Reception centre bid rejected again

Tensions were high at last week’s Capel Shire Council meeting when the development application for a proposed reception centre at Lot 802 Tuart Drive in Ludlow was rejected for a second time.

The refusal is the latest chapter of what has become a see-sawing sequence of to-ing and fro-ing between the council and the Deale family, the owners of True Blue Turf and the proposed site of the reception centre.

Arguments on both sides of the debate were presented and heard by the council, including a presentation from James Deale, who voiced his disdain for the shire staff but emphasised he held hope for chief executive Ian McCabe.

“I also know the staff has mentioned the cost to the shire if they have to deal with complaints,” he said.

“Could that be the reason the staff are being recommended not to approve, because it possibly could become a reality that they have to go out and do something.”

The application was originally refused at the July 25 council meeting last year on the grounds the development would result in land-use conflicts and would not meet the objectives of a Rural Zoned area, it did not meet planning and development regulations of the State Planning Policy, and there was inadequate information relating to the effect the development would have on the environment.

Mr Deale’s presentation also delved into the details and amendments made to the application under the recommendation of the State Administrative Tribunal following an appeal lodged in early August 2018, including a reduced number of functions and halving the maximum amount of guests from 400 to 200.

After listening to all the presentations for and against, the application was rejected 6-1 by the council.

“I’m still not satisfied there’s an undue adverse impact on the amenity of the area given it is a secluded, rural area,” Cr Michael Southwell said before the vote.

The Deale family declined to comment.