By Sam Porter
Cairnlea locals are in an uproar over a decision which allows the planning minister to override Brimbank council’s authority for all planning approvals for Development Victoria’s proposed development in Cairnlea.
Residents met on Wednesday, June 18, to outline a list of demands to council as well as state and federal governments – the main one calling for the immediate withdrawal of amendment C241brim.
C241brim was approved as a change to the Brimbank Planning Scheme (BPS) to make the minister for planning the responsible authority over the project at 147a Cairnlea Drive and 265 Glenbrook Avenue.
As reported by Star Weekly, mayor Thuy Dang also condemned the change.
“I am very concerned that Brimbank council has been stripped of its decision-making authority regarding this controversial project,” she said.
Cairnlea resident and community advocate Graeme Blore said the minister’s takeover of the proposed development “is an affront to local democracy and common sense”.
“The minister for planning has stripped Brimbank council of its authority, pushing through a development plan that utterly disregards what our community needs and wants,“ he said.
“We’ve been campaigning for this site for years, and now, suddenly, our voice is silenced.“
Last week a state government spokesperson told Star Weekly the change to the BPS would help increase the number of houses, and housing affordability in the state.
“We make no apologies for our bold reforms that will boost housing supply – helping young Victorians who are struggling to find a home to buy or rent close to the things that matter to them.”
Residents are also demanding more sports, recreation and community facilities be included in the development plan, with fears the area will become densely populated without proper services being available.
In addition, locals are calling for a not-for-profit cafe complex to be built to offer training and job opportunities to marginalised members of the community.
Residents also expressed their ongoing health and safety concerns about soil remediation of the project site which was once part of the former Albion Explosives Factory.
“We will not stand by and watch our community’s future be dictated by distant decisions that ignore our vital needs,” Mr Blore said
