A GROUP that acts in an advisory capacity over the development and progression of Red Cliffs says it is disappointed that it wasn’t consulted over a proposed 24-hour service station before it was approved by Mildura Council.
The Red Cliffs Focus Group said it was not supportive of the development which was approved by councillors following a lengthy debate at its April meeting despite being recommended for refusal by council planning staff.
Some councillors questioned the need for the service station in a farming zone on the Calder Highway, however others deemed the proposal “appropriate” and supportive of the development of the Red Cliffs community.
The servo will contain various convenience shop options, bathroom facilities and limited food options, as well as eight bowsers, 10 car parking spaces at the front, and an additional 10 car parks and two caravan parking spaces at the rear.
However, Red Cliffs Focus Group president Brendan Murray said the advisory body first learned of the project after its approval was published in Sunraysia Daily.
Mr Murray said the group would have welcomed an opportunity to have some input into the proposal.
“We don’t believe we need a third service station in Red Cliffs let alone a 24-hour one,” Mr Murray said this week.
“If it was a farming issue … that’s a farming process taking place, whereas this is a commercial development and being 24-hours there will be lots of comings and goings and noises and so forth,” he said.
“At the end of the day because it’s a planning matter and the planning department said ‘no’, you’re probably not going to hear much from individual councillors.
“It’s our belief that it’s not needed, (but) we don’t get listened to anymore.”
Mr Murray said the group believe the 24-hour service station would impact the two remaining service stations in the town as well as the Sunnycliffs Store “and then just that noise factor”.
“As far as we could see there was no notice of development placed on the site letting us know that there was a planning issue and it was going to council and I’m pretty sure that’s the normal procedure,” he said.
“We’re probably not always notified, but being the advisory group to council we thought maybe something may have been mentioned.
“There are certain things that we like to have an input into, in regards to developing Red Cliffs and progressing the town.
He said the group “certainly would” have welcomed an opportunity to provide input.
Mr Murray said the focus group intended to “put in some correspondence” with the council in relation to the consultation process.
