Muscle flexed over

EMERALD residents will soon be able to pump iron at a new gym in the town.
Cardinia Shire Council last week granted a permit for an indoor health and fitness centre, shrugging off concerns the proposal lacked car parking spaces.
The gymnasium will be part of a new recreation and office development in the town centre.
The council’s decision came after planning staff earlier recommended rejecting the application.
Port Ward councillor Doug Hamilton also spoke strongly against the proposal at the town planning meeting last Monday.
“This goes against everything we’ve been trying to do as far as getting adequate parking in these developments,” Cr Hamilton said.
The council was told only six car parking spaces were proposed when at least 35 spaces and possibly up to 150 were necessary under shire regulations.
Shire planners said in their report to the meeting that Emerald’s township strategy identified a parking shortage in the town.
Cr Legge and Emerald Ward colleague Ed Chatwin led colleagues in supporting the development.
A doublestorey office block, incorporating the gym on the upper level, will be built on a currently vacant site on the southeastern side of the BelgraveGembrook Road.
Cr Legge said he was in favour of having a fitness centre in Emerald.
He said he was confident new parking areas around Puffing Billy Place, Heroes Avenue and elsewhere would cover the shortfall.
“There is tremendous support for the proposal in the community,” Cr Legge said.
The council received no objections and was told several residents had written letters backing the development. The Emerald township committee also gave its support.
Councillors said the gym’s peak times were before and after normal business hours.
They also directed the developers to make a $28,000 contribution towards future car parking in the town.