Full support
I OFFER my full support to Jade Benham and her push for progress and development in Robinvale.
In regards to the subsequent matter of a Subway development not progressing in Robinvale, this is a tragedy for our town and could only of led to greater things ahead for our township.
We need things, like a Subway, to happen to encourage further investment from people from out of town to want to come to live in our thriving business community, and more importantly encourage us locals to invest in our own town.
Mayor Benham is doing great things for Robinvale and surrounding communities in her push to development our town for the betterment of our community.
David Albanese,
RobinvaleMajority in support
IT was quite clear that the majority of Robinvale supported a Subway.
Apart from a few old dinosaurs, Robinvale as a whole fully support progress of the town in the way of the opening of a Subway.
Those that have blocked it should wake up and listen to the people.
Jesse Lazzara,
RobinvalePlans, not threats
I RECENTLY read a letter to the editor (Extremely insulting, The Guardian, January 7, 2022, pg 4) regarding the “threats” made by Mayor Benham in relation to the VCAT decision to stop the Subway development on Bromley Road, Robinvale.
The letter also indicated that this group represented the majority of community members in the district. I would like to express my view of both these statements.
With regards to threats made by Mayor Benham. I believe like any good politician or representative of a LGA, her statements were ones of her plans for the future of the Swan Hill Rural City Council more than threats.
In my interactions with Mayor Benham, it is obvious she stands for progressive future planning and that she wishes to see the LGA and those within in it prosper.
Her words stating that those who opposed progress would be “upset” during her tenure were apt in that she has been very clear that she intends to see the LGA move forward and take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves.
Obviously, this group in Robinvale have been very upset, I guess she was right?
With regards to the Subway development, it certainly has some opposition, but it also has a great deal of support.
For me, personally, it is in direct competition to my business and there are certainly elements of it that I am concerned about.
I fear, however, that curtailing business investment in Robinvale of any nature will send a message that our doors are closed and so are our minds to opportunity. Investors will put us in the too hard basket will look elsewhere.
Developments such as this don’t just mean that you can grab a foot long on your way through town. It is also hoped that they bring further development and investors to the area. Investors who can see the value of Robinvale and it’s unique and varied community. It will also bring jobs to the district for our young people which is much needed.
Robinvale and Euston are growing extensively, both economically and physically, with the horticultural sector, and we need businesses that support this growth.
We need an investor to come in and possibly develop another land site for housing, which is so often reported as at crisis point.
Anyone that lives here knows we need people not living in retails spaces, but in appropriate housing that sees them safe and less vulnerable.
Perhaps by showing we are open for future business, there will be an investor that sees the potential of another house and land development?
Maybe somewhere along the path an investor may present themselves to redevelop the often talked about pub? But these opportunities will not present if we or VCAT repeatedly state we are closed for business or investment in anything that isn’t seen as valuable by a small group of people.
This group, who I have no doubt are well-intentioned and passionate about Robinvale’s future, but am hesitant to suggest they speak for the majority of the community.
Name and address supplied Just move on
CAN everybody just move on about the whole Subway thing in Robinvale? It’s done. A decision has been made. Can we just focus on a new topic or way forward for the town?
Individuals do not represent the whole community of Robinvale and therefore Mayor Benham does not need to give the residents of Robinvale an apology for her words in the No Way Forward for Subway article (The Guardian, December 17, 2021, pg 4-5).
In re-reading the article, Mayor Benham did not “threaten” anyone, the journalist who wrote the bloody article put words into her mouth by using the word “warn”.
As a resident of Robinvale, who is also against the sale of the Bromley Road land, I did not find the words from Mayor Benham to be insulting.
Robinvale has so much potential, so why don’t we start working on a way to grow what is here and build on anything new.
In the words of Franklin D Roosevelt, “There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still”.
Name and address suppliedStand for progress
I WANT to acknowledge the conversation Extremely insulting (The Guardian, January 7, 2022, pg 4) by Bev Harbinson of Robinvale.
I believe Mayor Benham should stand for progress and stand firm.
It is pointless having a stance and not standing firm.
The vast majority of businesses would like to see progress and development in Robinvale. I’m sure this stance does not just relate to the Subway development.
Jade, like many of us, choose to call Robinvale home and work towards making it a better place for ourselves and more importantly, our children.
We want them to be proud, as we are, to say that they come from Robinvale.
The community meeting held in 2019 was organised by those opposing it and was not a representation of a broad cross-section population.
I attended and left early as it was clearly a waste of time supporting this development in a room full of opposition who had not all met with the developer and discussed all the details.
I too initially did not support (nor oppose) the development until I had all my questions answered and considered the development.
What is insulting that people think that a minority of 499 people in Robinvale, which has been proven by the recent population study to have at least 8000 to 12,000 full- time residents, think they have a louder say and are a majority.
At 499 people out of the lower number of 8000 residents, this represents approximately 6 per cent of the Robinvale population opposed to the Subway development in Robinvale. Six per cent!
The Robinvale Improvement Group wrote a letter on behalf of the group to the Swan Hill Rural City Council, explaining that more than 50 per cent of people in this group of concerned citizens were in favour of the Subway development on Bromley Road.
Friends of Bromley Road Group also wrote a letter explaining they had a deadlock of 50/50 support for the development. Bev Harbinson was secretary of both of these groups.
Robinvale Euston Business Association also was consulted by council and the developer and approximately two thirds of business in town were supportive of the Subway development in that Bromley Road location.
Even some other food outlets welcomed the development in Robinvale. This data was reported back council.
Unfortunately, when people believed that a minority would not stop the development, they did not come out to show support.
Since the announcement that Subway will not go ahead in Robinvale, there has been an outpouring of support for the development, but it may be too late.
Name and address suppliedGreat position
I WOULD like to present my point of view with the recent rejection of the Subway planning application in Robinvale.
