Tn '1 He Western Suburbs
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PLA:-J'Nl~G & E;\fVIRON~1EK'l' ISSlTES TN '1 HE WESTERN SUBURBS ~dB w P~P·i'~l!fG %4h!,H, ( J: '\ H t' ~~~. r·"l ~ C 1 ns 711 . 4099 ' ·. 451 WES:P b ~lARCH 19XJ 111. "t-3:<. c~"'-5') · P. I I 1- S <($ _~?~~--;- _""!_ ~-~ f>~ I MPE LIBRARY G,Pz:!Q [-~~~~~~~~~~~~ PLANNING & ENVIRONMEN-T ISSUES IN THE WESTERN. SUBURBS OF MELBOURNE A REPORT ON MATTERS RAISED IN RESPONSE TO A PROGRAM OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE FIRST STAGE OF THE WESTERN SUBURBS PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT ACTION PROGRAM A Consultant's report on Group Discussions with residents, and three detailed Task Group reports on industrial, residential and recreation· issues are available to those who made submissions :~nd others who request them. See the back of this report for details. Unfortunately it has not been possible within our limited budget· to translate this report into other languages. However, translations· of the major recommendations will be available from the Migrant Resource Centre in Footscray. .-. 711.4099 2908337 . ~-~; E·,._,.,~"·~.~lt~.. :-1' ...-./--~ 451 WES:P b Planning and environment issues in ~' ~ the western suburbs of Melbourne REPORT BY: INTERAGENCY STUDY TEAM FEBRUARY 1983 MINIMFtY FO" PLANNfNQ ANB lfNVffitONMcN'f li8AARY FOREWORD In July 1982 I announced that the Government would investigate living conditions and community concerns about environmental and land-use planning matters in the municipalities of Sunshine, Footscray, Williamstown, Altona and Werribee. The Western Suburbs Planning and Environment Action Program was launched in October with the publication of a multi-language broadsheet in local newspapers and the distribution of a facts booklet. The first stage of the study has now been completed. This was intended to identify issues of concern. and ideas for future improvements affecting the study area. This document reports on the submissions received in the first stage, and will form the basis for further work by the Study Team in completing its investigations and recommending appropriate actions. I invite you to read the .report carefully and to t,ake advantage of the opportunity to make further submissions to the Study Team. You may wish to raise additional issues that have not been covered to date. In particular, however, I invite you to make suggestions as to how some of the difficult questions that are raised might be efficiently and fairly resolved. EVAN WALKER MINISTER FOR CONSERVATION AND PLANNING 2. The Working Group Roger Holloway (Study Manager) Department of Planning Terry Keenan D~partment of Planning Rosemary Cousin Department of Planning Neville Wale Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works Meredith Withers Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works Alan Wareham Environment Protection Authority NOTE: The Working Group has a flexible membership depending on the matters being considered. 3. Consultants Maxine Cooper Maxine Cooper and Associates Irving Saulwick Saulwick Weller and Associates WESTERN SUBURBS PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT ACTION PROGRAM 1. The Steering Committee David Yencken (Chairman) Department of Planning Jenny Love Minister's Representative Geoff Harris Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works Alan Wareham Environment Protection Authority Cr Eddie Smith Western Region Commission Wally Eacott Western Region Commission Cr Graeme Hosken City of Alton a Cr Bruce Mildenhall City of Footscray Cr Ian Mill City of Sunshine Cr Stuart Southwick Shire of Werribee Cr Geraldine Schutt City of Williamstown Roger Holloway Department of Planning CONTENTS PART 1: REPORT SUMMARY 1 PART 2: OVERVIEW OF THE WESTERN SUBURBS ACTION PROGRAM 10 1. INTRODUCTION 10 2. PURPOSE OF STAGE 1 11 3. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION 12 4. SUBMISSIONS 17 5. RESIDENT GROUP DISCUSSIONS 23 6. INDUSTRIAL AND RELATED ISSUES 26 7. RESIDENTIAL AND RELATED IS3UES 30 B. RECREATION AND CULTURAL ISSUES 35 9. INTER-RELATED ISSUES 38 10. LOCALITY ISSUES 41 11. LOOKING AHEAD 44 Appendix 1: Organisation of the Study 55 Appendix 2: Consultant and Task Group Reports 57 PART 1: REPORT SUMMARY 1. INTRODUCTION The history of government involvement with the people of the west has been patchy and somewhat u:1satisfactory. There is an essential pride, loyalty and commitment within the resident community, but little expectation exists that 'governments' (Federal, State or Local) can or will do anything to help improve its living conditions. In some cases there is considerable /cynicism about the role and performance of government and its agencies, including those responsible for land use planning, environment protection and enhancement. This report concludes that the past performance of government and its agencies in matters of land use planning and decision making, environment protection controls, the programs of environmental improvement in the western suburbs · of Melbourne has, from the point of view of those who live and work there, been less than satisfactory. This study, which is seeking to include community views before any actions are taken, is seen by many submitters to be a step in the righ~ direction. The lo~ level of response ( 18.2 submissions) is due partly to the novelty of this approach and partly to other factors such as lack of knowledge of the study, scP-pticism, and inability or lack of confidence in communicating. 