Tag » Peter Scullin Reserve

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 3rd February 2021

Bike Trail

There was concern about the choke point as bike riders emerge from under Nepean Hwy to Pompeii’s landing. Contacted Tony Collins who has maps of area showing the Authority responsible for various areas.

Pompeii Site

VCAT member ruled against developers as there was a lack of amenity such as windows not opening and that noise and vibration issues that needed to be addressed. Amended plans are to be submitted early February.

The Sporting Globe

Objections were sent to Council regarding the application to extend opening hours from 10pm to midnight. Also concerns about large crowds on pavement behaving badly. Purpose of parklets taking up parking places?

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Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 6th May 2009

Submissions

Submission has been sent to the Federal Government’s National Biodiversity Strategy Review Task Group. Letters sent local papers and printed include praise for Kingston’s Mayor and Local Member of Parliament supporting the Chain of Parks Concept in the northern section of Kingston’s green wedge, and the importance of trees and green roof tops as a means of combating the heat island effect caused by climate change. Letters to Julia Gillard and Mark Dreyfus asking that a population summit be convened .There is an urgent need to reduce the migrant intake because of the dire state of Victoria’s water resources.

Meetings Attended

Nina attended Bradshaw Park working bee 18 April and the Friends of Mordialloc Creek working bee 2 May. Mary attended KRAMMED meeting 27 May and Walter and Mary attended Sustainable Population Australia AGM 16 May. MBCL will be represented at the New Residential Zones Advisory Committee Panel Hearing Monday 1st June. City of Kingston will be presenting their NRZ submission 16th June at Level 1, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne.

Meetings to be Attended!!

A Coalition of Concerned Councillors has been formed to voice strong opposition to Brumby’s takeover of Planning and Development. Steps of Parliament House Wednesday June 10th at 1pm. It is important to attend this meeting if our suburbs are to be protected from 4-8 storeys in our suburban streets.

National Climate Emergency Rally /13 June 2009 1pm at the State Library.

A meeting of the Public Transport Users Association 15 June 4th Floor Ross House, 247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

KRAMMED’s next meeting 24th June @ 1 Montgomery Street, Mordialloc 7.30pm

Peter Scullin Reserve / Parks and Sports Grounds

Report was presented by two welcome guests to the May meeting – Tony and Stephen from Kingston Parks & Urban Design. Discussion about paths to the renovated toilet block at the reserve resulted in a decision that one concrete would be sufficient. The band Rotunda is to have seats and fencing to prevent Windows customers parking on the grassed area.. Stephen reported that the concrete barbecues and seating have now been painted all over in a sand colour thereby considerably reducing their bulky appearance. Possibility of trees being planted on the Hazel Pierce reserve to prevent parking on the grassed area.. Tony reported on methods of providing sufficient water for the parks and Kingston’s fifty sports grounds. Tanks holding 45,000 litres of water from the Eastern Treatment Plant will be available. The NRA team and Green Corp have embarked a re-veg program for the foreshore . Planting will include replacing Banksias and when they have died Program based on Jeff Yugovich’s density EVCs.Kingston Heath’s Botanical Gardens have been restored and are well worth a visit.Although St Kilda FC still have a lease o Moorabbin Oval the NRA team is continuing re-veg work with Greg’s Friends group.Street tree planting has begun again. Tony and Stepphen were thanked for making time available to keep us informed of projects along the foreshore and creek – MBCL’s major area of interest.

Living Links

Talks are continuing between Melbourne Water, the Catchment Management Authority and Council’s NRA team.A five year has been presented.The plan will cover the area from the mouth of the Mordialloc Creek, Attenborough Park , Pompei’s land, George Woods Reserve up as far as Wells Road. Living Link were sent info about our interests and concerns For the project area.

Airport Master Plan

Cr West reported on the plans for airport development. This will mean loss of the golf club which is part of Kingston’s Green Wedge. There are 500,000 flights per annum in small planes. Most of these are training flights for Indian and Chinese trainee pilots.

