Victoria’s fuel supply, residents’ safety and hundreds of jobs could be threatened if a proposed high-rise development proceeds at Williamstown, Mobil has warned.
Evolve Development is appearing at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal this week in its bid to house up to 2000 people on the former Port Phillip Woollen Mill site.
The developer is appealing Hobsons Bay council’s refusal to grant a permit to build stage two for 40 townhouses and 130 apartments.
VCAT has approved stage one, for 120 apartments and seven townhouses.
In a statement of evidence, Mobil says it plans to have bigger ships and tanks at its Point Gellibrand major hazard facility (MHF), which is less than 300 metres from the development site.
It said any operating restrictions would threaten the refinery’s ability to provide Victoria with refined fuels, including petrol and diesel for road users and jet fuel for Melbourne Airport.
Mobil said that in the event of a disaster at the MHF, the road infrastructure could not cope.
“Mobil’s concern is that a large number of residents at the tower and other parts of the development evacuating into the area could make roads impassable to the arriving emergency services.”
Evolve managing director Ashley Williams said VCAT had already dismissed Mobil’s attempt “to consider matters outside of the planning controls”.
“Future expansion by Mobil will be subject to its compliance with the relevant planning controls at that time in the future,” he said.
Save Williamstown spokeswoman Charmian Gaud said that with Shell closing its Geelong refinery, Mobil had to expand or Victoria would experience fuel shortages.
“The peninsula fuel importation of heavy crude is unlikely to move to Westernport or Werribee in the next decade as heavy crude cannot be sent through existing pipelines without heating, according to a Mobil report,” Ms Gaud said.
Williamstown MP Wade Noonan said Mobil had made it abundantly clear that it was dangerous to house large masses of people near its Point Gellibrand site.
A spokeswoman for Planning Minister Matthew Guy said VCAT would take evidence from all parties.
