By Peter Douglas
YARRA Ranges Council has committed to seeking wider community consultation regarding the rezoning of the Cave Hill Quarry site at Lilydale.
Though much work lies ahead for stakeholders, the decision represents a step forward towards a major residential development on the site, which would bring a significant population and economic boost to the region.
The 163ha site, located south-west of the town centre, is owned by Sibelco Australia, which last year ceased mining operations at the site.
Sibelco has been working with the Places Victoria to prepare a master plan for the former quarry site.
However, reservations exist not only over the residential development, but surrounding infrastructure improvements needed to support such an increase in population.
Central to this is the construction of a railway station between Lilydale and Mooroolbark.
Sibelco representatives fronted the council’s Tuesday 23 August meeting to field questions from councillors, with many councillors voicing some support, yet concern over the lack of progress regarding infrastructure.
Melba Ward councillor Terry Avery was particularly vocal and said greater advocacy and community feedback was required, though he believed the time was right to seek out greater input.
“This is an important development; I have no doubt it would be a fantastic outcome for our community,” Cr Avery said.
“Of course, I don’t think anybody would want this to remain just as a hole in the ground.
“But I think it’s also important that we get this out to our community so they can have an input as well.”
Cr Avery said it was time to take this project to the next level.
“Sibelco … have engaged with community … done the master plan … but I think the time has come where we need to get this out and get our community talking … because they are going to be severely affected,” Cr Avery said.
Cr Avery also used the opportunity to voice frustrations over lack of progress over the infrastructure issue.
This included infrastructure projects which he said were “non-negotiables”, comprising a new railway station, bridge upgrades at Mooroolbark and Hull Road, and road network improvements.
Cr Avery said these items were spoken about four years ago, yet there was no real progress.
“If we introduce a few thousand people into this area, there’s going to be a proportion of them that are going to want to catch a train,” he said.
“So there is no train station proposed and they’re going to have to drive – and they’ll be driving to Lilydale or Mooroolbark, whose railway station car parks are already overflowing because of insufficient space.
“I acknowledge … (they’ve) worked really hard to get a good outcome for our community, but we’re still a big fat nowhere … we still haven’t got that crucial infrastructure.
“I live in that area … I know there are traffic jams and this will only make it worse.”
Cr Avery put forward an alternate recommendation to provide in-principle support to progress the proposed amendment.
However, conditions apply.
These include an agreement being reached regarding the provision of a road connection between the quarry site and Melba Avenue.
Also, a traffic impact assessment report and the finalisation of a storm water management plan.
Meanwhile, Cr Avery was also critical of the State Government’s lack of engagement over the project, particularly given it has been deemed to be of state significance.
The alternate recommendation includes a provision that council advocates to the State Government regarding the need for a new train station and upgrades to the Hull and Mooroolbark roads intersection.
“Well, if it’s of state significance, where is the State,” Cr Avery said.
“Put your hand in your pocket and make some commitment.
“It seems the government can spend millions of dollars on our sky rail for Frankston and we can’t even get a railway station out here in the outer east … and that is an absolute travesty.”
The provisions also include that council urges the State Government to commit to the timely construction of these infrastructure works.
The alternate recommendation passed unanimously.
