The newly formed Keilor Village Traders Association has a message for Council. Youngster Jamie Miller gets his point across with a sign. 76481 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
By Laura Wakely
ANGER over a proposal for a three-storey development in Keilor has led to the formation of the Keilor Village Traders Association (KVTA).
The proposal for Kennedy St suggests a multi-use building with shops, offices and residential floors as well as an underground carpark.
Newly elected KVTA President Virginia Tachos said the group are concerned about the impact of extra traffic on the safety and retail in the area, as well as the design of the building ruining the “village feel” to Keilor.
“It’s already a gridlock,” Ms Tachos said. “With another 60 cars added to the mix, I can just imagine what it will be like.”
Ms Tachos said traders are worried that the extra cars could result in less car parks for customers, who may drive elsewhere.
“Every single one of those shopkeepers chose to be there, they chose not to be in a shopping complex,” she said. “The village feel is amazing. You can’t replicate that in a shopping centre, anywhere else.
“It’s that close community feel. I don’t want to lose it, that’s really valuable.”
Ms Tachos said the KVTA was formed to preserve and enhance Keilor.
“I’m not against development, there is room for development and room for sprucing up in Keilor,” she said.
A regular user of the shopping strip on the Old Calder Highway and previously an employee at the bank, Ms Tachos said the KVTA wants all traders and shoppers to be part of the group.
The group have begun handing out membership forms, as well as petitions opposing the Kennedy St development, which will be presented to council at a meeting in the coming weeks.
Brimbank City Council’s General Manager of City Development Stephen Sully said the council was seeking more information from the applicant for the Kennedy St development.
“Upon receipt of this additional information, an initial assessment of the application will be undertaken of the proposal and a report will be presented to a future Planning Committee Meeting to determine whether the amendment should proceed to exhibition or be abandoned,” Mr Sully said.
