Archive: Illegal Riding School Permit, Kyneton

Last Updated 27/9/05

Council Gives Us More ‘Good Idea’, ‘Nice Spot’ and ‘Lovely People’ Planning

(16/8/05 – P) Councillors Marty Evans and Donna Petrovich moved and seconded the motion to ratify illegal commercial horse use.

It appears the alleged ‘naivety’ of a 19 year old girl and a lawyer’s argument are powerful persuaders when it comes to Macedon Ranges’ Council legitimizing illegal land use and development.  These factors swung six of eight Councillors into approving a riding school and car park at Kookaburra Park near Kyneton at last Wednesday’s Planning Committee meeting.  The applicant had previously had a 75 metre shed approved, under delegation, for an indoor ménage, which somehow became a commercial riding school, without benefit of planning approval.  The shed on this 100 acre property is apparently setback only one to two metres from an adjoining property, the owner of which objected to approval of the planning application.

MRRA Says:

Under the ‘good idea, nice spot and lovely people’ planning principle, it seems ‘naïve’ girls, lawyers and elderly gents have a winning way in swinging most of our Councillors to vote for whatever is being asked for.   We understand only two of eight Councillors (Cr. Gee was absent) thought the Macedon Ranges planning scheme should be consulted and adhered to, and objections upheld: Crs. Dunn and Guthrie, both of whom voted against the application being approved.  Cr. Dunn called for a division on this vote.