By ALESHA CAPONE
ALTONA residents have expressed horror at changes proposed for an inland port development, as VCAT gears up to make a decision on the issue.
VCAT gave Salta Properties permission to develop the port at Modal Place in 2008, overturning Hobsons Bay City Council’s refusal of the application.
Salta recently applied to VCAT to make amendments to their original port proposal.
Annette Sullivan, who lives near the proposed development, said the port developers now wanted to operate 24 hours a day.
VCAT will hold a directions hearing on the matter on 14 December but Ms Sullivan said residents wanting to object have only been given a fortnight to do so.
She said residents were worried about noise from trucks and trains, traffic congestion, health issues from container fumigation and property values falling.
Ms Sullivan said port trains of up to 600 metres long would cause hold-ups at Airport Station crossing.
The closest residential areas to the proposed port are 900 metres to the southeast around Galvin St.
“We are horrified and shocked that such a project could be planned so close to our homes,” Ms Sullivan said.
“Nine hundred metres sounds far away, but across open field the noise would carry much further and be heard much louder.
“Just imagine having trucks backing in and out 24/7, the beeping noises that now happen two or three times a day would be unbearable
“We are also very worried, what it would mean having large amounts of containers fumigated so close by.”
“There has been no mention of what kind of fumigation is being used.”
However Salta Properties managing director Sam Tarascio said the proposed port permit amendments would “ensure the intermodal facility continues to reflect best practice.”
Hobson Bay City Council’s planning and environment director Peter Gaschk said a planning lawyer would represent the council at VCAT while the matter was heard.
“Hobsons Bay City Council’s role in the amendment request is to represent the interests of the community, as expressed in the original council decision,” he said.
