Baw Baw Shire confirmed the planning application was progressing and was “still under assessment with the team.”