Melbourne Friends of the Earth Press Release: Dec 21 2010
After a 10 day hearing in which 13 experts gave evidence, the Victorian Civil and Adminstrative Tribunal (VCAT) has overturned Council's decision to grant a planning permit to allow a controversial golf course relocation to be built in close proximity to Melbourne's water supply. The Eastern Golf Club has been planning to move from their current location at Doncaster to a new location at Yering for the past few years.
The $70 million relocation was opposed in VCAT by Friends of the Earth Inc, Healesville Environment Watch Inc and Bill Boerkamp. The relocation had been approved by Yarra Ranges Shire Council and Melbourne Water.
The redevelopment was refused largely because according to VCAT “design elements in the floodplain were not resolved, particularly an evacuation route during floods”. The tribunal also stated that “A substantial bridge and associated mounding tabled by the Eastern Golf Club late in the hearing to address the evacuation route is uncertain in its form and impact”. VCAT also found that water quality issues needed to be dealt with in more detail than in the original approval.
Friends of the Earth Spokesperson Anthony Amis said “It is incredible that Yarra Ranges Shire Council, Melbourne Water, Greg Norman Course Design & numerous consultants would have contemplated access to a site through 5 metres of potential floodwater. Why was it up to community groups to highlight this glaring omission?” Mr Amis said.
Mr Amis added “Our concerns about widespread pesticide application above the offtake to Melbourne's drinking water were also taken on board by the VCAT in its decision. Strict conditions around pesticide use, including a rigorous assessment of individual pesticides and a monitoring regime, would have been required if VCAT had approved the development.”
Felicity Millner, Solictor from the Environment Defenders Office who acted Friends of the Earth said “This decision is a great outcome for the environment of the Yarra River and shows the value of public particpation in planning decisions. As a result of the objectors pursuing their concerns in VCAT, an inappropriately located development has been refused, and the need to consider water quality impacts in detail at a planning permit stage has been recognised in the decision.