Thirty-six of the 43 submissions opposed the proposal for 44 High St, the former site of McSwains Joinery before it was devastated by the October 2022 floods.
Of the concerns raised by local objectors, traffic management appears to be chief, with nearby resident Peter Malane saying that the nature of the current proposal, set to be situated on the corner of Wallis and High Sts and backing on to Butler St, would lead to increased traffic blockages.
“This is a unique proposal, I’m not aware of any other drive-through takeaway with an entrance point being a roundabout exit,” he said.
“It is an anomaly that there are two residential entry points on the roundabout, even more so that one is entry-only and the other is entry/exit.
“It will take at least three minutes to order and make a coffee. If there are more than 20 cars an hour, or the 53 the applicant expects, my maths is that there will be a blockage of traffic that would cumulatively become worse, and it wouldn’t be too long until the High St roundabout is blocked.”
Mitchell Shire Council has confirmed objecting submitters also opposed the proposed change of use for the site, potential increase in noise, the impact on the existing truck route, as well as the fact the application was lodged for a property owned by a current councillor.
In 2023, the site was acquired by Happy Valley Pty Ltd, an entity associated with Cr Ned Jeffery, and in May of last year it was approved by council for office use.
Anna Pinnuck, who lives on Butler St, said she was both concerned about the preservation of her street’s heritage character and the fact that the latest application to turn the site into a drive-through was associated with a councillor.
“This is a lovely street with a heritage overlay,” she said.
“All those cars must exit on to Butler St, many will not be able to turn back into Wallis St, it’s already hard. Cars will go up to Crawford St and block that intersection, too — that is a very busy school zone.
“It amazes me that it is a councillor of the (Mitchell) shire putting this proposal forward.”
Mitchell Shire Mayor John Dougall said councillors with a conflict of interest on council matters would not be involved in the discussion.
“Under council’s governance rules, any councillor who has a conflict of interest in relation to a matter to be considered by council is required to disclose the conflict of interest and remove themselves from the council meeting or community questions and hearings meeting, prior to the matter being considered,” he said.
Cr Dougall added that the planning permit application would be discussed at a future community questions and hearings meeting, with submitters to be notified of this date.
“Mitchell Shire Council has received a number of inquiries regarding the planning permit application for 44 High St, Seymour, which proposes the development of a drive-through coffee shop,” he said.
“The application is still under assessment, and no decision has been made.”
While the application is yet to go to the vote, High St resident Kyria Crombie said she couldn’t help but think about the potential dangers of the added congestion on her street.
“I’m elderly and rely on my mobility scooter. I regularly use the footpath where the entry point is, and then go on to cross Butler St. I’m not the only one,” she said.
“Having nearly a car a minute coming off the roundabout into that entrance does not feel safe.”
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