VCAT Reference No. P82/2025

Permit Application No. PLN/2023/353 and PLN/2023/352

Subject Land: Lot 1 PS41890N Romsey Road (West Side of the Calder Freeway), Woodend Vic 3442 and East Side

Welsh Leisure Pty Ltd have applied to VCAT for a permit to build a Freeway Service Centre (FSC) on the west side of the Calder Freeway, near Romsey Road. If they get approval for this development it will make it easier to erect its 'twin' Service Centre on the eastern side of the freeway. The Permit Application for this second FSC has already been lodged with Council. These FSC's will carve up large swaths of beautiful and productive farmland and will be situated on the boundary of land zoned Rural Conservation and Farming.  They will be a blight on the environment, which has been declared by state Government Policy as being of great significance, with its breathtaking views, vistas and landscapes.   These developments will bring IRREVERSIBLE LAND-USE CHANGE. These huge developments bring no benefits or outcomes to the greater community. They will generate rubbish which ends up in the intestines of our farm animals and wildlife. They will take business from the small business owners, in the Woodend township. THEY WILL POLLUTE THE AREA WITH NOISE, HEAT, SMELL, LIGHT  AND RUBBISH generated by the junk food from which they make their main profits.   Everything it proposes to offer is already available.  Just a few kms north of this site is the Carlsruhe service station which has been granted a permit to upgrade. It is easily accessible to both directions of traffic. An application has also been approved for a similar development in Kyneton.

This plan will impact the local Woodend and greater Macedon community with a loss of:

• valuable farmland, native trees and habitat for native animals.
• will be a physical scar on our beautiful landscape
• We are concerned about the economic impact to local businesses and that there are no benefits to the local community 
• Product release for underground petroleum storage systems are one of the most common causes of both land and groundwater contamination.

The plan is not in keeping with the cultural heritage or the historic villages of the Macedon ranges. There is no strategic Planning Scheme impetus for this proposal and flies in the face of a Government Declaration designed to protect this environment from such a development.

IF YOU OBJECT PLEASE: 

• Sign and continue to share this online petition.
• Please send email directly to Macedon Ranges Shire Council mrsc@mrsc.vic.gov.au