Dingley News

Janice Munt announced that the Brumby Government willinvest $80 million to build a new 3,5 km section of the Dingley Arterial linking Perry Road with Westall Road and South Road extension. Interestingly a report by Simon Cropper into Herb-rich Grassy Wetlands found remnants of this rare species on the site of the extension. Info has been passed onto Brian. Brian also lodged an objection to 28 double storey dwellings in Tootals Road. A typical over development of the site which seems to be occurring throughout Kingston in Incremental Change zones. KRAMMED have been to VCAT to a similar over-development in Chelsea with twelve two storey dwellings on block with lack of open space and inadequate parking. This design was modified somewhat.

Channel Deepening

Judy attended the PPCC meeting and gave us a copy of report on channel deepening which PPCC secretary Jenny Warfe had prepared. The EPA admits that high tides have risen 1cm claiming that this was ‘consistent with predictions. Storms on Anzac day created havoc on foreshore infrastructure around the bay – and will continue to dos as the sea levels rise. POMC are patting themselves on the back about the glowing auditor’s report into their activities but as Michael Morehead lawyer for Blue Wedge, said “The report is premature. And the need for bigger ships now seems dubious” as shipping companies realize that smaller ships are more economical after all.

Pace Developments Mentone / Mordialloc

Krammed member, Carmel, attended a mediation meeting re the Le Gym Mentone development now minus an Aldi supermarket and probably four storey’s instead of five, but still with a hotel, gym, conference centre and apartments. Uncertain future of NQR on the development site at Mordialloc. Claims that units are selling at $695,000 for a corner unit.St Nicholas Hall, corner Bear and Albert Street has been sold for $1,5 million according to the Age -for ‘low rise residential development.’

Signage Spotlights Pompei’s Landing

Nina has been trying to alert council to the fact that these lights have been burning day and night. Environment Officers claim that there is no law preventing this unless residents complain. CEO will request light sensors be installed.

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League Inc.

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 2nd April 2008

Forthcoming Events

Land & biodiversity at a time of Climate Change workshop Melbourne Friday 30 May. Details DSE Website. Important to send a submission . Refer to annexure with MBCL newsletter. Planting on the Scullin Reserve 9am -1pm May 10th

Correspondence

Letters have been sent to Mayor & Councillors City of Dandenong and the Environmental Defenders Office regarding a sculpture on Eastlink known as ‘Hotel’ . querying the need for a permit for 20 metre structure. Submissions have been sent to Moorabbin to Mordialloc Integrated Framework Plan.

MBCL Web Site

Thanks to Johanna who worked innumerable hours to upgrade the web site

You may access it @ www-vicnet.net.au/~mbcl Thanks also to Paul who dealt with the secretary’s printer problems! You may however notice a change in layout which your secretary has not yet mastered!!!

Mordialloc Creek

Letters to be written to ARCUE re concerns at some councillors claims that Phragmites (reeds)should be removed from Mordialloc Creek to provide watercraft access. Suggestions that the island, currently a wildlife refuge, should also be removed for the same reason. The creek is to be dredged to 1.5 metres below sea level to allow salt water to flow upstream. Will this effect the ecology of the proposed freshwater wetlands?

Attenborough Park

Bollards have been placed in Attenborough Park to prevent Doyles customers parking in the park on the grassed areas under the Monterey Cypresses. A metre of the park has been taken for road works after the Mordialloc Creek bridge work is completed. Groves Reserve future use is uncertain at this time.BRADSHAW PARK March working bee Friends cleared hut gutters,bagged litter, weeded, lined walking tracks with logs and branches to confine visitors to tracks. A memorial plaque to Peter Bunning has been prepared.

Bay Trail

Stages 1a and 1b have been completed up to Parkdale Yacht Club car park.Because the car park is so narrow it would make sense to continue the bike track back- of- kerb on the road verge offered by VicRoads. Vegetation along the foreshore has been affected by the drought so council’s excuse that too much vegetation would be removed if the back- of- kerb option was adopted is no longer valid.

Peter Scullin Reserve

The barbecues on the reserve have been painted a sand colour which has softened the harsh concrete blocks so out of character with the 1920/30s buildings. Council’s previous policy was that all structures should conform to that character.

