MITCHELL: Beveridge quarry scores Govt tick
The State Government’s approval of a controversial quarry at Beveridge North-West was buried in the sixth paragraph of a media statement by Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny (pictured).
Permission for the quarry by the Labor State Government by-passes two refusals by Mitchell Shire Council.
Last week’s media statement deflected focus on to the thousands of new homes that are to be developed in the Beveridge-Wallan area.
“A new quarry will also be established in line with strict planning controls – including a buffer zone and mandatory closure and rehabilitation deadline of 2052 – helping support the supply of building materials for more homes and infrastructure across the state,” was the only reference to the quarry, after years of a bitter battle.
The quarry is to be on land owned by the Mott family, which has substantial business, farming and property interests in the Mitchell and Whittlesea municipalities.
The Mott family publishes the North Central Review and Whittlesea Review newspapers, and developed the Wellington Square shopping centre at Wallan.
The operators of the quarry are to be Conondrum Holdings.
Mitchell Shire Council was disappointed by the State Government’s approval of the quarry.
“This is a hard day for the communities of Beveridge and Wallan,” the Council said.
“Mitchell Shire Council is extremely disappointed in the Victorian Government’s decision to approve a Precinct Structure Plan for Beveridge North West that includes a quarry.
“This decision will have long-term consequences for one of Victoria’s fastest-growing regions. The approved quarry – set to operate for decades – sits in the heart of a master-planned community designed to be home to more than 150,000 people.
“The original consultation on the Beveridge North West PSP in 2019 did not include a quarry on the future urban structure plan.
“The community never had a fair opportunity to say whether they supported a quarry at all. When the revised plan was released in 2021, the question was reduced to whether the quarry was in the right spot – not whether it should be there in the first place.
“This is not a win for our community. After four years of campaigning, thousands of letters, and countless hours of advocacy, people are heartbroken. They did everything right – but their voices have not been heard.”
Mitchell Shire Mayor Cr John Dougall said the State Government had ignored overwhelming community opposition and sacrificed proper planning for industrial exploitation.
“We are concerned that legitimate community concerns have been ignored. This is a bad planning decision – it ranks right up there.” Cr Dougall said.
“It’s a planning failure on the scale of Brooklyn Greens in Casey – where homes were approved next to long-established industrial land, and families have been living with the consequences ever since.”
Mitchell Council and the community have consistently opposed the quarry:
Mitchell Council has twice rejected a permit for the quarry
More than 1060 community submissions were lodged during VPA consultation – most opposed to the quarry. Over 1500 letters and emails were sent to MPs, including petitions and postcards.