Cade Lucas
Battle lines have once again been drawn between a group of Werribee residents and a property developer after plans for a Dan Murphy’s bottleshop and retail precinct on the corner of Wattle Avenue and the Princes Highway were re-submitted, two years after they were rejected.
The development proposal for a Dan Murphy’s and retail precinct on 18-22 Princes Highway, was re-submitted by developer Princes Wattle Pty Ltd in January this year, but were only made public in late September.
A similar proposal from the same developer was rejected by VCAT in November 2021, having earlier been voted down by Wyndham council.
That proposal drew opposition from local residents concerned about its potential impact on traffic, noise and social behaviour.
More than 50 objections have already been submitted to this new proposal, including from many who opposed the previous one.
Among them is nearby resident Brian Gosney who said the re-submitted proposal had the same problems as the original.
“Firstly traffic hazards, social impact on the area and the fact I we already have 11 bottleshops and liquor outlets in the Werribee area and why do we need another one,” said Mr Gosney who lives in nearby Haven Court.
He said traffic congestion on Wattle Avenue was the biggest problem with the proposal, blaming the addition of the Tarneit Road rail bridge for making it busier than ever before.
“People now use Wattle Avenue as a main thoroughfare which they didn’t previously, to come from Duncans Road to the other side of Werribee.”
Mr Gosney said the main entrance for the site being on Wattle Avenue was especially problematic.
“They’ve also banned trucks from Wattle Avenue so how can trucks get in and out of this new development,” he said.
“I’m a retired Woolworths store manager and also spent a number of years in the logistics division of Woolworths and I have a very good understanding of the impact of delivery trucks entering and leaving retail sites. I don’t believe trucks will be able to come into wattle avenue and then turn into the proposed site without causing major disruption and or accidents.”
Mr Goseny said as an entry point to Werribee, the site should be turned into a park or monument.
The new proposal also includes Mexican fast food outlet, Guzman Y Gomez, along with other retail and office spaces and 157 parking spaces in underground and ground level car parks.
Both Princes Wattle Pty Ltd and its owner David Gold were contacted for comment.
It’s unclear when the proposal will be put before Wyndham council.
