By LAURA WAKELY
UP TO 10 businesses have been operating illegally at Bunting Rd in Brooklyn.
The businesses, which include material recyclers, skip bin storage and motor vehicle wreckers, were discovered at the 69 Bunting Rd address in September last year by Brimbank City Council during the enforcement program for the Brooklyn industrial precinct.
General Manager of City Development Stephen Sully said council was aware of up to 12 businesses using the site, of which only two had planning approval to use the land.
The 10 other businesses are being investigated for using the land without any relevant planning permit and will face the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal next week after a directions hearing earlier this year.
Since that initial hearing, council has received three planning permits for businesses at 69 Bunting Rd, including one for the use of bin storage at the site.
“Officers from council’s Planning Compliance Department have endeavoured to contact all of the business owners to advise them of their responsibilities and provide them with the necessary information needed to obtain a planning permit from council,” Mr Sully said.
“Several meetings have been held with business operators to facilitate the process and help resolve the issues.”
Enforcement action is also continuing against a land owner and tenant at 457A Somerville Rd in Brooklyn for using land as a business without a permit.
A planning permit for a garden supplies business was lodged with council last year, but there were a number of issues and objections to the application.
The council will ask VCAT to issue the land owner and tenant with an order that the operation cease if the permit is not approved.
The enforcement program for the Brooklyn industrial precinct was undertaken with the Environmental Protection Authority, Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong councils.
