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.