Judy raised these issues with Stephen at the Village Committee meeting and was given a copy of the planting list for the Reserve (Note the planting day May 10th 9am to 1pm)

Once again the tea-trees are surviving drought conditions better than she-oaks, Banksias and eucalypts.

Waterwatch Project

A date is still to be decided to commence the water quality monitoring . Middle of May now looks promising for initial testing upstream of Wells road bridge. Mary has volunteered to assist Judy if support is required while others are away.

NQR Mediation Meeting

was held 8th April attended by 20 people. Residents were appalled by the plan to have exit/entry only from Epsom Road. This would include delivery trucks, resident vehicles, customers, rubbish removal and staff vehicles. Semi trailers delivering to NQR have trouble backing into the site at present. Vehicles travel at speed down Epsom Road after negotiating the roundabout making this a heavily trafficked dangerous corner. Johanna presented some excellent modifications to the proposal which is planning 40 units on two of the three storey development plus an Aldi supermarket.

New Residential Zones for Victoria

KRAMMED president has prepared an scathing critique of the State Government’s latest scheme to cram a million more people into Melbourne. This involves three and four storey developments in existing low rise suburban streets. Pressure for higher density development in our suburbs overlooks overloaded drainage systems, flood prone land, sea level rise affecting development on low -lying foreshore areas and loss of open space and parkland. Lack of water resources should give cause for politicians to consider a reduction in population increase. Dr Katherine Betts, Australian Population Sociologist will be speaking at the North Melbourne Library Saturday 10th May at 2pm. Dr Betts will look at Statistics and Politics-Changes in collection and definition of Australian immigration statistics over the past 10 years.

Channel Deepening

As you are probably aware dredging is soon to commence in the Yarra River. Toxic dredge sludge will be dumped in the specially constructed bund 16 kms off Mordialloc. The Greens have gained the support of Independent and Liberal State Government politicians to convene a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance and Public Administration to inquire into the contract between Boskalis, the dredging company and POMC.The Brumby Labor Government has extended the time for submissions to the Inquiry until May 7th . Blue Wedges are recommending The story of STUFF : http://www.stroryofstuff.org/ This is about STUFF –where it comes from, why we buy it, and where it ends up.

Land and Biodiversity 

Please find time to read fill in the proforma included . The Victorian Government has given up without ever having invested enough money into ensuring the survival of our species.Please note also the Age article about a developer operating locally.

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League Inc.

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 10th October 2007

Forthcoming Events

Public information session will be held at Clarinda Community Centre on Thursday November 8th from 7pm to give landowners, residents and community groups the opportunity to learn more about the importance of the Green Wedge and retention of open space- especially the Chain of Parks concept. Submissions due Nov.30th.

Candidates Forum in the Seat of ISAACS

Greens and Democrat candidates are available to discuss their parties policies at the Parkdale Uniting Church Hall, Parkers Road, 15th November at 7.30 pm. The minor parties may play an important role whichever party wins the forthcoming election.

Channel Deeping Panel Report

Channel Deeping Panel Report was finally released this week. No surprises! The Panel relied on POMC’s expert witnesses and the Independent Expert Group’s submissions to approve deepening the shipping channels .Cross examination of witnesses was not permitted at the hearing which limited information available to the Panel.The Chairman, Alan Hawke commented on this flaw, unusual in hearings of this type and recommended this procedure was not used in future hearings.Tide levels will be higher than originally stated, the Entrance will be dredged to a greater depth of possibly 22 metres allowing for an increased flow into the Bay.
If the Minister for Roads and Ports decides to proceed with the proposal, the Port of Melbourne Corporation will apply to the Victorian Minister for the Environment, for his approval under Coastal Management Act 1995.
The assessment will also be provided to the Federal Minister for Environment, for consideration under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
Copies of the Minister for Planning’s Assessment can be found at www.dped.vic.gov.au

Another Bike Path ??

Why not a path along the south levee bank of the creek to Springvale Road to connect with the Dandenong Trail, the proposed Keysborough supermarket on Hutton Road and through the Waterways to Braeside? Apparently it is a good idea to build a path on a levee bank above flood level and also because it helps to compress the levee bank.

