The proposed planning permit application for the redevelopment of the Yarra Junction Shopping Centre are changes that are going to greatly affect the local community. Between the removal of overall car park spaces, the loss of a community space within the centre, and the exclusion of the local variety store 'Cortella', there are valid concerns for the overall impact on the local community.

Should the proposed permit be approved in it's current state Yarra Junction Shopping Centre will lose 20% of it's parking spaces, dropping from 113 spaces to 90. This will also include the loss of an Emergency Bay and a Accessible parking space, which are in demand daily. Overall, creating traffic issues in the immediate surrounding area.

The loss of communal space by removing the circulation area and only providing a proposed 'Airlock' space, will have a detrimental affect on the local community. Anyone who has visited Yarra Junction knows that the Yarra Junction Shopping Centre acts as the local gathering place, a hub for all age groups within the community.

The exclusion of Cortella ('Variety Store' as per the plans) will have a large impact on community accessibility to certain products. As there is no alternative within the surrounding towns, locals will lose access to things such as everyday essentials for home and personal needs, Winter clothing for the long cold winters, Art products to support the strong community of local artists, and much more.

Currently, the proposed planning permit application is in the planning department of the Yarra Ranges Council. Now is the time to act and voice your support against the proposed changes. 

Below you'll find included the letter I've written to the Yarra Ranges Council, each signature helps them to understand how the local community truly feels regarding these plans.

To:

Yarra Ranges Council

15 Anderson Street

Lilydale, VIC, 3140

Subject: Objection to Planning Permit Application No. YR-2025/110 – 2450 Warburton Hwy, Yarra Junction, VIC, 3797

Dear Yarra Ranges Council,

I am writing to formally object to the proposed development at 2450 Warburton Hwy, Yarra Junction, VIC, 3797 under Planning Permit Application No. YR-2025/110.

As a nearby resident/property tenant, I have serious concerns regarding the impact of this development on the local area. My objections are based on the following planning grounds:

1. Traffic and Parking Issues

The proposed development will exacerbate existing traffic and parking problems in the area. The centre is supposedly being redeveloped to support growth in the area yet at the same time it is removing parking spaces for a lower overall amount of parking. The proposed plan reduces the accessible spaces and removes the emergency bay. These bays are in demand daily and reducing and removing them will mean certain patrons will not be able to access the centre. The extension to the east side of the building that removes 13 car spaces means that vans and trucks that deliver to the tenants of the centre will not be able to access the car park, this is where they would usually be able to fit their vehicles to unload deliveries. Same goes for minibuses that shuttle local residents and elderly in the area to the centre. The proposed changes to the car park are unsustainable as it would not work for the current traffic, nor would it work for what is a growing community in the future, there is no foresight in this decision.

2. Community Character Concerns

The loss of communal space within the centre due to the reduction in size of the mall circulation (the proposed ‘Airlock’), is not in line with the existing community atmosphere of Yarra Junction. The communal space in the centre is the ‘Heart of Yarra Junction’ it is a hub where locals gather daily.  For all ages in our community that space is an integral part of what makes our community.  During both the cold winter and hot summer months it is a place to catch up with friends and neighbours. With the reduction to the mall circulation area and the relocation of the speciality shops to the outside of the centre, it will no longer be possible for the community to interact in the same manner. As such that sense of community feel which is what makes Yarra Junction unique will be lost.

3. Loss of Community Amenities

The proposed development will significantly affect the amenity of the area, particularly in relation to local accessibility to certain products. The exclusion of Cortella (Variety Store) on the plans would greatly decrease the public’s access to products that are otherwise unavailable within the community. Cortella has been a large part of the community in Yarra Junction since it’s current ownership began in 2009, also aiding in tourism of the community as a destination shop. The community heavily relies on Cortella to provide them with local access to a diverse range of products that are not provided by other stores in the area, it is the local department store. The statement in the application of enhancing the retail offering does not coincide with removing this established store from our community.

As one of the few shops open in Yarra Junction on a Sunday, the impact Cortella has in bringing people to the Shopping Centre cannot be understated. Without the presence of Cortella, on a Sunday, central Yarra Junction would only have open a Woolworths, BWS, a Bakery and Café’s. There are many stores closed on a Sunday including the Pharmacy, the Hairdresser, the Optometrist, the Newsagency, the Butcher and the Post Office. In no way is this great for our local community needing to access goods locally, nor is it good for tourism in the area.

The loss of Cortella within the centre would be greatly felt by the community, as it would almost certainly result in the shop having to move to a new town, due to no other suitable sized locations within Yarra Junction.

I respectfully request that Council carefully consider these concerns and either refuse the permit or require substantial modifications to the proposed plan to address the issues raised.

Please keep me informed of any decisions or further opportunities to comment on this application.

Yours sincerely,

Clea Reynolds