Williamstown residents are trying to dissuade people from buying in to a controversial high-rise development on the former Port Phillip Woollen Mill site.
But they have ruled out a Supreme Court challenge against Evolve Development’s stage two plans to build a 128-dwelling, 10-storey tower and 41 three-storey townhouses, which were approved by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Stage one, comprising 153 dwellings, is now selling off the plan. The site is opposite Mobil’s tank farm, which is classed as a major hazard facility (MHF).
Save Williamstown spokesman Godfrey Moase said that in the lead-up to the state election, residents would push for a statewide moratorium on residential development near MHFs.
“Not only is this proposal hitting a market with a glut, but it comes with additional risks that other developments don’t face – on-the-record safety risks from a major hazard facility,’’ he said.
‘‘If we are active and loud enough about these risks, using the state election and spreading the message far and wide, we can make the difference.”
Evolve Development managing director Ashley Williams said only 157 apartments had been built in Williamstown in the past 24 years.
“There will be a further two or three planning applications, which should cover the balance of the site,” he said.
ExxonMobil Australia manager Andrew Warrell said there were still concerns about a high-rise development being situated near a crude oil tank farm.
