With a section of the community opposing the redevelopment of Benalla’s Visitor Information Centre (VIC), Mayor Bernie Hearn has moved to clarify some concerns.
The development will see the museum space expanded and upgraded, a new cinema and cafe built, and a new space for the VIC.
There will also be toilets for the adjoining splash park.
With the cited closure of the BPACC cinema the new site will allow local people without the ability to travel to other towns to continue to watch movies in Benalla.
And the cafe space will allow for a local entrepreneur to offer a lake-front dining experience.
However, the development does not please all in the community with a Facebook page @Let us have our say on the proposed Benalla cinema and cafe project, gaining 212 members.
A recent post on that page cites concerns over a lack of planning permit, the regulations around what can be built on the site and points to the fact the project will go before VCAT.
Cr Hearn said the zoning of the site did allow for a cinema to be built.
“A planning permit for the Visitor Information Centre and Costume Museum redevelopment was not required,” Cr Hearn said.
“In October 2021, to facilitate the development of land by or on behalf of municipal councils, the Victorian Government amended Victorian Planning Provisions to exempt councils from obtaining a planning permit for developments with an estimated cost of less than $10,000,000.”
Cr Hearn confirmed the project was to go before VCAT.
“An application has been lodged with VCAT for it to determine if council’s decision that a cinema is allowed is correct,” she said.
“The VCAT hearing is scheduled to be held in November.”
The venture is jointly funded by the Victorian Government and Benalla Rural City Council.