Wyndham council has voted to support more than 100 residents and go against an officer’s recommendation that would pave the way for an industrial precinct near Skeleton Creek.
On August 2, 2024, Wyndham received a planning application to subdivide land located at 5 Firth Place, Point Cook, into 19 lots that would eventually house an industrial precinct through which the creek would flow.
Council and the developer, the Schiavello Group, had several meetings about whether council had the ability to grant a permit due to the space boarding on Hobsons Bay council residential areas and the environmental maintenance that would be required.
The developer has since submitted an application to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) on the grounds that council took too long to make a decision on the application.
At a planning meeting on Tuesday, September 9, residents voiced concerns about the proposed precinct.
Angela Whiffin, who lives nearby, said herself and other locals worry about the noise pollution during the construction phase and that they fear it may be an inviting space for criminals.
“This could become a dumping ground with easy access and no one to police it, because once this is opened up people are going to be able to get in there,” Ms Whiffin said.
“This could also be a place for people to engage in undesirable activities such as breaking and entering into residents’ properties over the back fences that back on to the development and those in close proximity.”
Ms Whiffin also raised concerns about the impact an industrial precinct may have on the area’s native ecology.
“There could be risks to the residents, chemical leaks and fire with the storage of goods being uncontrolled because of the secluded area of this development,” she said.
“Over the 40 or so years I have lived here, I have noticed the open space in question is a feeding ground for many bird species.”
After listening to residents’ concerns, councillor Jasmine Hill raised an alternative motion.
It suggested council go against the officer’s recommended VCAT stance of agreeing to grant a permit.
The motion was carried unanimously.
