From The Star
NEWPORT will fight any plans to build a nuclear power plant in the suburb, its most powerful leaders have pledged.
Williamstown MP and Premier Steve Bracks has introduced legislation into Parliament for a Victoria-wide vote if the Federal Government tries to build a reactor in Victoria.
And Gellibrand MP Nicola Roxon has promised to join the fight if a nuclear power plant is planned for Newport.
“It is too expensive, too dangerous and not the right solution,” Ms Roxon said.
The Australia Institute think tank listed the suburb, along with Werribee and Avalon, as potential sites for a nuclear power plant in a January paper on the topic.
Mr Bracks said he was extremely concerned at the thought of nuclear power in the area.
“Victorians do not want nuclear power,” he said. “I’m sure the people of Newport do not want nuclear power and Canberra should not be forcing this on anyone.”
Hobsons Bay mayor Leigh Hardinge said it did not make sense to build a large baseload power station in a residential area.
“I would be very surprised if it was ever built in a metropolitan area,” Cr Hardinge said.
Spotswood Ward councillor Bill Baarini said he would fight any nuclear proposal for Newport like “(Anthony) Mundine in a championship fight”.
“If Newport qualifies for a reactor by the (Australia Institute) criteria then I can’t understand why the rest of Australia doesn’t,” Cr Baarini said.
Hobsons Bay Community First co-convenor Tony Briffa has urged residents to speak out early in opposition of any proposals.
“Silence implies consent,” Mr Briffa said.
“I fear if we are not concerned or active about this it will end up being here.”
Mr Briffa said he was concerned about siting a nuclear plant so close to a highly populated residential area as well as the effects of dispersing nuclear waste.
“And I guarantee 100 per cent of residents would feel the same way about it,” Mr Briffa said.
Australia Institute deputy director Andrew Macintosh said that despite being a good candidate for nuclear power, Newport would never be the site of the first reactor for political reasons.
“Politics is the only thing that will write it off,” Mr Macintosh said.
“Some say population buffers (would be a factor in preventing the power station) but there is enough space to have sufficient buffers there.”
Mr Macintosh said he thought Newport would be one of the top 10 locations considered for a reactor because there was more interest siting them in the southern states.
Cr Baarini said he would seek more information on Newport’s potential as a nuclear power site from the Australia Institute and contact the Federal Government.
Mr Briffa said he would consider holding a community forum on the issue to get the full story from policy makers and environmental groups.
Friday, 16 March 2007
Thursday, 8 March 2007
Redevelopment of Knights Slipway
From The Star
HOBSONS Bay City Council and residents’ groups have responded angrily to a proposed development at the former Knight’s Slipway site in Williamstown.
The council last week resolved to object to a planning permit for the site on the grounds that it had “an over reliance on residential and non-maritime uses”, was contrary to planning schemes, and was submitted without adequate public consultation.
The proposal would see nine separate structures built by Nelson Marine Development, including a “place of assembly” that objectors believe will be a restaurant.
The Department of Sustainability and Environment, which controls the site, said it was awaiting more information from the applicant before considering the proposal.
The mayor, Leigh Hardinge, said the proposed development “completely strayed” from the Port of Melbourne Planning Scheme for the historic maritime area.
“To propose a restaurant and residential uses on that block of land is ludicrous.
“The developer is not acknowledging the importance of community consultation which is an insult to both the council and the wider Hobsons Bay community.”
Cr Hardinge indicated that the council would be submitting an objection to the Minister for Planning, Justin Madden.
However, Nelson Marine Development director Michael Flemming said there was “absolutely no basis” for objection or concern from the council or residents.
“There will be no residential use on the site.
“The whole site will be orientated towards marine uses. There will be things like sail makers and ship repairs.”
Williamstown Ward Councillor Angela Altair said the council had been given little time to mount a response, with just two weeks to lodge an objection.
“The council met with the developer and community representatives in 2002, and the developer agreed to consult with the public before any applications were lodged.”
Residents group Preserve Old Williamstown (POW) president Patsy Toop, said it would fight to ensure the site did not become an exclusive residential development, “come hell or high water”.
“It ought to be for the public use and this development will in fact alienate the public.”
Ms Toop said many people believed the “place of assembly” referred to in planning documents would turn out to be a restaurant, and was little more than “a ploy to reduce car parking requirements on the site”.
“It is an over-development of the site and we don’t believe that restaurants and this type of thing are consistent with maritime use.”
But Mr Flemming said the term “place of assembly” was used because planning documents because the final use of the land had not been decided.
“It might be a take-away food outlet but it will not be a sit down restaurant.
“Rather than simply put a tin shed on the site as before, we have designed something that will be open to the public.”
Ms Toop said POW wanted to see the site developed as “a major maritime port of call” and develop industries consistent with this.
Rennis Witham from POW said it was vital that residents and visitors could feel a sense of connection with the historic site.
“With this proposal, the sense of public and open space will be gone.
“The place will feel private and closed to the public and that means people will feel like they can’t walk through the area.”
A council statement indicated that the DSE would give the community an opportunity to comment on the proposal in the coming months.
HOBSONS Bay City Council and residents’ groups have responded angrily to a proposed development at the former Knight’s Slipway site in Williamstown.
The council last week resolved to object to a planning permit for the site on the grounds that it had “an over reliance on residential and non-maritime uses”, was contrary to planning schemes, and was submitted without adequate public consultation.
The proposal would see nine separate structures built by Nelson Marine Development, including a “place of assembly” that objectors believe will be a restaurant.
The Department of Sustainability and Environment, which controls the site, said it was awaiting more information from the applicant before considering the proposal.
The mayor, Leigh Hardinge, said the proposed development “completely strayed” from the Port of Melbourne Planning Scheme for the historic maritime area.
