Have your say on the future of Beveridge/Wallan and stop the State Government allowing the development of a quarry in your neighbourhood.
Mitchell Shire Council has twice rejected an application for the proposed quarry at 175 Northern Highway, Wallan, and shares the community's concerns that the quarry will create significant issues for our existing and future communities including dust, noise, vibrations, traffic congestion and health impacts.
The community is invited to make a submission to the Victorian Planning Authority on the Beveridge North West Precinct Structure Plan - which includes the proposed development of a quarry on the side of Spring Hill.
Council has requested an urgent crisis meeting with Planning Minister Richard Wynne to discuss serious concerns around the proposed quarry and to ensure the community's input is appropriately and respectfully considered.
The Terms of Reference for the consultation on the Beveridge North West Precinct Structure Plan Ministerial Advisory Committee, reinforce a sense from the community that the quarry is a done deal and that they are voiceless in this fight.
The Terms of Reference direct the Advisory Committee - who will make a recommendation to Minister Wynne - to not consider whether the quarry should be included within the Beveridge North West Precinct Structure Plan. This direction from the Minister essentially limits the ability of the Committee to hear arguments as to the merits of excluding a quarry from this location.
For the people of Beveridge and Wallan, the issue is not whether the quarry is appropriately included within the Beveridge North West PSP, but whether it should be included at all.
The State Government had initially ruled out a quarry at this location before backflipping and is now pursuing community consultation on a new version of the Beveridge Precinct Structure Plan including a quarry in the lead up to Christmas. The timing, lack of information presented, and efforts to limit the scope of input are both confusing and concerning to Mitchell Shire Council and the community.
The corridor from Beveridge through to Wallan is expected to be home to more than 235,000 people. If the quarry goes ahead, these communities will be disconnected, impacting the people who already call the area home and those who will move to the area in years to come.
This consultation presents one of the most important moments for the community to make its voice heard. Now is the time to make a submission to Minister Wynne and the Victorian Planning Authority, telling them: "No quarry in Beveridge/Wallan."
To view the Beveridge North West Precinct Structure Plan or for information on how to make a submission, follow the link below.
