By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
PLANS for a funeral parlour in Narre Warren South are one step closer to becoming a reality, after Casey Council this week rescinded a decision made last month not to grant a planning permit.
The City of Casey reversed its previous decision at a Planning Committee Meeting on Tuesday night, with council now voting in favour of granting the planning permit to Bereavement Assistance Pty Ltd, which wants to develop the funeral parlour at 236 Cranbourne Road, near Pound Road.
Local residents have previously voiced their concerns that the seven-metre tall funeral parlour will overlook their homes, increase traffic and affect the amenity of their community.
Cr Damien Rosario, also the planning committee chairman, voted in favour of granting the permit but foreshadowed the issue being played out at VCAT.
“Everyone has the right to apply under the Planning and Environment Act. The application is investigated under those criteria,” he said.
“As Chairman of the Planning Committee, I did not feel the previous decision was a responsible decision and I did feel there was some emotion behind the original decision so I put forward the rescission to give time for fellow councillors to reflect.
“When introducing the item this week, I said it’s been a month, everyone’s had time to reflect on it and recognise it on its planning merits.
“This application is destined for VCAT, as I understand it the objectors said they will challenge this at VCAT, and the applicants said a similar thing if it didn’t go their way.”
Council voted 6-5 on Tuesday to reverse the previous decision to deny the permit, made on 8 July.
The funeral parlour would operate Monday to Friday with up to two funerals a day, and cater for 80 people, including eight staff, but would not have a crematorium.
Nearby resident Sam Marcuccio, who has been outspoken in his opposition to the mortuary, questioned council’s decision to rescind the original motion.
He said the community’s amenity would be “taken away” if a funeral parlour was built on the empty site.
“Even though we are in a low residential zone, people buy here because they are lifestyle properties. The fact is that the amenity will be taken away,” he said.
“We will see a seven-metre high building, twice as high as every other building, standing over the backyard where my kids play.
“All the objectors are willing to go to the Supreme Court if that’s as far as it has to go.”
Bereavement Assistance business manager Adrian Gillman welcomed council’s reversal and acknowledged the right of the objectors to take the matter further.
“We’re just really pleased we’ve received the support of Casey Council and that we can help the local community out there,” he said.
“Everyone has their right, that’s why we live in country we live in. Everyone has the right to object and have their say.”
