By Jackson Russell
A planning application for a billboard on the Northern Highway at the northern entrance to Kilmore has been knocked back by Mitchell Shire Council.
Councillors unanimously agreed to refuse the planning permit at 111 Northern Highway, Kilmore after council officers found the application failed to meet the objectives and strategies of more than a dozen clauses of the Mitchell Structure Scheme.
The council officer recommendation said the proposal failed to contribute to an attractive gateway to the Kilmore township, did not fit comfortably in the surrounding landscape and disregarded the Kilmore Structure Plan’s direction to enhance the town’s heritage.
The land is located on the northern banks of Kilmore Creek and land surrounding the site includes industrial sites to the north, Kilmore Caravan Park to the east, the under-construction Kilmore Village Shopping Centre to the south, and conservation and recreation zoned land to the west.
The proposed sign facing northbound drivers measured 8.4 metres wide by 5.5 metres high while the southbound drivers would have seen a 12.6 metre wide by 5.5 metre high sign.
Central ward councillor Annie Goble said she supported the officers’ decision to refuse the application.
“It would be a really ugly blight on the entrance to the heritage town of Kilmore,” she said.
“I fully support the recommendation to refuse it and I thank our staff for considering the community’s views on these things and making such a wise decision.”
Central ward councillor David Atkinson said there were many reasons not to have large signs in the shire’s historical towns.
“The last time we had the sign come before us, I said it was basically the back wall of the council chambers and this isn’t much different,” he said.
“We’ve refused signs before and I think we should be consistent in refusing this one as well.”
