By Christine de Kock
MARIBYRNONG City Council confirmed this week the De Lutis Group was discussing the future of the Bradmill site, in Yarraville.
A $250 million housing estate, plus a shopping centre, could be built on the Bradmill site – according to reports.
A Maribyrnong council spokeswoman said there were “discussions, just about the future of the site”.
She said the preliminary discussions did not include what had been planned for the site, and that such details would be included only in a planning application.
Bruce Mildenhall, State MP for Footscray, said the conversion of the site might be a good thing.
“It would mean that there are a couple of container depots that wouldn’t go there,” he said.
However, Mr Mildenhall was concerned by the suggestion that the De Lutis Group would convert the site to housing after it had received government funds to retain it as a manufacturing facility.
“But, I am not sure what accountability there is for it.
“I’d be concerned, for instance, if the money was provided on condition that they maintain the same level of employment for a certain number of years, but I don’t know whether that was the case or not.
“I think the other question that needs to be answered is on the level of employment down there,” he said.
Rumours suggested employment levels had fallen dramatically in the past couple of years.
