Max Hatzoglou
Cairnlea residents have renewed their calls for Development Victoria to listen to residents in regards to the development of the old Albion Explosives Factory site.
As previously reported by Star Weekly, 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.
The state government Land Standing Advisory Committee recently released a Planning Scheme Amendment (PSA) application for the 41-hectare site.
Development Victoria has requested that the planning provisions for the site be changed to reflect master planning to facilitate the site.
An advisory committee has been established and will consider the proposal and any submissions made to the application.
A group of Cairnlea residents have previously expressed concerns that their views have been dismissed.
Community advocate Graeme Blore wants the plans for the estate to support social disadvantage housing rather than impede it.
“We call upon Development Victoria to ensure that the plans for the estate do not further entrench social disadvantage, provide a diverse range of options regarding lot sizes, and provide highly planned and well funded service delivery to support social housing clients for both the immediate and long term future,” Mr Blore said.
“The Cairnlea community will be lodging a highly detailed submission regarding the estate.
“We call upon the minister for planning to meet with us, as requested in Parliament by shadow minister Ryan Smith two weeks ago.”
The group has also said there are still many unanswered questions in relation to the soil remediation of the site and what was previously located there.
The concerns extend to the Gateway Hill which Mr Blore says the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) does not have an account for what is in the soil there.
“Residents are also gravely concerned about the remediation of soil, and the toxicity therein regarding their health,” he said.
“In a windy suburb, they hold grave fears for their safety from the inevitable levels of dust.
“The proposed playground is on the foot of Gateway Hill, where massive amounts of toxic material is left over from the Albion Explosives Factory (who were the occupants of the site).”
To have your say on the development visit: bit.ly/35gfyLJ
Submissions close on April 7, 2022.