Firstly, I have no idea on why the permit failed.
However, I think it was a great position. I have a personal view that this would have added to the total offering of Robinvale.
It would come as no surprise that I am a supporter of development.
Robinvale is a fabulous place.
The pub has sat empty for far too long and is a negative to the town.
I strongly believe there needs to be more development in the town to support locals and tourists to spend time in the town centre of Robinvale.
I believe there needs to be more places for people to meet and share food, drink and festivities/functions together and therefore time together.
This adds to all needed to make a strong community in all areas.
We need more options.
In reference to Jade Benham, I think it is great that we know what she stands for.
Too often politicians are wishy washy and reactionary. She is a very capable, passionate and intelligent woman and a great asset to Robinvale.
As Marionn Leslie has been for decades.
While I do not agree with all her views, I respect her and her reasoning.
I respect most of all you know where you stand.
Alan Fisher,
Robinvale No way represents
IN regards to Extremely insulting (The Guardian, January 7, 2022, pg 4), I would like to express my extreme disappointment in the decision by VCAT to overturn the building permit for a Subway Restaurant at 71-77 Bromley Road, Robinvale.
This VCAT hearing was the brainchild of a handful of residents that took it upon themselves to quash the development.
A petition with 499 signatures from a population of 7000-8000 opposing the Subway development in no way represents what the majority of our community want.
Perhaps a petition signed by those in favour might show a more balanced viewpoint?
Personally, I have spoken to many people over the past two years on the subject and have found the majority have been very positive towards the idea of a Subway at the Bromley Road location.
Over the past two years, there have been many noticeable improvements in Robinvale including new playground equipment in Rotary Park, $2.95 million for the leisure centre, facilities to charge electric cars in George Street, new community and learning hub/library, new netball courts, Ronald Street housing development (funded from the sale of 71-77 Bromley Road), $10 million to upgrade the Robinvale-Sea Lake Road, dining pods and planning to improve our riverfront.
We need to keep our town moving forward.
Yes, I respect the heritage of our town and those points of interest, but I also respect the future of it also.
The proposed Subway development would have:
1. Created jobs, especially for our youth.
2. The store was to donate a percentage of profits to local community groups/clubs (adding to those already from our two local op shops for the same and/or other reasons).
3. Created a perception of a town that is thriving to motorists entering Robinvale from the bridge and possibly encouraging them to explore our town further rather than drive straight through.
The sale of the land is now also rateable instead of being a drain on ratepayers for upkeep, irrigation and maintenance.
Now we are stuck with another prickle patch adjoining the current unutilised “park”.
Our town needs to progress for future generations so they can be proud to be a part of a once again thriving community.
I feel the only apology to be made is from those who objected to this amazing opportunity for our town.
Bec Blake,
RobinvalePlatform commended
RATHER than condemning Mayor Benham for her determined passion to progress Robinvale, why not commit the same effort into establishing and supporting strategy to develop our town.
Mayor Benham’s platform of advancing Robinvale’s development is to be commended.
Over past years, several proposed developments, that would benefit the Robinvale economy, have been scuttled by the anti-progress minority of our town.
The thwarting of the current opportunity of establishing a Subway store, in a feasible location, highlights what has been going on for years.
We have an elected mayor, who is willing to push for growth and is attacked for maintaining her passion.
The beautification of Bromley Road has been a great start, now let’s encourage business development.
We have opportunities to establish business that will employ our youth, giving them an incentive to remain living in Robinvale.
We can attract the tourist dollar, the itinerant worker dollar and more of the local dollar.
We need to have the enterprises that will appeal to these sectors.
Unfortunately, it appears there exists a loud few that put their own tunnelled agendas forward in front of what could benefit the community as a whole.
It is time for the silent majority of our great town to stand up and be heard.
If development proposals are continually opposed, those who are willing to invest behind such ventures will simply fund opportunities elsewhere.
It is Robinvale that misses out.
There is no need for any form of apology from our mayor.
It is the anti-progress group that need to be apologising for holding our town back.
Let’s allow our town to thrive.
Concerned Robinvale farming familyFrustration shared
AS a father with a young family living in Robinvale, I would like to share my frustration and disappointment regarding the VCAT decision against the Subway in Robinvale.
This leaves me worried with the progress of our little town as it has been halted, and I am not sure the reason why?
Here was an opportunity to have someone willing to invest into our little town to help it grow and provide employment opportunities, having more people stopping in our town and possibly going to other retail outlets.
As well as another eatery/social option.
We have a strong, hardworking council that is looking to continue to develop our little town going forward so our families can see a future for Robinvale.
Name and address suppliedNo need to apologise
IN response to Extremely insulting (The Guardian, January 7, 2022, pg 4), I would like to express my disbelief that Bev Harbinson expects a written apology from Mayor Jade Benham.
To Mrs Harbinson and the Robinvale community organisation you represent, do not take it upon yourself to speak for the Robinvale community in asking Mayor Benham for a printed apology.
I was one of the 67 people who attended the public meeting held on February 4, 2019.
I, like yourself, chose not to voice my opinion, that was my choice.
Mrs Harbinson is obviously a veteran in dealing with council and which avenues to pursue. It is all about numbers, submissions and petitions.
Mrs Harbinson, along with the group responsible for lodging the VCAT application, are obviously aware of this.
For interested parties, go onto the VCAT website and search Black v Swan Hill RCC (2021) VCAT 1501 (13 Dec 2021) – an interesting read.
For what the developers were proposing and willing to do for our town and to be shut down by a minority (regardless of your numbers), clearly shows you are not encouraging progress.
I support Mayor Benham 100 per cent in her statements regarding Robinvale’s progress.
No need to apologise to me Mayor Benham.
Name and address supplied
