Council gives green light, but developer Ron sees red

By Callan Date
A DOVETON developer has slammed Casey Council officers for trying to thwart plans to rejuvenate the Freeway Sports Centre precinct.
Ron Harrison has spoken out after officers recommended a refusal for a new zoning agreement for his land at the corner of Princes Highway and South Gippsland Freeway.
Although the recommendation was overturned and the new zoning given the green light by a majority of councillors at last week’s Planning Committee meeting, Mr Harrison said he was still angry with Casey planners. He said he was thankful that councillors saw what he was trying to do for the area with the proposed revamp.
“This has now been rectified and I am grateful the councillors had the foresight, understanding and knowledge of area and to see what I was truly on about achieving,” Mr Harrison said.
A 128-room hotel, dubbed Chifley Dandenong, is being built on the site and is expected to be finished early next year.
Mr Harrison said he had lodged the application so the development would have less retail restrictions imposed on it.
Council officers reported that the new agreement would have an adverse impact on several neighbouring shopping areas. “The subject proposal has the potential to adversely impact on the economic viability and community role of three existing centres nearby: Autumn Place Neighbourhood Activity Centre, and Linden Place and Llewellyn Place Convenience Activity Centres,” the report said.
Chifley Dandenong officials say the project will serve surrounding businesses by offering accessible public spaces including bars, a restaurant and cafe and two conference rooms each with a capacity for up to 140 delegates in a theatre-style area.
Casey manager of planning Duncan Turner said the new agreement now only restricts a supermarket being built on the land. “The original agreement limited the type of uses that could be applied for on the site,” he said.
Mr Harrison said he had no plans to compete for business with the smaller centres.
“We will be bringing people into the area. We have got a four-and-a-half star hotel here,” he said.
“This is something very different and it will work in unison with them. Everybody should be really happy.”