Plans for a new camping and caravan park in the small Victorian community of Diggers Rest to Melbourne’s north west have run into a brick wall.
Melton City Council has just rejected application to develop an 85-site park on an 18-hectare block along the Old Calder Highway. It cited concerns about the site becoming a ‘stealthy’ residential development and having ‘irreversible’ impacts on nearby properties.
In their report, council officers said a camping and caravan park was not in line with the objectives of the green wedge zone in which the site is located.
“Of major concern to objectors is the potential for the subject site being used for residential purposes, raising the potential for residential development by stealth,” the report said. “Given that there is no ability to limit the length of time that camping and caravan park sites can be occupied, there is always the potential for them to become sites for low-cost, long-term accommodation.”
However, the applicant Dean Slaviero told the Star Weekly newspaper that he was talking with his lawyers and ‘considering all options’.
“I’ve put a years’ worth of effort in this,” Mr Slaviero said. “I’m trying to do something positive for the Diggers Rest community to attract tourism … the Diggers Rest hotel will offer luxury accommodation and I was hoping to offer mid-budget accommodation.”
Mr Slaviero has previously said that he wanted the caravan and camping area to be a community asset for the town that would further enhance its reputation as the gateway to the Macedon Ranges.
Melton City Council said it had received 140 objections to the application with some nearby residents concerned about the site potentially attracting permanent residents, devaluing properties, and impacting on the rebuilding of the heritage-listed Diggers Rest Hotel on an adjoining site.
“A camping and caravan park should be located further from an urban growth boundary to maintain the distinct character of Diggers Rest township,” the council report stated.
Don’t have permanent accommodation available, only tourism.
Another Victorian council gone crazy. If they want our tourism dollar then they should try to make us feel welcome. Seems to be a problem with most of the Victorian local councils. Maybe that’s why a lot of their regional areas are struggling.
Not at all surprised by this Melton council are extremely difficult to get anything from. As a resident in the melton area and a caravaner, l am well aware of the very limited number of caravan sites within the Melton area.
Dean you should get support from the rest of the town 140 objectors is not a big deal you probably have one or two real objectors with a 138 friends .
If they only allow tourists they will go broke as all the tourists are up in Queensland!!
Easily fixed. Don’t allow long term or permanent sites.
It’s easy to stipulate tourism only in permission. It is a well researched fact that providing accommodation for tourists brings the ‘tourist dollar’ and not to be sniffed at.
Get over yourselves tourism brings in bid dollars and people to the towns remember one day some of these tourist may like to settle there think of the big picture not the tiny box
Easy fix ! Don’t allow permanent tenants! Make it holiday /tourists only with a maximum stay of a set amount of time enforced by Council !
Yes no permanent residents
Another reason why we wontbe staying in Vic. Soon your regional areas will close shop. Gray nomads means big dollars for the shopkeepers and comunity. Will spend my dollars where we are welcomed and watch businesses collapse.
The council is spot on with their decision to deny the development. The community should be happy their future is being looked after.
There are plenty of caravan parks around that do not allow permanent residents so come on council take this into consideration and have a rethink. Here is someone trying to bring people to your town for the benefit of the community, give them a go.
was going to have a couple of days rest & restock at Diggers Rest on our way through last year. No caravan park so moved on. Surely the council can see that the whole community benefits