Brunswick Bunnings: residents win historic VCAT battle

This retail giants thought its plans to move into Brunswick were all sorted – but the feisty locals had other ideas.

Brunswick residents have scored a huge win over Bunnings, with VCAT deciding in the residents late on Friday evening.

Brunswick residents are celebrating an enormous victory over a national retail giant after VCAT ruled in their favour over a contentious Bunnings proposal.

The tribunal threw out a proposed Bunnings on Glenlyon Rd late on Friday evening after locals raised $40,000 to fight it.

Brunswick resident Andrea Bunting, who spearheaded the campaign, said it was a timely reminder of the power of a united community.

“A strong, united community campaign can win against a corporate giant,” Ms Bunting said.

The contentious proposal drew 538 objections, with 50 locals banding together to fight the proposal at the tribunal.

“No other Bunnings are located in a residential area,” Ms Bunting said.

She said the site, close to the intersection of Glenlyon Rd and Lygon St, would have made the environment “unsafe” for cyclists and pedestrians.

“Too often authorities pay little attention to the concerns of residents, and assume and assume that they are objecting because they don’t like change,” Ms Bunting said.

Faith Hunter, another prominent Brunswick resident involved in the campaign, described the decision as “a huge relief”.

“Everyone knows how hard it is to get around congested urban areas like Moreland,” Ms Hunter said.

She said it was an area where peopled walked and cycled to school and work.

The site, on the corner of Pitt St and Glenlyon Rd, is approximately 5400sq m.

Andrew Marks, director of property and store development at Bunnings, said the company was “disappointed” but committed to Brunswick.

“We will now review our options with the developer of the site,” Mr Marks told Leader.

“We remain committed to providing local customers in Brunswick with a wider range of home and lifestyle options.”

The City of Moreland did not respond to questions from Leader.