Council is in receipt of two planning permit applications (PLN/2023/352 and PLN/2023/353), which are seeking approval for the use and development of land for service centres at two sites on the Calder Freeway in Woodend.

Both sites are located approximately 900 metres north of Romsey Road, Woodend.

These applications have brought significant public interest, and as such Council will provide regular updates on this page as the matter progresses.

PLN/2023/353

This application is located on the western side of the Calder Freeway.

It was appealed at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) on 30 January 2025 due to Council not making a decision on the application within the required 60 day timeframe. This is due to the outstanding nature of what Council views as being key supporting documents required to assess the application, along with formal advice from the Department of Transport and Planning.

Please refer to the 'Latest updates' section below for more information.

PLN/2023/352

This application is located on the eastern side of the freeway.

This application was determined at the Council Meeting held on 17 December 2025 and a Notice of Decision to Refuse the Application was subsequently issued on 23 December 2025.

The application was refused for various reasons including a lack consent from Head, Transport of Victoria, failure to submitted a Cultural Heritage Management Plan and various other key information required to assess the application.

Please refer to the Council Meeting Agenda and Minutes for 17 December 2025 for further details.