The prospect of two  multi-storey operations in an expansion of the nearby Midfield abattoir site and a new industrial sheds park has set alarm bells ringing.

A public meeting tomorrow night has been organised by Merrivale Community Association at short notice to outline the proposals and explain how official objections can be lodged.

Fears of property devaluation, dust and around-the-clock noise and truck traffic have been sparked by Midfield’s bid to construct a 34-metre high milk processing factory and a 29-metre high cold store, plus a developer’s proposal for an industrial park after his earlier bid for a residential development was stopped.

Implications for residents beyond Merrivale have also been raised with a 500-metre buffer around the abattoir precinct extending to parts of west Warrnambool and Hyland Street.

“These proposals will turn our neighbourhood into an industrial belt,” long-time resident Geoff Wilson told The Standard yesterday. 

“It was just starting to pick up in popularity as a good place to live, with a great school and so close to the city.”

Another long-term resident Norm Sheppard said he understood there could be milk powder dust drifting over the neighbourhood.

Association president Keith McAlley said there was general disappointment the council had not notified residents earlier of the proposals.

“There needs to be far better consultation and transparency by council,” he said. “This area is unique in being close to the river and sea.”

The Midfield application for a planning scheme amendment and planning permit application and a proposed light industrial park off Eccles Street has been advertised by Warrnambool City Council with public submissions open until September 29.

Each of the applications is likely to get bogged down in controversy and go to the Victorian Civil and Administrative and Tribunal for an umpire’s ruling.

Midfield has already been caught up in favouritism allegations earlier this year over the state government’s $1.5 million grant to the company to assist with proposed $20m upgrades said to reduce waste and generate jobs and money for the region. Those allegations were investigated and dismissed.

Then a subsequent ownership transfer by the government to the council of Crown land which was then sold to Midfield for its proposed dairy factory was also questioned.

The process was again cleared of any impropriety. Midfield’s applications say the milk plant and cool store would operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week and have about 34 trucks a day either delivering or removing products. 

The proposed developments would employ a total of 30 staff on rosters plus construction jobs.

Developer and real estate agent Brian Hancock said he and his business partner had been victims of bureaucratic bungling and forced to scrap plans for a 16-lot housing subdivision off Eccles Street and replace it with a six-lot carve-up for light industrial sheds.

“We’ve been caught out by all this and are now trying to reach a decent resolution,” he said.

“There would be a reserve behind the houses to create space. Anyone with queries should go to the council’s planning department.”

Mr McAlley said tomorrow night’s meeting from 7.30pm at Merrivale Football Club Netball Club rooms would be specifically to summarise the issue.

Midfield declined to comment.

pcollins@fairfaxmedia.com.au