VCAT snuffs out mill retail

Peter Farago
A STATE planning tribunal has blocked retail sales of household furniture, collectibles and clothing at North Geelong’s controversial former Mill Markets site.
Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal granted a permit for materials recycling at the former Mackey Street textiles mill on condition that furniture, collectibles and clothing were sold only to wholesale customers to protect neighbouring industrial premises.
The tribunal said it had responded to “an apprehension the proposed use of materials recycling is no more than a ruse to legitimise the retail use which has previously been rejected”.
Tribunal members said markets owner Ian Ballis had not dispelled their apprehension when they found antiques, household furniture and bricabrac during an inspection of the site.
Mr Ballis advised the tribunal that the goods were waiting to be moved.
State planning ministers have twice calledin and rejected applications for Mill Markets because of its potential impact on the operation of neighbouring industries.
Mr Ballis has since moved the markets to Newcomb.
The tribunal said it had no problem with the sale or disposal of recycled building materials, such as bricks, doors and windows or recycled waste like glass, plastic and metal because it would not create a large stream of customers.
Mr Ballis said the permit allowed operation of Mill Markets Recycling Centre but VCAT’s condition would “deprive” the community of access to a costeffective alternative for purchasing reusable household furniture and goods, bricabrac, collectibles and clothing.
A trial period to judge the impact on other businesses would be “more proactive”, he said.