New licensed precinct planned for Yarra Valley shopping centre

A new tavern and restaurant is set to open near a popular Chirnside Park cinema, but not everyone is happy about the idea.

Chirnside Park shopping centre is set to get a tavern, but there are objectors to the plan.

The Yarra Valley is about to get an entertainment boost, with a new tavern and restaurant to open in Chirnside Park.

Shopping centre owners GPT Group were successful in their application to expand the area near Reading Cinema, where a tavern, restaurant and function centre will be built.

But more than 40 carparks will be removed to make way.

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Cr Richard Higgins said there would be plenty of shopping centre carparks available for patrons of the new precinct.

Cr Higgins said while there were 35 objections to the proposal, a petition signed by more than 300 backed the tavern.

“I look at the Chirnside Park area and the Reading Cinema area and I see an activity area that is lacking a bit of support for the cinemas...other places where people go and have meals before they go to the cinemas,” Cr Higgins said.

But not everyone is happy about the expansion, citing issues including patron and road safety and parking.

Cedrick Hordern said the development was “irresponsible and unacceptable”.

Mr Hordern said there would be safety issues for those wanting to go to the movies, particularly for older people, families and children having to walk past noisy and “potentially disruptive alcohol-affected people.

He said the reduction in parking would put stress on the already “insufficient” carpark.

“Nearly a 40 per cent reduction in the cinema precinct (carparks), while the proposed development changes clearly dictate the need for many more,” he said.

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