By Bonny Burrows
Maryknoll residents are fighting a proposal for a transfer station at their town’s “gateway”.
Cardinia Shire Council has received an application from Treeline Design Pty to use land at 305 Snell Road, Nar Nar Goon North, for a transfer station and materials recycling plant.
The council’s manager of development and compliance services Debbie Tyson said the proposal would enable “the small-scale operation of scrap metal recycling” and included a processing shed and storage area.
But 100 residents from Maryknoll and the surrounding area have pledged to stop the development and have signed a petition calling for it to be declined, which will be submitted to the council on 10 May.
The council has also received 10 submissions from local residents raising “varying concerns” about the proposal.
Maryknoll resident Kim Armour said a transfer station was not the first thing locals wanted visitors to see upon entering the town.
It was unsuited to its surroundings, she said.
“I believe there are better places for a recycling place than in gorgeous Maryknoll,” Ms Armour said.
Maryknoll Progress Association member Clive Horton agreed, and denied claims that the station would actually be located in Nar Nar Goon North.
“People can say all they like that’s it’s not in Maryknoll but, come on, man, it’s right on our front door,” he said.
Mr Horton said if approved, “beautiful houses at enormous costs” in the Maryknoll estate opposite would look down over the facility, disrupting residents’ views and decreasing property prices.
“I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t want to buy a property next door to it,” Mr Horton said.
Noise, traffic, fire risk and possible pollution to nearby waterways were also concerns raised by residents.
Mr Horton said plans for the site lacked adequate protection for the surrounding community from these “health hazards”.
“Even though the site’s surrounded by trees, they are not the effective nor are they are permanent barrier,” Mr Horton said.
“The detail in the plans is really lacking.”
Ms Tyson said the application met zoning criteria.
“The land is zoned Green Wedge, where the proposed use can be considered with planning approval,” the council spokesperson said.
“An existing permit is registered to the land for a rural industry, being a sawmill.”
Public submissions for or against the proposal must be received by the council by close of business on Wednesday 10 May.
Following that, the council will review all applicants before making a decision, which is expected within the next two months.
The applicant was contacted by the Gazette but did not wish to comment.
