Council
3 July, 2025
Questions linger for proposed store
MOYNE Shire Council will oppose the development of a new business outside Mortlake after missing application details stands in the way of approval to join the shire’s “epicentre of rural epicness” as a VCAT battle looms.
A proposed Rural Store and Trade Supplies development, set to be located on the Hopkins Highway just outside Mortlake, was back on the agenda at last week’s Ordinary Meeting of Council.
Council officers recommended the application be opposed due to insufficient information relating to a number of potential issues.
These include showcasing how changes to the application required by the Department of Transport and Planning will impact access, more detail regarding how larger vehicles such as B doubles will access the site, further detail relating to water management and an overview of how stormwater management will occur on the land.
The planning application for the proposed Rural Store and Trade Supplies was first lodged with Moyne Shire Council in July 2024 but now appears destined for VCAT.
With the application heading to VCAT, the item returned before council for councillors to form a formal position.
The motion to endorse the recommendation of opposing the application was moved by councillor Myra Murrihy, who said council had no option but to oppose the development until the missing details are provided.
“Planning matters aren’t straight-forward – especially not big ones like this,” she said.
“However, the decision not to support it seems straight-forward to me.
“You can’t assess an application which you don’t have all the information for.
“I just want to make clear that I’m not supportive because of the insufficient detail – not specifically because of the merits of the application.
“We cannot assess what we don’t have, so for that reason I’m in support of the recommendation.”
Councillor Jordan Lockett seconded the motion, lamenting an incomplete application for what he believed could otherwise be a boon for Mortlake as the shire’s “epicentre of rural epicness”.
“I see this area as, ideally, being a really good thing for Mortlake so it’s a real shame that we haven’t got enough details,” she said.
“Hopefully things can be fleshed out because we see Mortlake as an epicentre for the region of rural everything – of rural ‘epicness’, if you like.”
The recommendation was carried unanimously.
The proposed Rural State and Trade Supplies will sell agricultural supplies, equipment, machinery and other primary production goods.
The site is proposed to be 944 square metres, with up to 12 staff working 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday, and 8.30am to 12.30pm on a Saturday.
The application will first go before VCAT at a compulsory conference on July 10, with a major cases hearing scheduled later this year on September 4-5.
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