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Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 2nd May 2007

Forthcoming Events

An Urgent Public Meeting organized by the Southern Victoria Community Action Group to hear from key speakers the many social, economic and environmental impacts about the proposed 8,750 acre Hastings Port expansion of land use and Transport Strategy involving 16 x 1.2km long Freight Trains along Frankston lines per day but mostly at night. Monday 4th June at 7.30pm at Chelsea Function Centre Cnr Station St & Thames Promenade Chelsea.

Good News Department

Recent high winds did one good turn when it blew down the controversial THREE storey structure which the developer of Chicquita Park was planning to use as a display home!!
Second Good News story- St Kilda Football Club might decide to relocate from Linton Street Park to another site having been denied an increase in poker machines. Cranbourne Council are very keen to have the club in that city.
And Thirdly- Kingston Council had an unexpected victory at VCAT when the former Baguly flower cultivation concern in the green wedge was refused a permit for sand extraction in the eight hectare site on the corner of Heatherton and Clayton Roads. Barry Ross appeared for the Southern Green Wedge Coalition and must be pleased with the outcome.
Thanks to Tony, Nina and Brian for suggesting that MBCL would be interested in the Waterwatch program, funding permitting.

Living Links Seminar

April 2007 was attended by four MBCL members who reported favourably on the Living Links proposal which is a master plan for a web of living parks, wetlands, pathways and open spaces along waterways and habitat corridors. Three MBCL members have also attended Waterwatch training sessions to become part of the scheme which has schools and volunteers already testing water quality in Mordialloc Creek.Funding the equipment needed to begin the study is still being investigated. It is proposed to test upstream of Wells Road bridge and at the spot where Waterways wetlands re enters the Mordialloc Main Drain. Mordialloc Creek depends on stormwater run off from major drains to provide water for the creek. Drains such as Settlement and Dunlops Drain flow through industrial areas and waste disposal sites. Kingston Council’s stormwater management plan has identified run off from some industrial sites as being a threat to the health of Mordialloc Creek and Port Phillip Bay. Thanks to Judy Fields who is undertaking research into Mordialloc Creek water quality reports.

Greenfields Industrial Development

Greenfields Industrial Development is taking place in Dandenong on the site of the former Dandenong and Springvale Sewerage Treatment Plant on the banks of Dandenong Creek. This plant was decommissioned in 1996. Melbourne Water is now undertaking remediation work to rid the site of contaminants. Dioxin was found at the plant in the 1990s causing concern down stream because at that stage Dandenong Creek water fed into Mordialloc Creek and Port Phillip Bay.
SARA LEE CREEK Cr West reported on plans to discuss with Melbourne Water a means of preventing the creek from becoming a barrel drain. Friends of Heatherton Park want the creek revegetated.

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Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 7th March 2007

Forthcoming Events

State of the Dandenong Catchment Friday 20 April at Hemisphere Conference Centre 488 South Road. Moorabbin. Commences 9.00am. RSVP 12 April. North Aspendale Erosion Control Works Information Evening 3rd April Council’s Cheltenham Office Commences 5.30pm. Contact Rebecca Cohen for Further information Phone 9581 4388.

Dredging the Shipping Channels in Port Phillip Bay

It’s on again, folks! Dredging the Shipping Channels in Port Phillip Bay and dumping contaminated dredge spoil from the Yarra River in the extended dredged material grounds (DMG) off Mordialloc! You can find out more about the impact on the Bay from the complete set of volumes of the EES report in the Council’s offices Brindisi Street, Mentone. The reason for dumping highly toxic dredge spoil material from the Yarra in the Bay is because “it will be too expensive to treat it on land!”

Port of Hastings Land Use

While dredging the shipping channels in Port Phillip Bay is back on the agenda a scheme to resurrect the development of Hastings as a major transport/ shipping hub is also being actively canvassed. According to the summary document it is envisaged that there will be 3,410 truck movements per day when the port is working and 44 train movements per day On the Frankston Line. There is discussion of a third Frankston rail line to cater for this traffic In the meantime it would be advisable not purchase a home anywhere near the Frankston rail line!

