UPDATE 3.00PM Objectors to the Aspire precinct are disappointed with VCAT’s decision to approve the development.
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Speaking on behalf of a group of residents who pursued a legal challenge to the interfaith precinct, Max Turner said it was pleasing VCAT had listened to their concerns by amending the permit with 18 conditions.
Mr Turner said the City of Greater Bendigo’s “dumbed down” approach to suggest objectors simply wanted a car park in front of our house was “insulting to us all”.
“Councils planning scheme suggests that residents living near the interface should be treated differently to residents in the suburbs are both ridiculous and preposterous. Many have lived in the Cathedral precinct and the interface with the CBD for decades and have witnessed the steady increase in traffic congestion and declining parking availability, whilst our rates have increased dramatically,” he said.
Mr Turner suggested the constant waiving of car parking requirements by past and present councils for significant developments “will impact on parking in the CBD for years to come”.
He also confirmed the group would not challenge the VCAT decision.
UPDATE: 1.30PM In granting a permit for a interfaith precinct in central Bendigo, VCAT member Geoffrey Rundell said issues with car parking and amenity of surrounding areas were outweighed by the social and economic benefit of the development.
A group of residents had challenged the City of Greater Bendigo’s decision to approve the multi-million dollar project adjacent to the Sacred Heart Cathedral.
Concerns centered on the decision to waive car parking requirements for the development, amenity and noise impacts and traffic congestion in an increasingly populated area.
Member Rundell said: “I think that while there are threats to their residential amenity, they are very limited. There is car parking available in the area, particularly after lunchtimes. The place of assembly will be relatively small in terms of patron numbers, and its hours are modest. Its isolation from the entertainment precinct, and its association with the church will further limit the threats. The threats of noise and poor behaviour can be managed through various permit conditions.”
“I am satisfied that the limited amenity threats are significantly outweighed by the social and economic benefits to Bendigo. Poor quality buildings will be refurbished and the new buildings will make a positive contribution to High Street, without diminishing the splendour of the heritage cathedral. No valuable heritage fabric will be removed or altered.”
On the issue of parking, Member Rundell said even in a worst-case scenario he was not persuaded residents living near the site “will be adversely affected to an unreasonable degree”.
“Most of the nearby dwellings have their own crossover, driveway and the capacity to park several cars on their properties. The occupiers and visitors to the dwellings will be able to continue to park on their properties. Most residential visitors arrive at night and on the weekends when parking is not a problem,” he said.
He said the financial contribution of $150,000 the Aspire Foundation had to pay the council in lieu of not providing 14 parking spaces would help create alternative transport options.
The permit will allow the site to be used by up to 270 patrons.
The development will include a theatre, library, a small shop, a cafe and a parish hall.
As part of the permit, a liquor licence will allow alcohol to be served in the parish hall and its foyer, and in the café, foyer and part of the outdoor entry area of the education/learning centre.
Alcohol can be served from Monday – Thursday and Sunday between 10 am and 10:30pm; and Friday and Saturday between 10 am and 11:30pm.
Member Rundell said 15 properties on the east side of Short Street were within 100 metres of the parish hall and could be impacted by the development and its associated liquor licence, but suggested it would be “limited”.
“There are positive factors that I think limit the risks to the amenity of the nearby dwellings from serving liquor,” he said.
“The hall is not within a pristine residential setting. The cathedral and the parish hall are substantial community facilities that have provided a venue to celebrate the life and times of Bendigo and its people. This necessarily involves crowds, noise, rowdy behaviour from time to time to celebrate joy and to mourn and grieve.
“The residents who choose to live opposite the cathedral benefit by living close to a wonderful building and to the many facilities of the Bendigo CBD. They should expect and probably already tolerate some noise and disruption from time to time.”
Member Rundell did suggested however that the development was “not a large nightclub with many hundreds of patrons”.
As a condition of the permit, member Rundell directed the City of Greater Bendigo to undertake a bus parking management plan for the Aspire site, following objectors concerns with dangerous and illegal double parking of larger vehicles in the area.
EARLIER The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal has given the green light for the development of the Aspire precinct.
VCAT has granted a permit for the development, on the corner of Short and High streets in central Bendigo.
A group of residents took the matter to VCAT after City of Greater Bendigo councillors voted in favour of the development, which also waived the requirement to create 40 car parks at the site.
The tribunal upheld the council’s decision to waive all parking spaces for the site and apply a condition requiring a financial contribution for 14 spaces.
The tribunal included several additional conditions relating to hours of operation, deliveries, waste management, bus parking, signage and matters relating to the liquor licence for the site, which will further limit risks to the amenity of nearby residential properties.
City of Great Bendigo director of strategy and growth Bernie O’Sullivan said he was pleased the tribunal had upheld council’s decision to allow the development to proceed.
“Council carefully considered the arguments for and against this development and the tribunal’s decision shows that Council made the right call,” Mr O’Sullivan said.
“We are pleased that the Aspire Precinct Cultural Foundation can move forward with its development, in line with permit conditions.”
The permit states that work must start within two years and be completed within four years.
The Aspire Cultural and Charitable Foundation chairman, Gordon McKern, welcomed today’s decision from VCAT regarding the development of the Aspire Precinct adjacent to the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Bendigo.
“The Aspire Board are pleased that the permit has been granted and will work with the conditions stated,” Mr McKern said.
“Much of which is part of the normal planning processes in terms of hours of business, liquor license, acoustic plan, bus loading plan, loading and unloading plans, construction plan etc.”
“This space will be used to for community events and activities; for social and educational activities and enable the stories of the goldfields to be told.
“It also presents an opportunity for the creative industries of our area to also display and exhibit at various times.
“The foundation will work with the surrounding residents and hope that this precinct will add to the beauty of Bendigo and its grand buildings.”
Aspire Foundation is calling for donations towards the major project, which can be made online at aspirefoundation.org.au
