Jennifer Pittorino
A planning permit for a paint recovery facility in West Footscray has been knocked back by Maribyrnong council.
As reported by Star Weekly, there has been community concern about the planning application for 2 and 40-44 Graingers Road for a Paintback facility, with 112 objections made to the council, including a petition with 310 signatures.
Wattyl Paints proposed the use of the land for a paint recovery facility which would involve the crushing of paint cans at the site.
In its meeting on Tuesday, November 28, councillors moved an alternate motion for refusal on the grounds that the proposal does not provide a use which is reasonable within the nearby community.
The council’s city development delegated committee had recommended that a permit be granted subject to conditions.
Councillor Bernadette Thomas’ alternative motion highlighted a number of issues with the proposal that would it unreasonably affect the safety and amenity of adjacent or sensitive land users.
She said noted the proposal would result in adverse amenity impacts on nearby properties in terms of noise, odour and emissions and that proposal would result in excessive traffic and associated amenity impact on the impacts on nearby roads,
She also said the proposal has failed to adequately demonstrate how it would have no unreasonably impact on the quality of the surrounding area.
Cr Thomas said while she believes Paintback is a good program she does not believe the West Footscray site is the right location.
“We’ve got houses… which are 30 metres away, we’ve heard very clearly from the surrounding community that this is not the appropriate spot to put this program and I do agree with them,” she said.
Cr Thomas said approving a site like this would not improve council’s initiative when declaring a health emergency.
Councillor Michael Clarke seconded the motion on the basis that any spare land must be utilised in the housing crisis.
He suggested that there are more suitable locations for facilities like Paintback in neighbouring municipalities.
“Further west we have a remarkable industrial precinct, out in North Altona-Laverton… which is absolutely ripe to accommodate industries such as Paintback.
“There is opportunity for growth, an opportunity which would be welcomed by Brimbank council, Wyndham City council and Hobsons Bay council.”
A Paintback spokesperson said they are obviously disappointed by the decision and will now regroup to determine where it heads from here.
