Sunshine residents Neil and Brendan do not want Melbourne Water to sell off 3043 square metres next to Kororoit Creek. 69264 Picture: BEVERLEY AIRD
By Alesha Capone
BUILDING houses in an area of Sunshine next to Kororoit Creek would expose them to the risk of flooding, according to a Greens MLC.
Last week, the Greens Western Metropolitan Region MP Colleen Hartland met with residents at 3043 square metres of land located next to Kororoit Creek.
The land’s owner Melbourne Water has applied to Brimbank City Council under Amendment C129, to rezone the Fraser St open space.
Residents said Melbourne Water wanted to convert the land from a ‘Public Open Space/Public Use Zone’ classification to Residential 1 so they could sell it for housing development.
“I was here at the end of Fraser St in the flash floods of February 2010, when the creek was absolutely ferocious,” Ms Hartland said.
“It was thundering under the bridge, and well up the banks towards the fences of the existing houses. If there had been a house in the path of that flood, it would have been a very dangerous situation.
“I don’t think this is a safe area to build houses. If Melbourne Water thinks this area doesn’t flood, they should come down here and look at the height of litter left by the floods in the trees.”
Ms Hartland said the area should be retained as open space for residents.
Nearby resident Beverley Aird said the community’s campaign to retain the land as open space was supported by the Sunshine and District Historical Society, Geraldine Brooks from the Ardeer Community Playground Committee, Friends of Kororoit Creek president Linda and Sarah Liversidge from the Albion and Ardeer Community Club.
“Our issue is a community concern which we would like to stop before it begins, we are gaining huge support on this matter,” she said.
“We need to stop all these pockets of land being sold off by Melbourne Water.
“Kororoit Creek is an important and significant local asset that belongs to all of us and is one of the most beautiful and green linkages in the municipality that should be preserved for future generations; not rezoned to allow a sell off for quick profit.”
The area’s residents will hold a meet and greet to discuss the issue on Sunday 11 September between 10am and 2pm at Albion Tennis Club, Selwyn St, Sunshine.
Contact babad@y7mail.com for details.
