Monash Council has outlined serious concerns with a proposal to rezone and develop a former quarry and landfill for residential housing in Oakleigh South.
In its submission to the Minister for Planning, Council will argue against rezoning the former Talbot Quarry amid concerns about the ongoing management of contamination and geotechnical issues.
Monash Mayor, Cr Paul Klisaris, said it is important to advocate on behalf of any future residents of the site.
"We understand and support the Victorian Government's plans to create additional housing supply but given the site's history as a sand quarry and landfill we have consistently expressed serious concerns about the proposed rezoning and residential development.
"Council is objecting to the draft amendment as it does not provide the level of detail and certainty required to protect current and future residents from ongoing risks resulting from previous quarrying and landfill activities.
"Expert advice is that it is possible to develop the site for houses, but there are significant challenges given its previous use as a sand quarry and landfill. Any rezoning of the site needs to ensure that contamination and geotechnical issues are addressed in a detailed and specific way.
"Council has dealt with the proposed development of this site over many years and has consistently raised these issues. We have made it clear that the proposal is not acceptable to Council and nothing has changed to address these concerns.
"Now that the landowner has asked the Minister for Planning to rezone the site, Council has strongly restated our earlier concerns and identified new issues with the most recent proposal.
"Any future residents in the development will be part of the Monash community - we are advocating for them – we cannot support this."
"I thank the Minister for Planning for the opportunity to provide feedback and I hope we can work together to address our concerns," added Cr Klisaris.
Concerns and objections highlighted in the submission include:
- A failure to provide the detail of rigor and certainty for the management of the contamination of the site given its operation as a former quarry and landfill.
- A lack of necessary certainty and clarity for planning controls for the delivery of the proposed development on the site.
- A proposed exemption from contributing to public open space
- A proposal to make the Victorian Government Minister for Planning the responsible authority for the approval of the overarching development plan but not individual planning permits under that plan.
Read our submission in full to find out more about these and other concerns, as well as the history of Talbot Quarry.
Public submissions remain open until 5pm 4 June via the Victorian Government's Engage Victoria website.
