Car wash plan watered down

By Melissa Grant
A DEVELOPER’S bid to open a 24-hour car wash in Pakenham’s Heritage Springs’ Estate has failed, with councillors voting to restrict the hours of operation from 7am to 11pm.
The car wash, to feature five wash bays including an automatic one, will be constructed at 1 Livingstone Boulevard, despite five objections.
Those residents were concerned that the development was inappropriate for the area, may exacerbate traffic and safety issues and devalue surrounding properties.
They were also worried that the car wash could encourage anti-social behaviour.
The council officer’s recommendation was to limit the hours of operation to 7am to 11pm seven days a week to prevent any adverse noise issues occurring at the “most sensitive times of the day”. Councillor Graeme Legge attempted to have the operating hours increased to 5am to 1am but his motion failed to get enough support from his colleagues.
Cr Legge said the applicant, from Parklea, had assured that there would be adequate security on site, including four mobile patrols between 11pm and 4.45am.
“I’m really pleased to see that security provision,” he said.
Cr Stuart Halligan agreed.
“It’s obvious that the applicant is going to extra trouble to make the system work,” he said.
However, Cr Brett Owen said more than an assurance was needed when it came to security.
“The applicant can decide ‘I’ve got my permit, I’m not going to employ these security people any more’,” he said. Cr Owen was also concerned that a 5am to 1am set-up would destroy the amenity of nearby residents.
“There’s the noise associated with people pulling up in vehicles, possibly with loud music blaring from their cars,” he said.
Cr Collin Ross said restricting the car wash’s opening hours from 7am to 11pm would be the more “family-friendly option”.
He added that previously a childcare centre had been approved for the site, meaning few residents would have expected a night-time car wash to open there when purchasing their homes.
Civic leaders approved a 7am to 11pm operation with a long-list of conditions and on the proviso that a location of CCTV be provided on the floor plan.