Winery and restaurant planned for Bridge Inn Rd, Mernda

A 30ha winery and restaurant has been given the green light in Mernda in a move that could put Whittlesea on the map as a wine destination.

A plan for a 30ha vineyard on Bridge Inn Rd, Mernda, has been given the green light by Whittlesea Council.

A 30ha winery and restaurant has been given the green light in Mernda in a move that could put Whittlesea on the map as a wine destination.

The winery, which is planned to be built on land on Bridge Inn Rd, would contain a vineyard and facility for wine production, a cellar and a cafe/restaurant.

The bold plan is the brainchild of landowners Paul and Christine Vella.

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The pair applied to council to amend the Whittlesea Planning Scheme to allow for the rezoning and subdivision of their land.

They also applied for 15ha of the site, which falls within the Urban Growth Boundary, to be rezoned for residential development.

Another 64ha would be gifted to the council for the Quarry Hills Parklands project.

A report compiled for councillors supported both amendments, stating the overall proposal would provide “economic, social and environmental benefit to the municipality”.

The council will now seek permission from State Planning Minister Richard Wynne for the preparation and exhibition of the proposed amendments.

A map showing where the new suburb Quarry Hills will be built in Melbourne's north.

The council will wait for Parliament to ratify the amendments before enacting on the proposal.

The Vellas, who have lived in Mernda for 20 years, had primarily used their land to farm beef cattle.

This will be their first foray into wine production.

Mr Vella said he wanted to wait on Mr Wynne’s decision before commenting but he did say the prospect was exciting.

“This is a great project for the community and it will complement the Quarry Hills Park,” Mr Vella said.

A council report stated Vella’s winery proposal was “an appropriate use and development into the parkland interface”.

Leader reported in October that a new suburb, home to 6600 people and including 2358 dwellings, a village town centre, sporting fields and community facilities will be built on part of the parkland.

Council said residents of the future suburb would have direct access to the “open space asset” along with convenient access to local facilities and retail offerings.