Petition with 1000 names opposes Yarragon servo

More than 1000 people have signed a petition calling on Baw Baw Shire Council to refuse a proposal to develop a major service station west of Yarragon.

Cr Darren Wallace tabled the petition at council’s meeting last week.

Cr Wallace said within three weeks of the proposed development being advertised, 1097 people had signed the petition.

Council received the petition and will consider it as an objection to the application.

Plans for a major roadside service centre at Yarragon were revealed last month when the planning permit application was placed on public exhibition.

The application was immediately met with resistance from Yarragon’s business community. However, some community members also have supported the development.

The petition presented to council asked councillors to reject the application.

The petition has been signed by residents of Yarragon and nearby towns as well as visitors.

Petitioners said the development would take up a large proportion of land identified for future residential zoning in the Yarragon structure plan.

“Yarragon already caters for travellers: a service station on the east; public toilets, long-vehicle parking, supermarket, chemist, parks and gardens and a variety of food/drink options within the township

“Yarragon has been identified by Baw Baw Shire Council as a tourist destination, with marketing of the town promoting a village atmosphere. A service station centre does not fit with Yarragon’s village streetscape and the boutique offering provided by local small business owners.

“A service station centre development will undoubtedly increase the amount of litter and noise pollution in and around Yarragon; in turn this may lower the value of land and existing homes in the surrounding area,” the petition stated.

Cr Michael Leaney said there had been a lot of interest from both people for and against this development.

“It is obviously a major issue coming to council and we will have a lot to consider when it comes to council,” he said.

The planning application detailed the proposed development on the Princes Hwy, just west of the town. The development will occupy 39 hectares of an 85 hectare property extending west from the Princes HwyHazeldean Rd intersection.

The development includes refuelling areas for

A $256,000 tender has been accepted by Baw Baw Shire for refurbishment of the Drouin Library.

Local builder James G. Morrison won the tender to undertake the refurbishment which will provide convert the existing library space into a more open and accessible area.

The works include construction of a new landing and access ramps to the meeting room, conversion of existing male toilets to storerooms, conversion of the kitchen to male toilets, minor construction works, tiling, and painting.

The works are being funded by a $55,000 council allocation and a further $205,000 through the state government’s Living Libraries grants program.

Cr Keith Cook said the hall was converted to a library space in 1990 and then in 2007 a refurbishment was undertaken.

But, he said the library was “starting to look a bit tired.”

Cr Cook said considering Drouin’s population growth, it was agreed the current hall type library wasn’t working anymore. cars and trucks, a convenience store and two food outlets/restaurants.

The application says it will cater for all vehicles from small cars to B-double trucks.

Applicant Jasbe Petroleum described itself as an experienced developer of service stations and freeway service centres.

When the application was advertised, a number of business people raised concerns about the impact on businesses, describing it as a “significant threat” to the existing village.

Submissions on the planning permit application closed on February 27.

“The shire had $55,000 from that upgrade but the state government came on board and gave us $205,000.

“This will allow a growing community to use the building the way it should be,” he said.

Cr Mikaela Power said the tender process had been very thorough and the outcome will see the building used in a much better way.

“There are acres of space in the men’s toilets so we can use that space more effectively,” she said.