By Laura Michell
Brimbank council has identified a number of issues with a proposed redevelopment of the former Albion Explosives Factory site in Cairnlea, including the decision to give Planning Minister Richard Wynne authority over the project.
Development Victoria has lodged a planning scheme amendment for the 41-hectare site at 147a Cairnlea Drive and 26s Glenbrook Avenue, Cairnlea.
It is proposing to to transform the site into a residential, retail, commercial and community precinct, comprising 840 dwellings, of which 25 per cent will be affordable housing.
Mr Wynne has been granted planning power over the site at the request of Development Victoria, removing council as the responsible authority.
In a submission on the proposed amendment, council urged Mr Wynne to allow it to retain its planning powers over the project amid concerns that a range of issues that may burden council and the community in the future may not be appropriately addressed if Mr Wynne remains the responsible authority for the amendment.
It also raised concerns about the density of the proposed development, a lack of trees at the site, insufficient public transport, the ongoing management of contamination of the site, that a number of community facilities proposed for the site are not fully-funded and that infrastructure such as open spaces and roads were not proposed to be built to council standards.
A number of residents have also raised concerns about the development relating to the size of the blocks, a lack of trees and the amount of social housing proposed for the site. They also have concerns about contamination of the land.
Cr Victoria Borg said while the development had “great potential”, the current proposal was “a recipe for disaster”.
Cr Virginia Tachos said the Cairnlea community deserved better.
“Let’s be honest, this is an overdevelopment,” she said.
” … It is nothing more than a land grab to build high density housing with debatable social services and infrastructure to support it afterwards. It puts tremendous pressure on a community that deserves better.”
Mr Wynne has asked the Government Land Standing Advisory Committee to provide independent advice on the suitability of the proposed amendment. The committee is proposing to hold a public hearing the week beginning May 23, during which it will hear from submitters, including council.
