By Corey Everitt
The question of the State Government’s stringent industrial zoning emerged in council that resulted in the overturning of a motion to reject a Martial Arts Club.
During Monday’s Town Planning Meeting, council considered a motion to reject a proposed Martial Arts Club on O’Sullivan Road, Pakenham.
Council officers argued the recreational facility did not ‘appropriately respond’ to the industrial zoning of the area, specifically the stamp of ‘State Significant Industrial Land’ (SSIL).
The SSIL is designated by the State Government for a handful of areas in Victoria which will play a significant role in the State’s future industry. Running mostly south of the freeway, large parts of Officer South to Pakenham have been designated SSIL.
The need to protect this zoning has been applied in numerous rejections over the past year, from places of worship to the State Government stepping in to reject a Costco in Officer South.
Frustrations boiled with the zoning as Cr Kaye Cameron moved an alternate motion to approve a permit for the Martial Arts Club.
The motion to support was premised on the permit of the applicant being restricted to just two years, allowing the club to function in that time without permanently occupying the industrial site.
Cr Cameron argued that the current state of the surrounding development, the community support for the project, its minimal operation within business hours and adequate car parking made the proposal worth supporting.
Cr Colin Ross seconded the motion and found these industrial zoning matters ‘astounding’.
“I’ve seen many applications come in in this area and it’s been stamped by the State Government,” he said.
“Which limits council hugely in approving these areas. When I drive around these areas I have a look, there are storage places that employ three people, there are other businesses who employ nobody at all.
“And yet we have got businesses who want come in the area like this one, who are going to actively be using the premises in mostly off-peak periods.
“I find it amazing that they are going to employ people, they are active in the community, they are to do with safety, no one objects to them at all, and yet we are bound as a council to go along with this State Significant Industrial Precinct.”
Other councillors were supportive of the proposal, but still emphasised the need to protect industry, as purposed by the two-year limit.
“I think it finds a good balance between this council making an effective and legitimate planning decision which were invested upon in our duties, but also acknowledging the community and community sentiment,” Cr Jeff Srpingfield said.
“The two year interim permit for having a timeframe is appropriate because as yet a lot of this land hasn’t been developed to its full potential.”
“But we can’t ignore the State Government even if we disagree with it, we are here under the planning scheme, to make decisions under the planning scheme guidelines.”
Cr Cameron’s alternate motion was carried unanimously.
