By NATALIE GALLENTI-BREKALO
AN AVID environmentalist has vowed to take his fight to see ancient red gums remain in Melton to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Daryl Akers told Star he was disappointed to learn a proposal to clear a remnant red gum-grey box woodland beside a small reserve at Ryans Creek will now be heard at VCAT this Friday.
Mr Akers said the proposal, which includes the removal of native vegetation, is “entirely inappropriate”.
“The remnant woodland is but a tiny proportion of the land subject to this proposal,” Mr Akers said.
“The vast bulk of the land at this site is of little environmental significance. The remainder of the site could be developed with little or no environmental harm.”
It is proposed that the site will be used to develop a bulky goods/homemaker centre comprising of 51 tenancies delivered in three stages.
The proposal includes 52,355 square metres floor area and 1520 car spaces. New access points are proposed from Melton Highway and Federation Drive.
Mr Akers said the small remnant woodland is worthy of protection, with its many ancient old growth trees occupying only a small corner of the land which could easily be separated from the remainder of the development. He said while Melton is one of the fastest growing municipalities in Australia, there had to be a balance in creating infrastructure and keeping significant environmental aspects of the area.
“Melton has gained a reputation for environmentally responsible development, to the envy of other local municipalities. This has been demonstrated by Melton being awarded many Sustainable Cities awards over the last couple of years.
“The western region is becoming more attractive as a place for people to live.
“More and more people will want to live in and around Melton. We should be encouraging people to think Melton is a better place to live.”
Melton City Council’s Planning Services Manager Bob Baggio said the council has not formally refused the application.
However, it will not be supporting the application when it is heard at VCAT.
Mr Baggio said the council is concerned about the proposed removal of the existing trees, given their environmental significance and opportunities to integrate the trees into any future redevelopment of the site.
