THE Star Hotel’s expansion plans are meeting increased opposition with the formation of a residents action group hoping to stop the creation of an upstairs function centre and balcony.
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The Central Albury Action Group is made up of residents from Guinea, George, Olive and Crisp streets and Maryland Way which are in close proximity to the pub.
Planning consultants Habitat Planning has been engaged by the group and has already provided a submission to Albury Council on the group’s behalf.
The group’s biggest concern is impact on amenity from additional traffic and noise from upstairs functions at the pub.
“The site is an existing hotel embedded in a residential neighborhood and any intensification of use should be heavily scrutinised by council,” group spokeswoman Laurel Butler said.
“Removal of the verandahs and decks, positioning of double glazed fixed windows and adequate onsite parking should be the minimum requirement that is acceptable to Albury Council.”
The group is also concerned about the impact on a women’s centre situated opposite the pub and is open to 9pm each day.
“Council has a duty of care in protecting these women who often, at great personal risk, enter this centre seeking assistance, safety and refuge,” Ms Butler said.
“By allowing the decks, verandahs to be built council is negating these women's right to privacy and putting their lives at risk.
“Abusive husbands and partners will be able to pull up a chair, buy a beer and sit back and relax on the deck and wait and watch as their distressed, frightened families enter this centre.”
The hotel’s planning consultant was contacted for comment.
At a councillor workshop on Monday night, Cr John Stuchbery asked how much emphasis should be placed on public interest if all planning requirements were met.
“Just because a development application attracts a larger number of submissions doesn't mean it is necessarily in the public interest to refuse it,” director Michael Keys said.
“Consideration needs to be given to is it representative of the broader community rather than specific interest groups.
“My assessment would be this is a localised development and the potential impacts are specific to a local area.
“The site is certainly located in a residential neighbourhood and forms an integral part of that residential neighbourhood and those impacts need to be ameliorated or managed.
“If those impacts can’t be and are shown to be substantial then the development should be refused as opposed to just relying on public interest.
"Issues raised in the submissions are valid and need to be considered.”