Kingston Planning Scheme Amendment C52 Mordialloc Activity Centre

The Panel report has been released and received a favourable response from Council who felt that most of their concerns and wish list had been addressed, There maybe problems however where the Panel felt there could be more flexible height limits in some parts of the study area. The Report now goes to the Minister for Planning for approval.

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Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 7th February 2007

Forthcoming Events

EDO Native Vegetation & Policy Workshop Saturday 3rd March 10am-4pm at Mordialloc Neighbourhood House. BYO lunch.
Friends Seminar 2007. How to Win Friends & Satisfy People,Saturday,14 April 2007, 9.00am- -4pm The Green Building,60 Leicester Street, Carlton. Lunch will be provided by the Port Phillip And Westernport Catchment Management Authority. Phone 770 0996 for further info.

Francis Charles Rimington

Sincere thanks for the many messages of condolences, flowers & letters on the occasion of Francis Charles Rimington’s recent death. Frank supported MBCL during our meetings and on community days when he was a super salesman selling indigenous plants. He was also part of a Public Involvement Group with Shirley Straker and others who were responsible for planting Banksias at the Dixon Street car park at Parkdale foreshore in the 1980s. Sadly missed.

Coast and Creek Scenic Walks

We have been advised that we are eligible to receive a Melbourne Water Grant to assist with newsletters, advertising and hopefully, revising our brochure and booklet, Coast and Creek, containing Scenic Walks along the foreshore and Mordialloc Creek banks which have been wonderfully revegetated by the Natural Resource Crew and Mordialloc Creek Friends Group. Perhaps our way out of date web site could also be upgraded-who knows?

Kingston Round the Bay Bike Trail

G..Goode organized a meeting of reps. from PPCC,KCEC,MBCL and Beaumaris Conservation Society to meet with Janice Munt to check the state of play now that Parliament has resumed. It seems that Kingston planners and the odd councillor had also been to see the MP and issued threats along the lines of “If the bike path can’t be built where we want it on the cliff tops/dune area we won’t build it at all!” The usual arguments were produced by the council crew such as “It will be too dangerous to build the path alongside Beach Road” similar to the Bayside model and the shared pedestrian bike path in Mordialloc from Rennison Street, Parkdale to Mordialloc Creek which has functioned safely alongside Beach Road since 1984. Council intends to” consult the wider community” about the routé for the bike path despite both KCEC and Janice Munt having conducted surveys which proved convincingly that the community wish to retain the soft walking surfaces on the cliff tops under the trees which provides a sheltered attractive path similar to the Art Trail and walking track in Beaumaris Rod will reply to the Minister for Roads letter which also contains the usual reasons for refusing to consider KCEC options.

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Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 6th December 2006

Happy New Year Everyone!

Let’s hope the holidays have restored energy and enthusiasm ready to step once more into the fray.
Council officers have been busy over the Christmas break working to organize a meeting to present three options to the public of proposed routes for the bike track. The options are: Council’s preferred option for a cliff top path (formalizing informal tracks according to the CEO at a media briefing), The VicRoads option (widening the traffic lanes on Beach Road to accommodate club riders at the weekend mainly), the PPCC/KCEC/MBCL option of standardizing Beach Road traffic lanes to conform with narrower lanes in Bayside and utilize the existing kerb/verge alongside Beach Road to form a shared path. This option means that the informal paths on the dune/clifftop grassed areas would continue to be available for pedestrians free of fast moving wheeled vehicles.
An article in the Age Wednesday,31″ January, “Share and share alike” quoted Mr Vincent, VicRoads claiming “they spend $8 million every year ..creating wider footpaths in outer suburbs to make space for a bike lane up the kerb, on the road side of the footpath,” Well! Well! January proved to be busy month for three MBCL members who prepared submissions and presented them to the Panel Hearing held at the Kingston Club 22nd/23rd January. We were asked to emphasize the importance of retaining the character and heritage values of Mordialloc Activity Centre and request mandatory height limits which are unfortunately likely to be four storeys in some areas especially on the east and west side of the Frankston rail line.

Coastal Vegetation of the City of Kingston

Jeff Yugovich’s research paper, July 2006, reports that “Coastal sand dunes from Bay Street south to the City boundary appears once to have supported Coast Banksia Woodland.” Regrettably only two mature Banksias remain on the foreshore south of Mordialloc Creek.

