Funeral director, Libby Moloney, is proposing a funeral parlour at Forest Street, Woodend, which she said is an ideal location.
Woodend residents opposed to a funeral parlour application in a Residential 1 Zone are awaiting the outcome of next week's council meeting. Photo: Chris Fleming
Kylie Kitchen
A funeral parlour application in residential Woodend will
come before council next Wednesday.
Macedon Ranges Council has received a
number of submissions to the proposal, from local supporters and objecting
neighbours.
The application is for a 'change of use' permit to allow for body
storage, preparation and viewing, and funeral planning to take place at the
dwelling.
Residents have submitted objections to the proposal arguing against
location suitability, noise, smell, and traffic.
Applicant, funeral director
and Woodend resident, Libby Moloney of Tirra Funerals, said the business is
well-suited to the Forest Street area.
"Given the home-based nature of my
work, to find a home nestled in that mixed use already makes it the perfect
place," she said.
"The stretch between High Street and Forest Street is
already a mixed use zone with the church, police station, court house,
historical society."
Ms Moloney said the nature of her business is
discrete.
"Most of my business in in the people's homes - it's gentle,
quiet," she said.
"It's an integrated end of life, after death and funeral
care service.
"We walk along the journey with the family (from palliative to
care to the funeral service) and be a support throughout the journey."
Ms
Moloney said the proposal is about offering a personal, home-based and green
funeral service.
"Very, very soon the Macedon Ranges is going to need another
funeral parlour," she said.
"You could get a McDonalds type one in an
industrial area or you can get me.
"I've received incredible support. Our
community really wants natural, sustainable end of life options and I'm here to
offer them."
Families living in Forest and Jefferys streets said they are
dismayed at the prospect of a mortuary among their homes.
Neighbours fear
that if the application is passed it will set a precedent for commercial ribbon
development along Woodend's main entrances.
One neighbour said the developer
should take advantage of vacant commercial land in the town's centre.
"Why
take up cheaper housing sites for commerce in our residential areas? We can't
understand why such an application is even being considered in a residential
area.
"If passed, a precedent is set for further unwelcome commercial
development along Forest Street.
"The loss of housing sites to commerce puts
tremendous pressure on council's stated aim of keeping future growth within
present town boundaries and places rural land at risk of development."
Some
residents said the application is inconsistent with Residential One Zoning that
sets out to "encourage residential development that respects neighbourhood
character".
"The shire's stated policy is to avoid expansion along major
entry roads and to keep business development in the centre of town," a neighbour
said.
"Why should we have a mortuary among one of the most historic and
attractive streets in our town?"
