Key points
- Parklea Developments has lost a bid to build a large caravan park and tourism resort near Nagambie.
- Victoria’s planning tribunal knocked back the proposal because it was too big, citing concerns about the environment.
- A residents group hailed the decision, saying the proposed project was in the wrong location.
A major developer has lost its bid to construct a resort-style camping ground and caravan park near the lakeside town of Nagambie, which has become a magnet for the property development industry.
Parklea Developments sought to subdivide more than 40 hectares of land at the site known as Kirwans Bridge, as part of its application to build a tourism park with room for at least 800 people.
Protest sign at Kirwans Bridge near Nagambie
But last week the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal rejected the application in a decision hailed by opponents who mounted a vigorous fundraising campaign to defeat the project.
Residents who fought the proposal expect Parklea will launch a fresh attempt to gain approval for the development but have vowed to continue fighting it. Parklea declined to comment.
Plans for the project included 117 cabins, 153 camping sites, a boat ramp, four jetties, swimming pool and other sports facilities on 16 hectares of land that is zoned for farming. The site previously operated as a winery and function centre.
The tribunal members found the project was too large and there had been insufficient consideration of “cumulative environmental impacts”.
Nagambie has become popular with property developers.Credit:Scott McNaughton
They found the proposed development was not sufficiently set back from a waterway near the Goulburn River known as the eastern backwater, which is home to an array of wildlife, including platypuses, brolgas, white-bellied sea eagles and royal spoonbills.
The tribunal accepted the camping ground and caravan park would provide some socio-economic benefits to businesses in Nagambie, create jobs in the area and would service the town’s tourist activities and events.
“We were, however, not provided with sufficient evidence for us to conclude there is an overriding net community benefit,” the tribunal members said.
The tribunal also found the proposal was too large.
Nagambie was previously a sleepy country town. But housing estates have proliferated recently in the lakeside spot, which has grown a reputation for its successful horse racing industry and rising food and wine scene.
Kirwans Bridge Community Group chairman David Maddocks said the natural environment and native fauna needed protection from property developments.
“This is important habitat,” he said.
Maddocks said his group had raised $77,000 from private donors and $13,000 in an online campaign to fight the project and pay for expert witnesses and lawyers to represent them at the tribunal.
Nagambie is known as the birthplace of race horse Black Caviar.Credit:Eddie Jim
He said they would continue fighting any similar development proposed for the land. The proposal received 1177 objections to the original permit application lodged with the Strathbogie Shire.
Maddocks said the Nagambie region could accommodate more tourism developments, but they should be south of the township.
“It’s in the wrong location,” he said. “If the developer wants to do it again, go and do it somewhere else.”
Parklea was founded by Andrew Facey, who has built extensive property developments in Pakenham and West Gippsland.
Parklea’s website said Facey expanded his agricultural interests to the Strathbogie Shire six years ago, buying a farm at Nagambie, including a historic homestead on the Goulburn River.
Lake Nagambie is part of the town’s appeal. Credit:Scott McNaughton
The company’s application to build the tourism development proceeded to the tribunal after the Strathbogie Shire rejected the proposal in June last year.
The shire denied the original application because it failed to address potential impact on the environment, provide transport for pedestrians and cyclists and did not demonstrate the benefit of the proposed development to the Nagambie community.
Strathbogie Shire acting mayor Paul Murray said the council had not reached its decision lightly to knock back the permit application.
“We listened to our community’s concerns,” he said.
RMIT urban and regional planning expert Andrew Butt said Nagambie was now experiencing development pressure similar to that experienced in the past 20 years by coastal Victorian towns.
“People want to go there because of these natural values, but equally these values are being challenged by the [population] growth,” he said.
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