We the undersigned, urge Hobsons Bay City Council councillors:

1.       To include in the the Industrial Land Management Strategy (ILMS) recognition and acknowledgement of the long-standing residential community at Techno Park in the Williamstown North industrial precinct.

2.       Consider this long-standing residential community when undertaking the further work noted in the draft ILMS for the Williamstown North precinct including:

·        Future zoning options – investigate options to update SUZ2 due to refinery operation ceasing in 2021

·        Precinct planning – Exxon Mobil site

·        Planning Scheme Amendment to implement new land use planning framework

·        Advocacy to State Government to apply a Buffer Area Overlay to Major Hazard Facilities

Background

Since the community consultation on the Industrial Land Management Strategy, from May 22nd to July 2nd a petition has been launched now with more than 21,000 signatures (over 20,000 online and over 1,000 on paper) and significant attention has been drawn to the Techno Park residential community living at the former Wiltona Migrant Hostel units.

Council’s CEO, in his apology letter to Techno Park residents on 21st July 2023, said that when Council sent letters to Techno Park drive addresses (on the 18th of May) directing them to cease residential use immediately, it was not aware of the extent of residential use at Techno Park.

The CEO stated in this letter, that as at July 21 “Council now understands that a residential community is living at Techno Park”.

Now that Council is aware of this residential community living at Techno Park, this use should be acknowledged in the ILMS.