Last stand on Lyall Road

By Jade Lawton
The six-level hotel, retail, office and supermarket complex was initially rejected by council, with VCAT overturning the decision earlier this year.
The Residents, Ratepayers and Friends of Berwick Village Incorporated (RRFBVI) then discovered a Section 173 agreement had been placed on the title in 1990, decreeing any development must complement Berwick’s village atmosphere.
RRFBVI president Annette Aldersea urged the council to take advantage of their ‘last chance.’
“As VCAT’s ruling to grant a planning permit cannot come into effect until the (Section) 173 Agreement is removed from the title, council must make the most of this opportunity to negotiate planning conditions and discuss amendments with the developer,” she said.
The council will decide whether or not to lift the 20-year-old Section 173 agreement at its Tuesday 20 July meeting.