Demolition works still on agenda

Baw Baw Shire is working with the owner of the former Bonlac site in Warragul to ensure buildings on the site are demolished in accordance with a planning permit and court order issued last year.

Council issued a planning permit to Warren Turner in September to demolish all buildings on the site, including those with a heritage overlay. A condition of the permit required a heritage management plan to be prepared and approved by the shire.

A court order also handed down in September instructed Mr Turner to demolish the buildings within 180 days.

The planning permit and court order related to buildings on land at 121 Queen St.

Growth and economic development director Matthew Cripps said the court order expired in March and officers were working with Mr Turner.

“We want to work with Mr Turner and work within the court framework. We are keen to get the matters resolved and go back with Mr Turner to court so that we are all on the same page.

“We are well aware of the community’s interest in this site and we are concerned about the safety of the buildings so we need to resolve this as soon as practical,” he said.

Mr Cripps said council had endorsed the heritage management plan prepared by Mr Turner in accordance with planning permit conditions.

He said conditions also required Mr Turner to enter into a section 173 agreement that supports the heritage management plan, detailing what buildings and facades have to have a heritage element retained.

“There are expectations that the heritage value will be incorporated into any future development,” he said.

Mr Cripps said council had drafted the section 173 agreement and was waiting for Mr Turner to sign the legal agreement.

“We are also willing to facilitate an extension of the planning permit for demolition for a six month period to commence works.

“We have indicated to the applicant that we are happy to extend but we have to have a formal application (from Mr Turner) and we are waiting for that,” he said.

Mr Cripps said Mr Turner had indicated to council he had plans for a commercial development on the site.

“There has been some preliminary documentation presented to council some months back and he is working on a planning permit.

“We would be happy and excited to receive an application and will assist in the progression of that,” he said.