The plan to redevelop a service station in Toolern Vale was knocked back by Melton council, with the application receiving 27 community objections.
A planning application was made for building and works associated with an existing service station at 1486–1490 Diggers Rest–Coimadai road in Toolern Vale.
The application proposed turning the site into a service station, convenience store, and food and drink premises, with other additions including internally illuminated pylon signage.
The site contains the Toolern Vale General Store.
The application proposed a service station, convenience shop, a food and drink premises with 22-patron capacity, and a drive-through proposed to operate 6am to midnight seven days a week.
Melton director of city futures Sam Romaszko said that council officers believed the proposal “does not appropriately respond to the rural … character of the area, and would adversely affect the amenity of the surrounding … residential area.”
At the June 23 council meeting, councillor Sophie Ramsey rhetorically questioned how the applicant “actually think that the hours of operation can go to until midnight in a low-residential area?”
Councillor Julie Shannon said the current service station is “used quite a lot,” and that it is in need of repair or replacement.
“I would love to see something happen there … I encourage the applicant to continue with another permit and work on something maybe that’s a little bit smaller or … that would actually fit in with the area [and] that is also something that would be beneficial,” Cr Shannon said.
The councillors voted in favour of rejecting the planning application.
