Cranbourne North resident Lynette King with fellow objectors Bronwyn Schoer, Amanda Stapleton, Peter King, Adriana Sbisa, Julie Paull, Kathy Schoer, Leanne Sevior, Peter Lin, Melissa Schoer are ready for the fight against a proposed 24-hour development. 23354 Picture: Meagan Rogers
By Kelly Yates
MORE than 200 Casey residents have opposed a planning application to build a 24-hour development in Cranbourne North.
The proposed development includes plans for a service station and car wash, ambulance depot and convenience restaurant, to be built on a parcel of land at the intersection of South Gippsland Highway and Huon Park Road.
It has received a mixture of responses from local residents, sparking fears of an increase in traffic, pollution and noise, de-valuing surrounding properties.
Mayfield Ward councillors Kevin Bradford and Steve Beardon presented a petition containing more than 200 signatures to Casey Council during Tuesday night’s meeting.
Elizabeth Street objectors Peter and Lynette King, whose property backs on to the site, said many residents were unaware of the proposed development.
Council wrote to 17 neighbouring residents seeking comment by Tuesday this week, and the feedback will be considered when council decides whether to approve the permit.
“We just have to play the waiting game now,” Mrs King said this week.
The couple, who have been living on their half-acre block for more than six years, said they were concerned about environmental issues, including fumes from the service station and contaminated water from the car wash.
“We don’t want the delivery and storage of dangerous and flammable goods in the area,” Mrs King said.
Mr King said it would not only be residents who were affected by the development but believed businesses would also feel the pressure.
“There’s no need for another service station in the area. We already have two nearby,” he said.
“It’s just greed.”
Mr and Mrs King support the need for an ambulance depot but say the land is not a suitable place.
The objectors fear the traffic congestion will make the intersection dangerous and confusing for drivers and pedestrians.
“Council should look at a new location around Casey Fields, where there is open space and access to main roads in any direction,” Mrs King said.
She said she was pleased the petitions got noted during the council meeting.
“It’s a step in the right direction.”
