SUBWAY has been given the green light to build a $1.5 million 24-hour outlet in Robinvale despite a “significant” number of objections.
Swan Hill Rural City councillors voted unanimously this week in favour of the Bromley Road proposal which will include a restaurant, alfresco dining area and drive-thru facilities.
Councillors were told the subject land, adjacent to Bill McGinty Park, had been bought by the council for “strategic purposes” some years ago, potentially for future community or tourist use.
A report tabled at this week’s meeting said the land is located in an area that is characterised by various different land uses such as shops, a service station, parkland, a motel, a museum, police station and the Country Fire Authority.
It said that given the variety of commercial uses in the vicinity of the land, it was considered that the proposal was appropriate for the location.
But councillors were told there had been a significant number of objections to the plan, including site suitability, safety and traffic issues and impact on the neighbourhood character.
Robinvale-based councillor Jade Benham said the matter had been an ongoing and contentious issue for almost two years.
“There are many, many prongs to this fork,” Cr Benham said.
“There are a number of arguments for and against, most of which are valid, some of which are not,” she said.
“As councillors and as council today, we are acting not with emotion or sentiment, however difficult that might be particularly after hearing passionate objections and support, but as visionaries towards the future.”
Cr Benham said councillors had taken on board “all kinds of feedback” including formal written objections, letters of support, emails and conversations within the community.
“Obviously we have to take into account all of the varied community feedback and formal objections and support for this application, but at the end of the day, we as councillors are elected representatives to make these decisions,” she said.
“We have just all been newly elected based on the fact that we support growth, progress and development.
“A new development in this area will help to activate the whole area on the west side of Bromley Road which could very quickly lead to the need for additions to McGinty Park which has been under-utilised for many years.
“It sends a message to the private sector that Swan Hill Rural City Council is open for business.
“The entire municipality is booming, particularly Robinvale out on the blocks – the economic development that is growing on vines and trees in Robinvale is incredible and the town does have some catching up to do, so this should be considered a green light.”
