Berwick wants its councillors to take a stand

By Elizabeth Hart
BUSINESS owners in Berwick are demanding Edrington Ward councillors declare their views on a controversial proposal for a convention centre and supermarket near the entrance to the village.
Councillors Daniel Mulino and Simon Curtis are facing pressure from residents and the business sector to take a stand in the council meetings on behalf of those opposed to the Harmon Group development in its present form.
More than 200 objections are now with Casey Council, following a crowded public protest meeting last Friday week.
The number of objections could reach 500, Berwick Village Chamber of Commerce vice president Annette Aldersea told the chamber meeting on Monday.
The two councillors’ views remain unclear, as the protests heat up.
Speaking at Monday’s chamber meeting, Cr Mulino said it was “legally difficult” and “dangerous” for councillors to state publicly the way they would vote, and that councillors had received legal advice to that effect.
Cr Curtis told the Gazette he was unable to pre-empt what his vote would be when the officers report back to the council for a decision in the coming months.
Cr Mulino said he had yet to see all the information about the proposal and that other councillors knew little about it.
Representing Akoonah Park at the chamber meeting on Monday, Peter O’Hagen said the councillors’ job was to represent residents.
“We have elected you, and at a meeting we’re told you can’t tell the people which way you’ll vote.”
Cr Mulino said he and Cr Curtis had found the objections so far “persuasive”, and that traffic congestion and the height of the building were problems.
Residents and the commercial sector oppose the height, parking concessions, and the supermarket.
But most favour a convention centre and five-star hotel with a few specialist shops.
The site is at the entrance to Berwick village, opposite the heritage listed Berwick Inn, and is zoned Business One. This enables retail stores, including a supermarket.
A permit provides approval for general use of space but does not define particular types of retail activity.
State Government planning policy will weigh in on Casey Council’s assessment of the application.
The Government’s Melbourne 2030 strategy identifies Berwick as a major activity centre.
Casey Council officers have declined to say publicly whether the plan on show complies with local planning regulations, all of which are to face greater State Government intervention under the 2030 strategy.
The proposal requests fewer parking spaces than would otherwise apply, for which there are precedents in Berwick Village.
Businesses say that would increase parking congestion in already clogged areas near existing businesses.
Council’s traffic engineers will comment on parking as part of the officers’ final report to council.
Planning manager Duncan Turner said council was required to weigh up both the state and local planning policies in its decision.
Cr Mulino told the chamber members on Monday he would vote independently on the officers’ recommendation, refuting a suggestion that the deal was done for the Lyall Road proposal to proceed because of prior approval by the State Planning Minister.