Nursery approved at Jindivick garden

A Jindivick garden known for its rare plants has been given planning permission to run a nursery from the property four days a week.

Owners of the Broughton Hall garden in Palmer Rd sought a planning permit to run a rare plants boutique nursery from their property.

Permit conditions state that unless prior consent is given by council, trading hours will be 10am to 4pm Thursdays to Sundays.

Restrictions also prevent the nursery opening on days of total fire ban.

A number of submissions were presented to council, both in support of and opposing the use of the land as a nursery.

The submissions included seven objections and 15 letters of support including a letter with 61 signatures.

Objections related to: car parking, traffic and road condition; conflicting land uses such as open garden and wedding functions; and, hours of operation and amenity.

A report to council said the proposal would occupy about 490 square metres of the site within an area currently used as part of the garden to the existing dwelling.

Officers said the site has a current permit which allows for wedding ceremonies and functions from November to April each year.

The owners also participate in the open gardens events which are run throughout the state, usually twice a year.

“The proposal is considered to be acceptable as it will not impact on the use of the balance of the land for agriculture.

“The proposed use is considered small in scale, and appropriately located within close proximity to the existing dwelling.

The report to council said the proposal had been reviewed by council’s traffic engineers who were satisfied the proposal would not significantly increase traffic along North Jindivick Rd.

Cr Keith Cook said this application was for a small, boutique rare plants nursery.

He acknowledged concerns raised by objectors about the road, but he said people who used country roads respected rural road conditions.

He said he had no concern about what was happening on the roads servicing the nursery at this stage.

Cr Jessica O’Donnell said this had been a “long and emotive journey.”

She said council had heard concerns about the road and the impact on amenity but had also heard this nursery would be great for the business community.

Cr Danny Goss said this was an allowable use in the zone and he could not see it causing detriment to others.

“These people are long standing and respectable members of our community and have done a lot for the local community.

“This is a rare plant nursery. It’s a specialised nursery. You can’t get a better setting for a nursery and it’s a natural fit,” he said.

Cr Goss said the nursery clearly needed to be open during open garden days because it was a “natural day to sell plants.”

The motion to approve the application was carried five votes to four.