A GROUP of concerned Ardeer and Albion residents are calling for community support to stop valuable parkland from falling into the hands of developers who plan to convert the area into a multi-million dollar retirement village.
The parkland, located along a strip of Kororoit Creek at the southern end of Wasley St in Albion, could be converted into a nine-hectare, 141-unit retirement complex if approved.
The plans for the site are up for a 14-day public comment period, before Brimbank City Council considers the plans within months.
But residents are crying foul and say wildlife and native plants and grasses – some endangered – will be lost if the development proceeds.
“The environmental ramifications are paramount for us,” local resident Karin Bashtannyk told Star last week.
“To have development right up to the creek will certainly kill off the native plants and keep any local wildlife like birds and frogs away, it’ll no longer support the wildlife that it does.”
The proposal has been submitted by developers Federation Village, which owns a similar development in Werribee.
Also part of the development will be a manager’s house, an administration office and recreational facilities.
It is the second time the developers have attempted to use the land for the development. In 2005 a proposal for a 160-unit development was submitted, but it was later withdrawn.
The proposed site will start from Ballarat Rd and will stretch to the creek bed in a Y-shape.
Much of the land, which was owned by the former State Electoral Commission, has been open for public use since the early 1950s.
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The area is surrounding by a stretch of high-tension power lines, as well as both residential and light industrial areas.
A recent environmental study had found that the proposed development area houses a range of native grasses and other vegetation.
But recent slashing has severely damaged the grasses, which are now fighting off the introduction of weeds.
Brimbank councillor Miles Dymott is among campaigners calling for a blockade of the development and has called on council to keep the land for public use.
At a public meeting held last year, more than 100 residents voted against the proposal.
A spokesman for Federation Village was unavailable for comment.
A public meeting for residents will be held at the Polish Association Hall, Helene St, Ardeer, this Thursday from 6pm-8pm.
