THERE’S “progress”, we’re told, in resolving the Wonthaggi planning disaster, but the question still remains, how could a new Environmental Audit Overlay (EAO) be introduced on properties where houses were built upwards of five years ago?
And how could you go about testing a residential development area after the fact, in line with a desktop study alleging possible contamination on a former grazing farm, where thousands of metres of earth have already been legally moved around by mining-style equipment?
Come on!
Wonthaggi resident and father of one of the young building block owners caught up in this mess, Darren Green hit it on the head responding to a Sentinel-Times’ post during the week:
Darren Green: I maintain, how can this ridiculous overlay even exist, with thousands of cubic metres of soil already moved around these estates by heavy machinery, as well as all the infrastructure that goes with building an estate. This is destroying young people as well as other people in these estates, not to mention the construction industry in Wonthaggi. These kids are devastated and they are hearing nothing positive about how they are to move forward.”
In the latest communique from the Bass Coast Shire Council CEO, Greg Box, there is the first sign of something positive but there would need to be a lot more acknowledgement, from high up, that we have problem down here in Wonthaggi that’s not of our own making.
Here’s what Greg Box had to say in his latest EAO Update 3 (May 10, 2024.
“Thank you for your patience while we work through this complex issue. I can assure you it is our highest priority, and this week progress has been made.
“The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) provided Bass Coast Shire Council and the Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) with an update late yesterday afternoon (Thursday 9 May.) They are continuing their work to review the information available, specifically the 2016 GHD background report, to provide advice to VPA about whether the land requires an EAO. The EPA confirmed in this meeting that they will need until the 22nd of May to finish this process.
“The EPA advice will be used by VPA to consider whether the EAO should remain in place.
“All authorities are aware that even when the EPA has completed its work, there will still likely be a need for further assessments, known as Preliminary Risk Screen Assessments (PRSA), for many of the properties in the Wonthaggi North East PSP area.
“PRSAs are completed by EPA Appointed Environmental Auditors. These assessments look at the history of the land over time, in this case predominantly farming, and determine if there is a need for an environmental audit. If this is required, they also determine the scope of that audit. PRSAs typically occur with little or no disruption to individual property owners.
“It is important to note that these assessments are precautionary in nature and are not a result of any contamination being found in the area. A number of these assessments have already been done and there has been no need for further investigation.
“While the EPA completes their review, the VPA and Council are jointly working through how any remaining PRSAs can be completed in a timely and comprehensive way without impact to property owners.
“I have attached a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) to this email as well as instructions on how to search zoning and overlays and our Duty Planner is available to speak to you during business hours.
“The FAQ and previous updates can also be found on our website: Environmental Audit Overlay (EAO) Bass Coast Shire.
“I appreciate the distress this planning amendment has caused homeowners and thank you for your continued patience. I will provide a further update next week.”
No doubt some of these issues will be canvassed at tomorrow's public meeting, at 2pm on Saturday, May 11 in Wishart Reserve, opposite the Bass Coast Shire Council offices.
Here are some frequently asked quewstions:
https://d3pbdxdl8c65wb.cloudfront.net/n/569/2024/May/10/EAO - Frequently Asked Questions.pdf
Search zonings and overlays:
https://d3pbdxdl8c65wb.cloudfront.net/n/569/2024/May/10/how-to_-search-zoning-and-overlays-guide.pdf
