Council, residents, Flintstones in VCAT

Andrew Mathieson
GEELONG’S council and Belmont residents will side together today to register their opposition to a proposed concrete batching plant at Grovedale.
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal will hold a directions hearing in Melbourne against the decision from the Environmental Protection Authority to grant a Works Approval permit for Flintstones’ plan.
The EPA believed emissions from an operational plant would not impact on public health.
The ruling follows a City of Greater Geelong decision to reject a planning application from the garden supplier to build the plant.
However, Flintstones has since appealed council’s decision.
The City will ask VCAT to agree to a combined hearing of council’s refusal to grant a planning permit and an appeal by the City and a group of local residents against the EPA decision.
A local residents’ group and the Geelong Community for Good Life opposed the proposal, claiming it was too close to homes.
Objector Terry Phillips said she doesn’t believe the EPA could “logically” substantiate its claim safely without undertaking background particle matter monitoring.
Particulate matter levels can settle in the bronchi and pass through the lungs and effect other organs, causing health problems.
Mrs Phillips said residents would protest the detrimental impact emissions would have on the community.
“We don’t want to be breathing in their dust. If they can get rid it, that’s great but the nature of the material they’re working with is very difficult to contain,” she said.
The two community groups plan to hold a public meeting on Sunday.
Council’s sustainable development manager Stuart Walker said the City would work with various agencies.
Flintstones owner John Holt declined to comment.