AN eight-day panel hearing will convene in February next year to examine controversial plans by the Midfield Group to build a milk processing plant and a freezing and cold store facility in Merrivale.
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The panel, which has been appointed by the state planning minister, will hear submissions from Warrnambool City Council and the Midfield Group, as well as more than 35 residents who have asked to speak at the hearing.
The 187 submissions already lodged with the council — the vast majority of which are objections from nearby residents — will also be taken into account by the three-person panel.
The hearing will also deal with a planned rezoning of land in the same area, which has been ear-marked for a six-lot subdivision by another landowner.
During a directions hearing yesterday at the Lighthouse Theatre, the Midfield Group’s legal representative caused a stir by requesting a date change for the panel hearing in February due to a lawyer unavailability.
The length of time required for the hearing was unexpected and the Midfield Group was “somewhat surprised by the number of objections”, the lawyer said — a statement that drew laughter from the 40 or so people in the public gallery.
Panel chairwoman Kathryn Mitchell rejected the application for a date change and also noted the panel had denied the Midfield Group’s request for part of the hearing to take place in Melbourne, saying it was best that the entirety was held in Warrnambool. Ms Mitchell also said that given the importance of the matter the EPA had been asked to give evidence and make a submission.
The hearing will start on February 3 at South West TAFE in Warrnambool.
Warrnambool City Council will make its submission on the first day, with the EPA and the proponents of the six-lot subdivision to feature on the second day, followed by a site visit.
Panel members have already visited the site, but another accompanied site visit is expected to take place during the hearing in February. A small number of resident representatives have been told they will be able to attend the site visit.
February 5, 6, and 10 will be given over to hearing from Midfield Group representatives, who will call expert evidence from a town planner, a landscape consultant, an economist, a traffic engineer, an acoustic engineer, as well as providing further details to address odour and other technical concerns.
The final days of the hearing will feature presentations by objecting residents.
