Avoca planning permit application refused

Published on 20 August 2025

Pyrenees Shire Council has refused a planning permit for the use of land for a rooming house in Avoca.

At its August meeting, Councillor Megan Phelan put forward a motion to refuse to grant a planning permit on the following grounds:

• It is inconsistent with the Municipal Planning Strategy as the proposed location within a small rural town cannot provide access to support services
• It is inconsistent with the Planning Policy Framework to have housing in an area with limited access to jobs, transport and services
• The application has not considered its significant social effects in accordance with the Planning and Environment Act 1987

Pyrenees Shire Mayor Cr Tanya Kehoe said Council wanted to provide the best way forward for its Avoca community and vulnerable populations who deserve better access to social service support systems, job opportunities and long-term housing.

“We acknowledge there has been significant interest in this planning application,” Cr Kehoe said.

“Council met with submitters to this proposal and other interested parties on Monday 11 August in Avoca to discuss this application.

“However, it must be made clear Council is limited in its ability to decide on this application by the Pyrenees Planning Scheme, which does not provide for planning decisions such as these to be determined by the social issues raised by some of the objectors.”

The permit applicant can appeal the Council’s decision at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).