By VANESSA CHIRCOP
THE issue of resident safety has again been questioned if the controversial high-rise is developed at the former Port Phillip Woollen Mills site.
Hobsons Bay Director Planning and Environment Peter Gaschk said the council will write to the Port of Melbourne, Transport Safety Victoria and Work Safe to ask for their advice about concerns that have been raised.
The proposed development would be located next to one of Hobsons Bay’s eight major hazard facilities.
“Our intention is to again go back to the Department of Planning regarding the Minister’s response … and seek clarification about the Advisory Committee’s recommendation to make Work Safe a referral authority – that’s quite an unusual approach, and we want to gain some understanding about the intention of that and how that actually works,” Mr Gaschk said.
“In addition to that we will seek further advice regarding the status of the Port Environs Committee panel report – I think that’s a matter that has been long standing.”
Mr Gaschk said the council would also follow up the review of planning around major hazard facilities.
Meanwhile members from Save Williamstown have reiterated their concerns the development posed a risk to not just safety but to jobs.
Save Williamstown Spokesperson Godfrey Moase said BAE, on the former dockyards site, the Mobil site on Point Gellibrand and the smaller businesses that benefit from having workers in town during weekdays will all feel the impact when noise becomes an issue to the residents.
