General News
24 November, 2022
Merindah Lodge plans approved
CORANGAMITE Shire Council approved a planning application for the Merindah Lodge rebuild.
CORANGAMITE Shire Council approved a planning application for the Merindah Lodge rebuild.
Despite the application receiving two objections, councillors agreed the benefits outweighed any potential disturbances to neighbours given the site was in a public use zone.
Shire planning officer Melanie Oborne said in her report to council the new aged care facility would replace the existing Merindah Lodge facility on York Street which would be demolished on completion of the new facility and relocation of residents.
She said public notice of the application was given and two submissions were received with key issues raised including:
• Car parking;
• Traffic management; and
• Construction management.
The Victorian State Government announced funding of $39.6 million to build the proposed 36 bed aged care facility in Camperdown replacing the ageing Merindah Lodge facility, which is operated by South West Healthcare.
Ms Oborne said the project was part of the Rural and Regional Public Sector Residential Aged Care Services Revitalisation Strategy.
“The strategy aims to progressively replace dated public sector facilities with purpose-built facilities, to better meet community expectations and enable contemporary models of aged care,” she said.
Ms Oborne said the hospital and residential aged care facility have long been established in the area and due to the nature and function of these facilities, vehicles park along adjoining streets.
She said the streets were designed and wide enough to allow for parking on both sides.
“The proposed development is likely to result in a change of traffic conditions in the area due to the relocation of the entrance to residential aged care facility from York Street to Robinson Street, with more cars likely to be parking along Robinson Street,” Ms Oborne said.
“These changes are accepted as the social and community benefits of the new aged care facility outweigh any need to limit cars parking within and using these streets for access.”
Deputy mayor Geraldine Conheady said the facility was providing a “really essential need to a sector of our community that deserves a modern purpose built facility so that they can receive the best of aged care”.
“I think that’s an element we really need to consider very highly in this decision,” she said.
“I think an important thing to keep in mind is it is in a public use zone and that’s been the case for as long as I can remember.”
Cr Conheady said the objectors were mainly concerned with the parking and she said the applicants had responded by creating additional parking spaces on site.
“You can’t manage every little thing when it comes to a public use zone,” she said.
“I think that the permit conditions adequately address concerns that have been raised, but I can’t move away from the fact that it is a public use zone and it is not going to be greatly altered by these changed plans.”
Cr Laurie Hickey agreed and said with the location near the hospital he expected noise to be kept to a minimum.
“I think the good outweighs the potential to be intrusive,” he said.
Cr Jo Beard said the project had been in the pipeline for a long time.
“We need to make the best of the situation,” she said.
“It’s no doubt that Merindah Lodge as it currently sits is an excellent care facility.
“I think it’s a project, that going forward, it will be an incredible asset for not only Camperdown, but the broader region of Corangamite Shire.
“I can’t wait for this project to get under way and I hope that it can be managed appropriately.”
Shire mayor Ruth Gstrein agreed with her fellow councillors comments.
“I certainly encourage South West Healthcare to be good neighbours and be mindful that this facility does sit adjacent to a residential area and they do really try to work their operations around reasonable hours,” she said.