Maffra: Hotel, tractor showroom, function centre plans bogged down

A unique plan to resurrect a vacant Gippsland pub — that would double as a tractor showroom — are in limbo with the local council slow to approve plans.

Plans to revive a vacant Gippsland pub and create a tractor showroom and dealership on the same site are “sitting in limbo” with the proponent frustrated at delays in having the venture approved.

Warragul-based Ag Farm Machinery purchased Maffra’s Macalister Hotel in late 2021 for more than $1 million, with the pub staying shut while plans were prepared and submitted to Wellington Shire.

A beer garden and function centre also form part of the application.

Ag Farm Machinery director Andrew Moore said the front half of the 101-year-old pub would retain its “look and feel” with the tractor showroom created in the area not affected by heritage overlays.

Warragul’s Ag Farm Machinery stocks Deutz-Fahr tractors.

The showroom area would also be converted to a function centre when required.

“It was going to be unique for agriculture,” Mr Moore said.

“But it was doing something great for Maffra, restoring the pub and giving the town a much needed function area.

“The problem now is we’ve been at council for 15 to 18 months and we’re sitting in limbo.

“The council’s inactivity is taking away our enthusiasm and energy to the point where we’re thinking why would we bother?”

Wellington Shire confirmed a planning application was lodged in September last year and its processing had been “slower than anticipated as a result of complexities relating to the heritage status of the building”.

“Council advised the applicant’s consultants that heritage concerns must be resolved before the planning application could progress,” a council spokeswoman said.

“After six weeks, council officers received correspondence stating that the applicant was satisfied that any heritage concerns were adequately considered for in the original design.

“Council officers are continuing to work collaboratively with the applicant and their consultants to resolve the outstanding issues and to secure the best possible planning outcome for all involved.”

Maffra's empty Macalister Hotel has become the target of graffiti vandals. Picture: Supplied

Mr Moore said the dormant building had recently become a target for graffiti.

“We want to give Maffra its pub back and give them something better,” he said.

“It is bureaucracy without conviction, it is bureaucracy without commonsense.

“How can this not be great for the town?

“We don’t want to walk away.”