Shannon Bennett’s $40 million Burnham Beeches plans gets Yarra Ranges Council tick of approval

CELEBRITY chef Shannon Bennett appears to have finally cooked up a win in his long-running battle to turn a historic Sherbrooke estate into a top Aussie tourist destination.

Shannon Bennett at Burnham Beeches estate. Picture: David Smith

• Burnham Beeches will be ‘Australia’s premier luxury boutique resort’

• Burnham Beeches plans close to getting green light

• Panel to look at Burnham Beeches plans

• Fresh hope for top chef’s hotel plans

CELEBRITY chef Shannon Bennett appears to have finally cooked up a win in his long-running battle to turn a historic Sherbrooke estate into one of Australia’s highest profile tourist destinations.

After almost three years of debate, Yarra Ranges Council voted in favour of Bennett and developer Adam Garrisson’s $40 million plans to transform Burnham Beeches into a gastronomic must-see.

Now, they just need the final approval from Planning Minister Richard Wynne.

Celeb chef Shannon Bennett and Adam Garrisson outside the Piggery cafe in Sherbrooke.

Cr Noel Cliff said the Norris building, which is part of Burnham Beeches estate, was historical and the council had a responsibility to protect it.

“We’ve reached the stage where this is one of those once in a lifetime things, where you have got to make a decision or we’re going to lose an asset,” Cr Cliff said.

Mr Garrisson said he was keen to move the plans forward now there has been a decision and was conscious about being sensitive to the restoration of the building.

The decision was met with mixed responses from the community.

Shannon Bennett at Burnham Beeches estate. Picture: David Smith

Member of the Lost Dandenongs Facebook page Anne Young said she was glad the building would be restored and reused.

“There are too many old buildings that are in disrepair in our shire and greater Victoria because people buy and land bank and are hoping the decay will be so great that they can demolish,” Ms Young said.

Another post by LaRaine Curry accused the council of having a “developer mentality”.

“This is an environmentally sensitive area ... the lungs of Melbourne,” Ms Curry said.

“By all means restore the mansion but this development is so much more than that.

“What a sorry day for all residents when councillors support developers over community.”

Yarra Ranges Tourism chief executive Simon O’Callaghan said Burnham Beeches would significantly grow accommodation capacity and diversity of food and drink in the Dandenong Ranges.

“It will be boosted by the food reputation of Shannon Bennett and the natural environment with its proximity to the Sherbrooke Forest and Alfred Nicholas Garden,” he said.