aldi approved for monbulk

report from the roundtable - 14 may

At this week’s council meeting we had to consider an application for an ALDI supermarket in Monbulk. It came with it’s complexities, as is often the case in the hilly and vegetated terrain of the Dandenongs.

I supported the application although had some concerns about the configuration of the driveway entrance and the intersection of Baynes Park Rd and the Emerald Monbulk Rd, as well as the removal of a significant remnant tree.

In speaking to the motion I talked about the point of tension between those motorists turning right into Baynes Park Rd and those motorists turning right into the site and my concern about the potential for collision. Emerald Monbulk Rd is under the jurisdiction of VicRoads and the configuration design has been approved by VicRoads. With additional negotiation by planning officers the permit conditions provide greater clarity around the turn lanes and where vehicles should drive by providing clearer line marking. I was concerned that to refuse the application based on approval by VicRoads would be impractical and an appeal on that basis would not be upheld at VCAT.

I was also concerned about the removal of a substantial remnant large old tree, a Messmate some 28 metres high and 100cm diameter at breast height (dbh). As part of reviewing the application VicRoads had imposed a condition that the tree be removed to improve sight lines when exiting the site.

I asked the traffic consultant from GTA whether the applicant would be prepared to further negotiate with VicRoads to get an outcome that would see the sight lines improved and the tree retained. The consultant responded positively to this proposition and with that I amended the motion to include that “Council advocate to the applicant that they continue to work with VicRaods to investigate alternate road safety options to enable the retention of Tree #15”. 

There is no doubt that the addition of an ALDI supermarket would be of great benefit to Monbulk and surrounds. The motion to approve the application was supported unanimously by councillors (note Cr McCarthy absent and Cr Cox left the chamber due to a conflict of interest).