VCAT upholds parking appeal

THE Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) has upheld an appeal against a City of Casey refusal to allow parking waivers on a commercial development at 88-94 High Street, Berwick.
The council in June refused to allow the waiver on an application for a waiver of car parking spaces for a redevelopment of the building for office space.
Officers recommended that the waiver be approved, but councillors argued it would result in the loss of 17 spaces.
The Berwick Village Chamber of Commerce was in favour of the council decision.
Applicant Ron Curry said the decision was a vote for common sense. He said said VCAT, on 25 October, decided after only two hours and on the spot that the council had jumped the gun and had erred in rejecting the recommendation of its professional officers.
He said Oatlands Ward councillor Mick Morland warned the council that VCAT would overturn its decision.
Mr Curry said it was time the chamber of commerce and the council fixed the parking problems in the village.