Split council backs medicinal cannabis facility in Yarra Ranges despite local pushback

The approved construction of a medical cannabis grow-op in Kallista has prompted outcry from a group of locals who say the 1,900 square metre shed will disrupt traffic and the natural vista of the land.

🏗️ What will be built? First lodged last March, the application outlined plans to construct a shed associated with agriculture at 28 Oceanview Crescent in Kallista. If built, the plan is for this shed to be used to grow, cultivate and process medicinal cannabis.

✅ What was approved? During Tuesday’s council meeting, Yarra Ranges Council approved the permit for the construction of the shed, subject to a number of conditions, including chimney stacks and carbon filters for “proper odour dispersion”. Lighting will also be required to be diffused.

• Yarra Ranges councillor Peter Mcilwain was one of the supporting votes for the proposal, calling the development a “modern 21st agricultural facility”.

• Councillor Len Cox voted against the motion, arguing the site would be a “blot on the landscape”.

• Councillors were split down the middle, with mayor Richard Higgins the final vote.

🪧 Local pushback: Yarra Ranges Council received 104 objections to the development, with reasons including land use, health, air quality, traffic, odour and visual impacts.

• A local resident has also launched an online petition, which has attracted more than 350 signatures.

• Oceanview Crescent resident Doug Hawkins said the result was “tremendously disappointing”, with the majority of objections concerning the potential impact on traffic and visual amenity.

• 🗣️ “It will be the single largest structure in the Kallista township,” Hawkins told the Eastern Melburnian.

⏭️ What’s next? The developers will be required to obtain a federal cannabis cultivation licence from the Office of Drug Control.

• Hawkins said he and other locals were considering appealing the council’s decision in VCAT.