Lyall St ruling close

By Jade Lawton
THE fate of plans for a six-level supermarket, hotel and office development for the corner of Lyall Road in Berwick may be decided in March.
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Appeals Tribunal (VCAT) is scheduled to rule on the controversial development on 15 March.
Casey councillors voted unanimously against the proposal, which attracted 337 objections, in August.
Council officers said the proposal was inconsistent with Berwick Village’s neighbourhood character, did not deal with parking or traffic concerns, and could affect the amenity of the adjoining residential area.
But the developer, Paul Harmon of Harmon Group, said the complex would provide hundreds of long-term jobs for the area and boost Berwick’s retail industry.
Berwick Village Chamber of Commerce President Harry Hutchinson said the chamber had its fingers crossed for a positive outcome.
“We are looking forward to a satisfactory result on that – we are hoping that, with modifications, the development will be approved and up as soon as possible,” he said.
“At the moment that site is looking terrible.” Mr Hutchinson said he understood the developers were making modifications to the original plans that were rejected by Casey Council last year.
Meanwhile, Annette Aldersea of the Residents, Ratepayers and Friends of Berwick Village Inc, said the group hoped to view the amended plans at least six weeks before the hearing.
“We cannot comment on these changes as what they are is unknown until the amended plans are available,” she said.
Mrs Aldersea said the council and VCAT had received about 60 statements so far.