2. KEY COMMENTS FROM THE COMMUNITY Those making submissions consider that: * The relationship between some existing indust ries and nearby residents is unsatisfactory because of smell, noise, hazards, visual appearance and other aspects. * There is an inadequate level of environment protection being provided by the Environ ment Protection Authority in the western suburbs. Submissions from residents suggest the strengthening, broadening and restructur ing of the Authority. * By contrast submissions from representatives of industry state that many controls imposed by the Environment Protection Authority are too restrictive. These submissions suggest that there should be closer and more effective consultation between the Authority and industry. * Future industrial development needs special attention in the study area, to protect and promote future opportunities. * The needs and concerns of residents must be accommodated in planning for future development. 2 1. Housing and industry are sometimes located too close to each other 3 2. Lack of housing diversity 3. Recreation facilities in need of improvement 4 * There is a range of problems within some residential areas which are in need of particular attention, for example, quantity eand diversity of housing opportunities, lack of services. * More trees should be planted as buffers around industries and to improve landscaping in residential areas. * Recreation and cultural facilities need selective improvement. * Some localities are in need of particular attention, for example the Laverton North Offensive Industrial Zone, Maribyrnong River frontages, vacant land at Derri.mut zoned for Stock Saleyards, etc. 3. WHERE THE STUDY IS HEADED The Study Team's assessment of the submissions received to date leads to the following suggested directions for the Action Program. * There is a need to adopt a collaborative approach to solving planning and environmental problems; to plan with the community rather than for it. * There is a need to involve other state agencies in the Action Program for improving living conditions in the west. 5 .* There is a need to focus on employment creation opportunities as a principle objective of the Action Program. * T~ere is a need to improve the image of the west. * There is a need for a review of planning and environmental controls, policies and programs. * There is a need to plan sensitively and positively for ·future industrial and other economic development in the west. * There is a need to address specific problems in residential areas including environmental amenity and ways of improving community facilities and services. * There is a need to achieve environmental and social improvements through the planting of trees, enhancement of stream frontage park lands, construction of recreation facilities etc., using local initiatives and locally based employment programs. * The Maribyrnong River and adjacent land is identified as a key resource for environmental improvements in the west including flood mitigation, parklands, recreation, natural habitats, water supply and development of special sites or features of historic significance. 6 4. INVESTIGATIONS In line with these conclusions the Study Team has commenced several investigations and actions. The following are of particular importance: * Analys.if'l of pollution complaints received by the Environment Protection Authority from residents of the west. * Submissions for funding of spe·:::ific environ mental and recreation projects in the west under current Federal and State employment creation schemes. * Background work for an information and promotion booklet 'Industry in the West Existing Development and Opportunities for the Future'. For the next stage of the Action Program it is intended to continue with the above actions, and in addition: * Analyse key issues identified in Stage 1. * Identify further specific investigations needed on environmental, industrial, residential and recreation issues. * Arrange for these further investigations and conseque"ntial action plans to be carried out 7 using a consultative approach with community groups, companies, informed persons and existing local, regional and state agencies. * Invite further responses from the community on key issues, other matters of concern and