AROUND 150 community members packed a public meeting in Dromana on Thursday (20 June) to hear the latest on the proposed redevelopment of the BP in Safety Beach into a 24‐hour fast food/petrol complex. Much of the concerns centred on potential waste from the restaurant, which will be just metres from the foreshore, and the dangers of increased traffic and congestion.
Despite the large turnout, which included Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors Antonella Celi and mayor Simon Brooks, it’s believed notices advising residents of the night meeting were not received by many households until the day of the meeting. Once underway, the at times unruly meeting heard residents’ concerns that traffic flow was already problematic in the busy area, and that not enough consideration had been given to mitigate the dangers of turning in and out of the Marine Drive and Nepean Highway corner allotment.
Chaired by development services manager David Simon and planning services team leader Daniel Balkin, the meeting heard that council could not confirm who the fast food tenant would be, and as it was irrelevant to the application process.
In terms of poor driver behaviour and potential litter, the council officers said the planning department had little control over ‘human behaviour’ once the complex was completed. Changes to the original application knocked back in 2021 included reducing the restaurant seating from 86 to 59, and the number of bowsers from eight to six. Signage will also be installed to stop vehicles from turning right onto Marine Parade.
Additional new conditions required by the Department of Transport and Planning include banning vehicles more than six metres in length from turning tight into Nepean Highway, and the installation of a pedestrian crossing across Marine Parade. A report will be tabled at a council meeting prior to the caretaker period commencing for the upcoming council elections. Cr Brooks said the community feedback received would be considered in councils’ deliberations.
If the permit application is approved at a future council meeting, objectors have 28 days to lodge an appeal and the applicants have 6 0 days to appeal conditions. If the application is refused the applicant has 60 days to lodge an appeal.
First published in the Mornington News – 25th June 2024
