Lilydale Squash Club Redevelopment

In order to finance the redevelopment, the proposal included an application to subdivide the existing car park with planning approval for 5 townhouses. To achieve the subdivision component of the application, the proposal included the relocation of the carpark to the rear of the site. At the time this area was a large unused road which is owner by VicRoads and controlled by DELWP.

Extensive discussions were undertaken by Millar Merrigan and the various Responsible Authorities and a 100 year lease was eventually granted for the use of this land to service the car parking needs of the facility.

Millar Merrigan prepared all documentation required for the 5 townhouse development and the required engineering and landscaping plans for the new carpark.

Millar Merrigan worked closely with Pryor Plans for the architectural documentation for the facility extension. The application was for a staged development being the subdivision of the car park followed by the redevelopment of the squash courts and car parking.

After numerous negotiations with the various stakeholders, planning approval was granted by Yarra Ranges Council in 2015.  Upon Council approval an appeal to VCAT was lodged by a neighbouring landowner and Millar Merrigan successfully represented the Squash Club in 2015. The appeal was overturned by VCAT and a Planning Permit was issued.

Millar Merrigan successfully subdivided the carpark and the parcel of land with approval for 5-townhouses which was then sold to a developer.

With the funds secured from the sale of the townhouse development, the construction for the relocated car park was tendered by Millar Merrigan and the onsite works commenced.

Upon the completion of the car park, work then began on the extension and redevelopment of the squash courts (by NPR builders). Millar Merrigan worked closely with all the relevant authorities to achieve a positive outcome and the club’s vision finally come to fruition on the 23rd of March when the club was formally opened by Tony Smith MP.

Millar Merrigan were pivotal in achieving successful outcomes along the way and given the clubs ‘not for profit’ status, these services were provided ‘at cost’ to the Lilydale Squash Club.

These services included Land Surveying, Building Design, Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering Design and Construction, Project Management and VCAT representation.

Millar Merrigan were also successful at gaining the various authority approvals by Yarra Ranges Council, VicRoads, DELWP, Ausnet, Yarra Valley Water and VCAT.

Throughout the course of this development there were many hurdles and challenges that were successfully overcome and as the principal consultant we are overwhelmingly proud that the visions of the clubs president has finally been realised.

To thank Millar Merrigan, Lilydale squash Club had a caricature of Duncan van Rooyen (Land Development Manager) drawn for the mural at the new courts.