“To propose a restaurant and residential uses on that block of land is ludicrous.
“The developer is not acknowledging the importance of community consultation which is an insult to both the council and the wider Hobsons Bay community.”
Cr Hardinge indicated that the council would be submitting an objection to the Minister for Planning, Justin Madden.
However, Nelson Marine Development director Michael Flemming said there was “absolutely no basis” for objection or concern from the council or residents.
“There will be no residential use on the site.
“The whole site will be orientated towards marine uses. There will be things like sail makers and ship repairs.”
Williamstown Ward Councillor Angela Altair said the council had been given little time to mount a response, with just two weeks to lodge an objection.
“The council met with the developer and community representatives in 2002, and the developer agreed to consult with the public before any applications were lodged.”
Residents group Preserve Old Williamstown (POW) president Patsy Toop, said it would fight to ensure the site did not become an exclusive residential development, “come hell or high water”.
“It ought to be for the public use and this development will in fact alienate the public.”
Ms Toop said many people believed the “place of assembly” referred to in planning documents would turn out to be a restaurant, and was little more than “a ploy to reduce car parking requirements on the site”.
“It is an over-development of the site and we don’t believe that restaurants and this type of thing are consistent with maritime use.”
But Mr Flemming said the term “place of assembly” was used because planning documents because the final use of the land had not been decided.
“It might be a take-away food outlet but it will not be a sit down restaurant.
“Rather than simply put a tin shed on the site as before, we have designed something that will be open to the public.”
Ms Toop said POW wanted to see the site developed as “a major maritime port of call” and develop industries consistent with this.
Rennis Witham from POW said it was vital that residents and visitors could feel a sense of connection with the historic site.
“With this proposal, the sense of public and open space will be gone.
“The place will feel private and closed to the public and that means people will feel like they can’t walk through the area.”
A council statement indicated that the DSE would give the community an opportunity to comment on the proposal in the coming months.
Monday, 19 February 2007
Poison water cancer scare
Update on the poisoned water in Champion Road North Williamstown story.
Extremely high benzene contamination found at one property.
Poison water cancer scare - National - theage.com.au
Extremely high benzene contamination found at one property.
Poison water cancer scare - National - theage.com.au
Monday, 12 February 2007
Yachts torn from moorings
At Williamstown Sailing Club, at least nine boats were torn from their moorings, while two sank overnight because of strong winds and heavy seas. Boats have also broken from their moorings at Hobson's Bay, damaging other boats.
Senior Constable Leigh Wadeson from Victoria Police said a yacht and a motor boat had sunk and nine yachts had come away from their swing moorings at Williamstown.
It is believed that only the mast of the sunken yacht is visible.
'It is up to the owners to salvage them, but members of the Water Police are there at the moment tying them down until the owners get there,' Constable Wadeson said."
Wild winds leave thousands in dark - National - theage.com.au
Senior Constable Leigh Wadeson from Victoria Police said a yacht and a motor boat had sunk and nine yachts had come away from their swing moorings at Williamstown.
It is believed that only the mast of the sunken yacht is visible.
'It is up to the owners to salvage them, but members of the Water Police are there at the moment tying them down until the owners get there,' Constable Wadeson said."
Wild winds leave thousands in dark - National - theage.com.au
Sunday, 11 February 2007
Petrol leak sparks health fears in North Williamstown
A shocking situation has arisen in North Williamstown where a leaking pipe from the Exxon Mobil plant has caused petrol to contaminate the water supply in parts of the suburb. Several people have reportedly been sick from the incident and the EPA is investigating. It appears that it's been going on for some time.
Industrial properties in Champion Road and some households in Challis St report that the water smells like petrol.
Benzine in petrol is linked to leukemia and other cancers.
Petrol leak sparks health fears - National - theage.com.au
Industrial properties in Champion Road and some households in Challis St report that the water smells like petrol.
Benzine in petrol is linked to leukemia and other cancers.
Petrol leak sparks health fears - National - theage.com.au
Thursday, 1 February 2007
Ann St Bridge reopens in Williamstown
The Ann St pedestrian bridge over the disused Williamstown Pier railway line was reopened last week.
The historic structure, that is on the Victorian Heritage Register was removed 3 months ago and restored by the Emerald Tourist Railway Board, using their experience of heritage rail bridge restoration gained from running Puffing Billy.
The bridge has been long closed after it fell into dangerous disrepair since this section of the Williamstown line was decommissioned in 1987.
First built in 1883, restorers fixed the central span and rejuvenated the iron lacework.
See The Star for a picture.
The historic structure, that is on the Victorian Heritage Register was removed 3 months ago and restored by the Emerald Tourist Railway Board, using their experience of heritage rail bridge restoration gained from running Puffing Billy.
The bridge has been long closed after it fell into dangerous disrepair since this section of the Williamstown line was decommissioned in 1987.
First built in 1883, restorers fixed the central span and rejuvenated the iron lacework.
See The Star for a picture.
Wednesday, 31 January 2007
Up, up & away
One of the most fun and interesting things to do in Williamstown isn't actually in Williamstown (for the most part).
A sea-plane scenic flight over Melbourne and beyond starts at Gem Pier, Williamstown. You can choose a 15 minute city skyline flight, a trip out to the Dandenongs or around Port Phillip Bay to Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula before heading back to Williamstown.
Visit Melbourne Seaplanes website for bookings and prices.
A sea-plane scenic flight over Melbourne and beyond starts at Gem Pier, Williamstown. You can choose a 15 minute city skyline flight, a trip out to the Dandenongs or around Port Phillip Bay to Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula before heading back to Williamstown.
Visit Melbourne Seaplanes website for bookings and prices.
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