Melbourne Water Beach Outlets

A final meeting 23rd November to discuss options for removal or alteration to the outfall for the Marina Road and Ashmore Avenue drainage outlets referred to the cost of realignment to Mordialloc Creek of the Ashmore Avenue outlet versus a short outfall with a jetty over. Realignment to the north for the Marina Road drain was worth further consideration however this would bring the drain excessively close to the fragile eroding Beaumaris cliffs. Rock armour would be required to stabilize the foot of the cliffs. RW pointed out that Janice Munt MP had offered money to remove council drains in return for Council providing money for Chicquita Park. The drains referred to are Melbourne Water drains. It will cost $5 million to relocate the Marina Road drain because some Bayside residents don’t like the appearance of the drains crossing the beach.

Planning Decisions

The Pace development 6 Bear Street/89 Albert Smith, Mordialloc was refused by Council and will probably go to VCAT.
The Paintball Games Centre  Springvale Road, Aspendale is not proceeding. The application was withdrawn.
Parkdale Plaza Saga continues with the proponent not complying with VCAT directions. MW and JF are watching developments closely.
541 Main Street is rumoured to be under new management.

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Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 1st November 2006

Environment Defenders Office

Native Vegetation Law Workshop Following discussion with Verity who is organizing the workshops it was decided to hold over the workshop until February 2007. EDO staff are prepared to conduct the workshop all day Saturday because they believe best value can be obtained over a longer period

Forthcoming Events

Friends of Bradshaw Park Working Bee will be held 10 am Saturday 16th December- weeding followed by a Christmas break-up BBQ!
Coast Action Coast Care Community Seminar 6th December 7pm-9pm at the Port Phillip Eco Centre, St Kilda – if you have the energy after the MBCL meeting!

Peter Scullin Reserve

It is obvious that the dry weather has played havoc with the revegetation program on the Scullin Reserve. Most of the metre tall she-oaks have died and groundcover plants are missing from their plastic shelters. The vandalized she- oaks, cut down Easter 2006 have not been replaced .The excuse given is that trees planted elsewhere on the Reserve compensate for vandalized trees. Council officer responsible claims that groundcover and trees are watered fortnightly. Clearly that’s not enough plus the fact that the shelter belt of coast wattle is no longer surrounding the Reserve to offer protection.

Parkdale Plaza

Judy reported on the residents meeting to deal with issues resulting from semi-trailers now exiting into Melrose Street and turning right into White Street thereby causing congestion in this busy arterial road. VCAT gave permission for the traffic movement despite Council’s objections.

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Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 5th July 2006

Looking Forward

As this exceptionally busy financial year draws to a close we are faced with three or four major projects still to be resolved:- the route of Kingston’s section of the Round the Bay bike trail, replanting the Peter Scullin Reserve after the disastrous “ecological thinning” carried out with DSE permission, and Mordialloc’s Structure Plan to go to a Panel hearing due to pressure from developers for increased building heights in some sections of the activity centre. MBCL and members will be presenting submissions.

Mystery of the Disappearing Submissions

On three occasions recently MBCL members have hand- delivered or faxed submissions to Council on the due date, or the day before, to be later informed and/or reported in Council Minutes that “No submissions were received” or that the subs arrived too late! This matter was raised at the Village Committee meeting and will be investigated we were told.

Mordialloc U3A

Mordialloc U3A invited MBCL to speak to the group about Kingston’s open space and parkland. Heatherton Park and Beazley Reserve was part of the presentation but much interest was shown in loss of parkland as well as the Chain of Parks concept. Melbourne Water’s plan to utilise holes left after sand mining for water storage and/or flood retarding basins also created interest.

Waste Transfer Station

Waste Transfer Station, Malcolm Road, Braeside was approved by VCAT despite objections from abutting premises. Southeast Water, Melbourne Water and the EPA did not object despite a triple interceptor being required to trap water used to wash trucks. The interceptor won’t prevent clay sediment or toxic materials flowing into drains, the creek and Bay. VCAT claimed the waste station was an appropriate operation in an Industrial 1 Zone.

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