The document which was lodged with the Hepburn Shire in early May has received six objections, requiring a council vote before the project can proceed.  

The application outlined plans for a 1434 square metre supermarket equipped with 76 car parks on Albert Street, directly opposite the existing Foodworks. 

Among the concerns about the potential development is the shortage of disabled access car parks and the proximity to the increasingly popular children’s splash park.  

Concern has also been raised about potential run-off into the Creswick Creek.

Creswick Ward councillor Don Henderson said while he did not have sufficient detail to determine how he would vote at the meeting, the decision was not about demand for another store. 

“Creswick might need 10 new supermarkets, but that's not what we’re here to judge and it’s not part of the Planning Act,’ Cr Henderson said.  

In addition to the six objections, VicRoads has also called for a transport impact assessment report to be completed.  If VicRoads files a formal objection with council then the project must be automatically scrapped. 

Council forwarded VicRoad’s request for further information to the applicants on June 13 and while the matter could potentially feature on the August agenda, it is more likely to be debated in September. 

A similar planning application for the same block of land was granted back in 2008 for the construction of an IGA supermarket, however the permit lapsed.   

Creswick Ward councillor Greg May said while he was unable to state which way he would vote, he would look more favourably on the project if it was not one of the two major supermarket chains. 

Coles has already confirmed it will not be operating the new supermarket if given the green light.   

“I think (an independent, locally owned supermarket) would be a better outcome for Creswick.”