News
Tower crane changes streetscape

It was hard to miss a tower crane being installed in Warragul's central business district on Friday.

The crane dominated the skyline from its Mason St location, the site of a four-storey, 51-unit social housing development.
The road to installation wasn't a simple one, with Baw Baw Shire Council refusing an application to close a section of Mason St between Queen St and Williams St. The refusal came on Thursday morning, less than 24 hours before the proposed closure.
Nearby businesses were only notified of the plan via a letter drop on Tuesday.
The letter, from Manresa Construction Company, said Mason St would be closed between 7am to 6pm on Friday, with traffic management on site to direct vehicles away from the area.
It said this would enable a mobile crane and semi trailer to install a tower crane on site.
However, when contacted by the Gazette, Baw Baw Shire community infrastructure director Ben Wood said council had not approved the traffic management plan (TMP) for the proposed closure.
"Council is in the process of working with the applicant to address some concerns with the TMP, and council's authorisation of this is required before the works can legally proceed," Mr Wood said.
"Advertisements of this road closure are the responsibility of the proponent," he added. "But it is understood that they notified the adjacent businesses and the bus operator."
However, it appears concerns couldn't be addressed, and the application was refused. The installation proceeded, with the road open and traffic management controlling traffic.
The social housing complex is being developed by Housing Choices Australia as part of the state government's $5.3 billion Big Housing Build. Earthmoving equipment was moved onto the site in December, and construction began in January.
Housing Choices Australia told The Gazette that, "if everything goes to plan" with the building and construction program, residents could start moving in by mid-2026.
The complex will provide a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments and on-site parking for 38 cars and 56 bicycles.
Also included are a basement, office and multi-purpose space area on the first floor.

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