THE controversial multi-million-dollar expansion of Midfield Meat has been given the green light by the state’s planning umpire.
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Recommendations and findings from an eight-day independent planning panel hearing were released yesterday.
The panel advises that Warrnambool City Council give the thumbs-up to the rezoning of land and issue permits for the construction of a milk powder processing factory and cold store near Midfield’s Scott Street abattoir.
The 34-metre-high milk plant is proposed for a site directly behind the abattoir on the former municipal depot, while the 29-metre cold store is planned for a site on the opposite side of Scott Street, next to the existing Meat Barn retail store.
Councillors will make their final decision about the proposal in the coming months.
The panel also released recommendations about a separate proposed industrial subdivision and rezoning of land off Eccles Street. The panel supported rezoning to the special use zone, but said information to back the subdivision was “seriously lacking”.
More than 185 individual submissions were made to the panel, mostly objecting to the development.
Merrivale Community Association president Keith McAlley said the panel’s findings were the “most disappointing news he had heard since Martin Luther King and John Lennon had died”.
He said councillors now had an opportunity to stand up and support the community they were elected to represent.
“Rather than being intimidated and bullied by big business, they have an opportunity to stand up for Warrnambool,” Mr McAlley said.
“Warrnambool City Council will be the laughing stock of the state in the future when people see what has been allowed to go on here.”
The panel said the milk processing facility and cold store would provide economic benefits to the region and the sites were within an existing industrial area served by a B-double road network.
But the report said the panel felt more assessment could have been undertaken by the council and Midfield to identify a suitable site away from a residential area.
The panel said it could not refuse a permit on the basis other sites may have been more suitable, adding it could only consider the merits of the proposed location.
In handing down its decision, the panel said:
- * the height of the buildings was not sufficient reason to refuse a permit;
- * recommended landscaping on Scott, Granter and Landmann streets would help break view lines;
- * 12 parking spaces should be added to the milk plant site and a further eight at the cold store;
- * the council and Midfield should consider a community liaison group to work through issues;
- * no wastewater should be treated at the milk plant;
- * trucks had to be restricted to council and VicRoads-designated routes with a permit condition;
- * it was confident both plants would comply with noise limits;
- * accepted the milk plant would use “best practice” to capture particle emissions.
In response to the reccomendations, Warrnambool mayor Michael Neoh said the 148-page report was comprehensive and the council would need to take time to go through the document in its entirety.
“It will be considered by council over the coming months,” he said.
Member for South West Coast Denis Napthine welcomed the panel’s recommendations.
He said the investment would create a large number of new local jobs and provide a massive boost for south-west’s economy.
“There is no doubt that our clean, green, high-quality agricultural production will drive our local economy into the future,” Dr Napthine said.
“The independent planning panel provided all interested parties with every opportunity to present their views on this project and have clearly recommended this project should proceed.”
The full report is can be viewed on the Warrnambool City Council website.
