Winery owner

By Melissa Meehan
Mr D’Angelo last week left the Cardinia Shire council meeting fuming, after the majority of councillors voted to refuse his application to expand his winery to include a restaurant and tasting room.
D’Angelo Estate Vineyard, an existing winery located in Bayview Road, Officer, proposed that they use their existing land for a restaurant and tasting room (associated with a winery), but council planning officers found the application was not consistent with the strategic vision for the site and surrounding area.
In their report, council officers said factors such as noise and traffic created by restaurant patronage would impact on future residences.
The council is currently on their ‘W’ version of the plan.
An alternate motion to approve the application with restrictions, tabled by councillor Brett Owen was lost, and the motion to refuse the application was successful.
“We want to do functions, and offer locals a place to go on the weekend with a glass of wine, some casual dining and share what we have,” Mr D’Angelo said.
“But the council, they said because it didn’t fit in with their precinct structure plan, voted against it – but it could be 20 years before this area is developed.”
He said he was very disappointed with the council’s decision and had already made moves to take the matter to VCAT.
“I want to enhance the area – show off where great wines are made,” he said.
“I’ve been here for 11 years, the vines were planted in 2000 before the PSP was even thought of – I just can’t see their argument.”
Mr D’Angelo noted a perfect example of high density housing alongside a proposal similar to his in Adelaide.
“McGill Estate, which sells Penfolds wine, is right in the middle of a residential estate,” he said.
“I can’t see why we can’t do the same thing.”