By Tate Papworth
Development Victoria’s proposal to build 72 townhouses on the former Keilor Park Primary School site has raised concerns with the community and local politicians.
Member for Niddrie Ben Carroll attended last month’s community information sessions and said he was left with a number of concerns.
“I wasn’t very happy with how the information sessions went,” Mr Carroll said.
“They were held in a small room and the amount of residents who attended could’ve filled it twice. The crowd was spilling outside and at one point I even had to get up on a trailer to address people.
“I saw it all and I heard the community and its concerns loud and clear.”
Mr Carroll said he will work towards having a number of the community’s concerns resolved.
“I’ll be writing to the minister and requesting that further community consultation be carried out,” he said.
“I’ll also be seeking a reduction in the number of dwellings planned for the development.
“The other thing I’ll be requesting is that the development be a mix of both single and double storey dwellings.”
Traffic and parking issues stemming from the development were also a hot topic.
Mr Carroll said the community needed clarity on traffic and parking.
“I’ll be requesting more information on traffic and parking,” he said.
“There needs to be some traffic studies that we can all take confidence in.”
Mr Carroll said community consultation would be the primary focus going forward.
“This site has laid dormant for 10 years. The community hasn’t heard anything and this has awoken the resistance,” he said.
“The Keilor Park Community Group has formed after this and I look forward to working with them and the community to achieve an outcome.”
