Bacchus Marsh residents fear Gisborne Road will be unable to cope with increased traffic if plans for a Bunnings Warehouse are approved.
“We’re a growing town. I think it’ll improve our shopping choices, but our main worry is its location,” business owner Malcolm Trask said.
Mr Trask said he had reservations about the proposed position cited in a Moorabool council briefing note.
“Gisborne Road is already at capacity – it’ll just create more congestion at the northern end.”
The briefing note details a combined planning permit for the construction of a 9534-square-metre Bunnings store and
229 car spaces at 101 Gisborne Road.
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A report stated the Moorabool planning scheme would need to be amended and the land rezoned commercial 2 before construction could begin.
Mayor Paul Tatchell said he was frustrated by objections to development in Moorabool, as business growth helped promote the region. “If we had the attitude where we don’t let anyone new in town, then what happens? We just stay still.”
The report stated that “substantial escape expenditure” was being lost to Melton.
Mr Trask said it was a good thing people would be able to do more shopping locally, with the closest Bunnings at Melton’s Woodgrove shopping centre.
“It may have an effect on existing businesses, but our town’s growing at such an exponential rate, there’s room for everyone.”
Mr Trask said he understood the location’s appeal as “the largest available flat land”.
Bunnings chief operating officer Peter Davis confirmed a development application was being lodged for the “well-positioned site”. “The development of this store is in the very early planning stages and we look forward to working closely with council and the local community throughout this process.”
