TYRESPLUS has defended operating its premises for more than a month without consent as a mistake after Orange City Council granted approval on Tuesday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The business previously had approval to use the former NSW Ambulance helicopter base in Redmond Place as a warehouse or distribution centre.
But a report to the council on Tuesday night said a complaint had been received from a member of the public, indicating it was also being used for vehicle repairs.
The report said correspondence between the applicant and the council indicated equipment had been stored on-site in preparation for approval, but according to the business's Facebook page, tyres have been offered for sale from the premises since early March.
It was a simple change of use.
- Ed Newton, owner
Councillors voted on Tuesday night to allow the vehicle repair shop use, which will enable the business to fit tyres legally.
The plans did not involve changes to the building, only including a truck tyre fitting bay, a car tyre fitting bay, tyre storage areas, space to store six cars and one truck inside, plus one truck on the former helipad.
Councillor Stephen Nugent queried further action against the business.
"There's no further discussion about those apparent breaches," he said.
"In relation to our enforcement policy, is there going to be any follow-up action in relation to operating a facility without a development application?"
Acting development services director Paul Johnston said the matter was still being looked into.
"It's an ongoing investigation and we'll reach a point under the enforcement policy as to whether we go further with that or not," he said.
Tyresplus owner Ed Newton said he approached the council in January to check whether a development application was required for tyre fitting and the council had to work out which category the business fit into.
He said he lodged the application on February 21, believing he would be able to open in two weeks, not realising he had to wait eight weeks for the full council to approve it.
"It was a simple change of use," he said.
"I hope my tyre shop is a success and I can employ more people - I already have plans to expand to a second tyre fitting bay."
DO YOU WANT MORE ORANGE NEWS?
Receive our free newsletters delivered to your inbox, as well as breaking news alerts. Sign up below ...