Haldon Estate Wines wins VCAT appeal against Indigo Shire refusal of extended operating hours

Haldon Estate Wines' long running battle for opening hours which would have brought into line with other shire wineries dates back to May last year when mayor Jenny O'Connor used her casting vote to reject a council planning staff recommendation for approval.

The major change the winery wanted was allowing its cellar door an extension of the time allowed to serve alcohol from 10am to 6pm to 10am to 11pm.

Deputy mayor Sophie Price excused herself from the vote due to a family being a neighbour of the winery and two objections from the same property, citing increased noise and activity at the winery, were lodged before council ruled on the winery application.

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Winery owner Tracey Richards said the decision to take the matter to VCAT had been justified and councillors who voted against her application were anti-business.

"The actions of the elected shire councillors and certain council planning department employees in blocking this application is unfathomable," she said.

"They appear to routinely over-ride the experts in planning and force their own personal opinions and agendas on planning matters in front of council.

"Their lack of support for small businesses, start-ups and the hospitality industry in particular can only lead to a long term decline in tourism in the region.

"Businesses will simply go elsewhere unless they have the resources to endure the 'long fight' against the council.

"Council engaged an external consultant to represent them in this matter.

"I expect at significant cost to ratepayers."

Indigo Shire declined to comment on the VCAT ruling when contacted by The Border Mail.

The VCAT ruling also permitted the winery to extend the licenced area of the current premises to allow liquor to be consumed across a larger part of the property and allowing the number of people on the premises from 10 to 19.

The winery also agreed to a greater setback of the licenced area from the eastern boundary of the property during the VCAT proceedings.

Paddock to plate experiences at the winery will now be able to be promoted and staged.

Councillors dismissed a plea from Ms Richards to re-visit their decision before it ended up at VCAT.

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