Jack Werrett
A proposed funeral parlour in a Woodend residential area was knocked back at a Macedon Ranges Council meeting on Wednesday night, despite a recommendation by a planning officer to approve the application.
An alternate resolution calling for the planning permit to be refused was proposed by West Ward councillor Jennifer Anderson, with the motion seconded by South Ward councillor John Letchford.
A vote ensued, with the new motion denying the planning permit for the funeral parlour on the corner of Jeffrey St and Forest St carried easily, eight votes to one.
The result was met with resounding applause and cheers from residents surrounding the proposed site who had gathered in strong numbers at the meeting to voice their concerns about the venture.
Both Cr Anderson and Cr Letchford, along with South Ward councillor Russell Mowatt, spoke against the proposal for the parlour.
Libby Moloney, the proposal had to be turned down on planning grounds, "as it allowed for commercial land use in an area that has a residential focus".
Cr Mowatt said the proposed location of the funeral parlour was inappropriate "as it would intrude on the neighbourhood character and identity of the residential area and put it at risk for future generations".
West Ward councillor, John Connor, was the only councillor to speak in favour of the proposed funeral parlour. He commended the applicant and referred to the need for such a service in the Woodend community.
Earlier, emotions were on show as those for and against the proposed funeral parlour had their say.
Residents of Jeffrey St who would neighbour the proposed parlour voiced their concerns about impact of a funeral parlour business in a residential zone.
The issues of traffic, parking and noise were points all raised by residents along with their major argument concerning the commercial use of land in a residential zone.
Those for the funeral parlour included local Woodend GP, Dr Anne-Marie Elliott, who outlined the need for a local funeral parlour in an aging community, and Shevaun Noonan, a Woodend resident who is terminally ill. Ms Noonan gave a moving address regarding how the proposed business responds to her needs.
Applicant Libby Moloney was the last speaker to address the council and called on the councillors to make a brave decision and approve what she described as a business that is here "to support and serve the community".
Ms Moloney told the Guardian she was "deeply saddened" by the outcome.
"I'm astounded that our elected representatives could be influenced by such a small group of residents without regard for the broader social good," she said.
"To dismiss the planning officer's recommendation for what appears to be political gain makes me ashamed of our shire and I seriously question what value they place on the professionalism of their own planning department.
"I have lived here all my life and I am beginning to despair for what is becoming of our town."
While Ms Moloney could not say whether she would be appealing the decision, she told the Guardian this morning that she has had overwhelming support to do so.
A proposed funeral parlour in a Woodend residential area was knocked back at a Macedon Ranges Council meeting on Wednesday night, despite a recommendation by a planning officer to approve the application.
An alternate resolution calling for the planning permit to be refused was proposed by West Ward councillor Jennifer Anderson, with the motion seconded by South Ward councillor John Letchford.
A vote ensued, with the new motion denying the planning permit for the funeral parlour on the corner of Jeffrey St and Forest St carried easily, eight votes to one.
The result was met with resounding applause and cheers from residents surrounding the proposed site who had gathered in strong numbers at the meeting to voice their concerns about the venture.
Both Cr Anderson and Cr Letchford, along with South Ward councillor Russell Mowatt, spoke against the proposal for the parlour.
Libby Moloney, the proposal had to be turned down on planning grounds, "as it allowed for commercial land use in an area that has a residential focus".
Cr Mowatt said the proposed location of the funeral parlour was inappropriate "as it would intrude on the neighbourhood character and identity of the residential area and put it at risk for future generations".
West Ward councillor, John Connor, was the only councillor to speak in favour of the proposed funeral parlour. He commended the applicant and referred to the need for such a service in the Woodend community.
Earlier, emotions were on show as those for and against the proposed funeral parlour had their say.
Residents of Jeffrey St who would neighbour the proposed parlour voiced their concerns about impact of a funeral parlour business in a residential zone.
The issues of traffic, parking and noise were points all raised by residents along with their major argument concerning the commercial use of land in a residential zone.
Those for the funeral parlour included local Woodend GP, Dr Anne-Marie Elliott, who outlined the need for a local funeral parlour in an aging community, and Shevaun Noonan, a Woodend resident who is terminally ill. Ms Noonan gave a moving address regarding how the proposed business responds to her needs.
Applicant Libby Moloney was the last speaker to address the council and called on the councillors to make a brave decision and approve what she described as a business that is here "to support and serve the community".
Ms Moloney told the Guardian she was "deeply saddened" by the outcome.
"I'm astounded that our elected representatives could be influenced by such a small group of residents without regard for the broader social good," she said.
"To dismiss the planning officer's recommendation for what appears to be political gain makes me ashamed of our shire and I seriously question what value they place on the professionalism of their own planning department.
"I have lived here all my life and I am beginning to despair for what is becoming of our town."
While Ms Moloney could not say whether she would be appealing the decision, she told the Guardian this morning that she has had overwhelming support to do so.
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