By Mario Xuereb
A RETIREMENT village opposed by environment groups and industry was approved by Brimbank City Council last week.
The council voted 10 to one in favour of the a smaller version of the development, to be located near Kororoit Creek in Albion.
Local environment groups said the plan would destroy native grasslands, while nearby industries said they feared they would be pushed out by the encroaching residential development.
Only Greens councillor Miles Dymott voted against the plan.
“I feel that the residents are going to be isolated if they want to catch public transport, they’ll have issues crossing the busy Ballarat Rd,” Cr Dymott said.
“I think a number of the community planted trees are still going to be lost. Mostly my concerns are the scale of the developments on the banks of the creek and not just on vegetation.”
The approved development will stand metres from a 56-year-old forge used to heat and reshape metal for industry, mining, shipping and defence purposes.
The owner of Ferrous Forge, Jon Heaviside, earlier this month called on Brimbank City Council to reject the proposal, fearing it will end his business.
Conservationists attacked the plan because of the loss of native grasslands near the creek.
