A PRIVATE Development Plan Amendment (DPA) lodged by one of Virginia’s largest businesses is set to be released for public consultation, after it was approved by Playford Council last week.

Primary production company Mitolo Group is planning a $50 million redevelopment of its processing plant on the corner of Johns and Angle Vale roads, Virginia, which requires policy changes
to the primary production zoned area in order to be completed.

Elected members passed the DPA at a Strategic Planning Committee meeting last Tuesday, with the plans now open to scrutiny from the public and government agencies.

A report tabled at the meeting said the council would benefit from the $50 million development by entrenching the facility within Playford, encouraging the purchase of more produce from local growers, improving sustainable water and energy efficient practices, and improving the heavy vehicle access to the site.

“In order to provide more certainty for investment in this significant agri-business proposal, it is considered necessary to amend policies in the Development Plan to provide greater recognition to larger-scale facilities and that they have an industrial/commercial nature and appearance,” the report stated.

“This is proposed to be achieved through the introduction of a specific Policy Area (with an agri-business focus) within the Primary Production Zone, which currently applies over the land.”

Land owned by fruit and vegetable wholesalers Pogas Produce would also be affected by the DPA if it was to be approved.

Currently, development policies for primary production land only allow for “small scale” processing facilities and small offices limited to 50m².

“The intention of the policy area is to enable the expansion of the existing industry and not to establish an industrial/employment park in the horticultural area,” the report stated.

“Therefore, the proposed policies limit the capacity for development that is not associated with the main purpose of the site.

“Activities which can be established provided in association with the main activity include offices, a small shop, store/warehousing and transport /distribution.”

Feedback received during the public consultation period will be included in a future report to elected members, with planning minister Stephan Knoll having final say on whether the DPA is approved.

Landowners surrounding the Mitolo facility will be directly contacted by the council to give feedback on the proposal, while Playford will organise information sessions throughout the Virginia  community.

Further information on the public consultation process will be available at playford.engagementhub.com.au