Tara Murray
A group of Cairnlea residents are calling for a planned development of the former Albion Explosives Site to not be signed off until further consultation and investigations are held.
Residents and Brimbank council have expressed concerns over the planned development of the 41-hectare site on Ballarat Road, which has been set aside to create a new residential neighbourhood.
A group of residents have formed a committee to ensure the best possible outcome for the site.
Group spokesperson Graeme Blore said they are calling for Planning Minister Richard Wynne to hold off on signing anything regarding the site until further investigations, information and consultation is held.
Brimbank council has been informed that Development Victoria has requested that Planning Minister Richard Wynne becomes the planning and responsible authority for the development and Amendment C222 to the Brimbank Planning Scheme.
Mr Blore said that the community group hadn’t got all the information about the site, the history of what was stored on the site. and what impact the it might have on the community.
“We believe Cairnlea has the potential to be the jewel of the west,” he said.
The group is distributing more than 2500 flyers about the project, written in English and Vietnamese, and has also written to councillors and MPs.
Mr Blore said they had major concerns about the use of the proposed soccer fields and their location. Currently the fields are slated for 25 per cent public usage and are at the back of the property at Reid Street
The group wants the area moved to the corner of Cairnlea Drive and Ballarat Road, which was the old tailing pond which they believed shouldn’t be developed, and would be closer to public transport.
They are also calling for it to be a multi-sports precinct so it caters for the whole community and to be available 100 per cent of the time.
“Brimbank has one of the lowest participation rates of sport in any [local government area]in Victoria and having diversity is a major step to addressing this non-participation,” Mr Blore said
“The committee strongly feels the soccer pitches, are both ageist and discriminatory. People have expressed frustration at the lack of diversity and choices for sports and recreation.
“They are also one kilometre from public transport.”
The size of housing blocks, how much social housing, traffic controls, sustainability and the lack of trees are among other concerns.
The group also wants a skatepark, a community market garden with raised garden bed and a non-for-profit cafe.
Cr Victoria Borg raised a notice of motion at the most recent Brimbank council meeting, stating the council wished to retain its planning and responsible authority powers for the development.
A state government spokesperson said the government was striving to strike the right balance between building for Victoria’s needs, hearing council and community voices in decision making, and protecting environment and heritage values.
Details: email cairnlea4me@gmail.com, Instagram: @welovecairnlea or Facebook: ow.ly/NLII50GFWBM.
