General News
26 August, 2025
Rooming house refused
PYRENEES Shire Council has refused a planning permit for contentious plans for a rooming house in central Avoca.
A proposal was put to council by RJA Ventures for the rooming house in Rutherford Street which has been allegedly operating without approval.
The rooming house struck the ire of the Avoca community with hundreds of people signing a petition against granting a permit, while dozens of written objections were received by council ahead of Monday’s meeting.
Local residents argue with eight released prisoners potentially being housed at the site, Avoca has limited health and transport options and no mental health support.
Questions were also raised about the size of the building and whether it was suitable to house eight people and that the house is in close proximity to outlets selling alcohol and the local primary school.
At this week’s meeting, Councillor Megan Phelan put forward a motion to refuse to grant a planning permit on the following grounds:
• It is inconsistent with the Municipal Planning Strategy as the proposed location within a small rural town cannot provide access to support services
• It is inconsistent with the Planning Policy Framework to have housing in an area with limited access to jobs, transport and services
• The application has not considered its significant social effects in accordance with the Planning and Environment Act 1987
Pyrenees Shire Mayor Cr Tanya Kehoe said Council wanted to provide the best way forward for the Avoca community and vulnerable populations who deserve better access to social service support systems, job opportunities and long-term housing.
“We acknowledge there has been significant interest in this planning application,” Cr Kehoe said.
“Council met with submitters to this proposal and other interested parties on Monday 11 August in Avoca to discuss this application.
“However, it must be made clear Council is limited in its ability to decide on this application by the Pyrenees Planning Scheme, which does not provide for planning decisions such as these to be determined by the social issues raised by some of the objectors.”
Cr Rebecca Wardlaw abstained from the vote due to a conflict of interest.
But on social media, she informed the community of council’s decision.
“Your objections and the petition were invaluable for the outcome.
“The councillors in our shire are dedicated to the people living here and I’m proud to be a part of that,” she wrote.
“Remember though that the applicant has 60 days to appeal this decision. We will cross that bridge if and when it comes,” Cr Wardlaw wrote.
It is unclear if the permit applicant will appeal the council’s decision at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
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