CONCERNS have been raised after the state government last week announced the $1.6 billion Webb Dock expansion would be fast-tracked.
As reported by the Weekly, Williamstown residents opposing the port expansion are forming an alliance to fight “political vandalism,” saying their city views will be replaced by a 1.8-kilometre line of container ships, giant cranes and containers stacks.
Hobsons Bay mayor Angela Altair said: “The council is disappointed that the amendment allows for containers to be stacked between six and eight containers high.
“I hope the council will continue its close working relationship with Port of Melbourne Corporation to ensure issues of noise, light spill, traffic management and visual amenity can be suitably addressed.”
Williamstown resident Denis Weily said residents had been overridden. “I see it as a short-circuit,” he said. “Once again, the residents of Williamstown and all the surrounding communities won’t get a say.”
Government spokesman Mark Lee said the port expansion needed to be fast-tracked so new terminals could be operating in 2016.
“The PoMC will continue to engage with residents and stakeholders to focus on project amenity and buffer zones.”
Williamstown MP Wade Noonan criticised the government for not mandating world’s best-practice guidelines in the design to minimise impact on the environment and community.
“This decision is typical of a government that has no interest in engaging with our local community — they couldn’t care less.”
PoMC chief executive Stephen Bradford said: “While the planning regime has changed, the commitment to stakeholder involvement and achievement of the best possible design outcomes through a genuine consultation remains the same.”
