GOVERNMENT plans for 2000 houses in Point Cook’s west have been put on hold after five months of community backlash.
While plans to develop Point Cook’s west had been finalised since February, Planning Minister Matthew Guy last week omitted the area from a list of six new suburbs on Melbourne’s fringe.
The plans had drawn scathing opposition from residents groups and Wyndham Council.
There were fears the influx of up to 5800 new residents into the area between Hacketts Lane and the freeway would add to road congestion, school overcrowding and hospital emergency ward waiting times.
The Point Cook Action Group led the charge for the suburb to be stalled, given the state government had not earmarked money to fund vital roadworks.
A diamond interchange joining Sneydes Road with the freeway, and a bridge extension of Dunnings Road costing about $80million were identified as critical works needed for the new suburb in the Growth Areas Authority’s plans.
Western Metropolitan Liberal MP Andrew Elsbury said holding off on plans showed the community’s concerns had been heard.
“The council said they did not approve, so the Growth Areas Authority is now working with council to come up with a better plan, and improving transport linkages in Point Cook is all part of it,” he said. “There’s a lot more work to be done on the precinct structure plan for Point Cook West.”
Action group chairman Bernard Reilly praised the government for listening to residents.
“Obviously, Mr Guy is listening to us; it’s really positive that he took the time to meet with us here last month and get a feel for what the community felt.”
Deputy mayor Glenn Goodfellow said the council would ensure the government upheld a commitment to fixing Point Cook’s infrastructure problems.
“We need to ensure transport infrastructure is there, and now we need to ensure the commitment is kept,” he said.
