Robinvale Subway: Swan Hill Rural City Council makes decision on development

Councillors in northwest Victoria have made a call on whether to allow a Subway development that received 37 objections.

Councillors were asked to decide whether to grant a planning permit for a Subway store in Robinvale.

After heated debate over two years, a Subway store in the northwest Victorian town of Robinvale has been given the green light.

At Tuesday’s Swan Hill Rural City Council meeting, councillors voted unanimously in favour of granting a planning permit.

The project, at 71-77 Bromley Rd, generated mixed views in the Robinvale community.

Some residents argued that Subway should instead look to fill one of the vacant spaces in the town’s main street, Perrin St.

The proposed site included a drive-through and was closer to highway traffic.

Councillors were told the developers had looked at two other sites, both on Bromley Rd, and were not interested in opening in Perrin St.

A report by council staff assessing the proposal against zone requirements and planning policy concluded it was appropriate and produced acceptable outcomes, including economic development.

But 37 objections were received, with concerns including traffic and amenity.

Council’s assessment found the proposal would not be detrimental to amenity, given it was within the central activity area of Robinvale and the land, while adjacent to parkland, was not itself parkland.

Right-hand turns in or out of the proposed site would not be allowed.

It was put to the council that other uses of the land, such as developing it as a tourist attraction, should be considered.

Council’s assessment said when the land was offered for sale, a tourist-related venture was not put forward.

The Subway store was also found to be a potential magnet for tourists to stop and visit other parts of the town.

“It is considered a food premises in this location will aid the travelling public and its location close to the Visitor Information Centre and museum may encourage tourist to stop and find out what else of interest there is,” the assessment said.

Debate over the site began when the formerly-residential land was sold by the council to the developer in 2019.

Plans were also revised to remove a proposed car wash from the site.

Councillors asked several questions of staff at Tuesday’s meeting.

Robinvale-based Deputy Mayor Jade Benham asked about pedestrian access and truck parking, but ultimately moved to grant the permit and spoke in favour.

Cr Benham said she had taken on board the community’s feedback and empathised with those with concerns.

She said the development would “activate” that side of Bromley Rd and would send a signal the municipality was open for business.

“We’re not acting with emotion or sentiment … but as visionaries towards the future and as the statutory authority,” Cr Benham said, noting the proposal met planning criteria.

Other councillors spoke about the jobs that would be created in the town.

Councillors were told the developers were building car parks adjacent to 71-77 Bromley Rd as a “goodwill gesture” to the community.

Planning consultant Roy Costa, who represented the developers, said his client was “ecstatic”.

“We think that this is only positive for the township of Robinvale and will only support the growth and progression of the town, with an investment of over $1 million and money to be spent back in the community,” Mr Costa said.