Thursday, 18 May 2023

Northern Metropolitan Region

Evan MULHOLLAND (Northern Metropolitan) (12:44): (181) My question is to the Minister for Planning. I ask this on behalf of many residents in Westmeadows who have contacted me to express their great concern about proposed draft amendments to the Hume planning scheme that would allow industrial development on the buffer zone between the discontinued Cleanaway landfill site and existing houses. Since the 2014 environmental audit, it has been clear that the groundwater of the proposed development site remains contaminated to a depth of 15 to 25 metres. Residents are concerned that toxic leakage would impact the preservation of the Moonee Ponds Creek and native grassland area, and the assessment notes that disturbance of and interference with the groundwater could have adverse impacts and effects on nearby residents and that it is already in need of constant monitoring. While there remain health and amenity implications for local residents of Westmeadows, I ask whether the minister will listen to the overwhelming views of residents and Hume City Council and send this proposal back to the drawing board.