Perth Voice Interactive

REVISED plans for a concrete batching plant on Collier Road have been rejected by Bayswater city council.

WA Limestone’s original application was booted in June 2011, with residents and councillors concerned about the impact of dust and noise.

The applicant appealed to the state administrative tribunal, which issued conditional approval in July last year.

However, WA Limestone wanted further changes and came back to council with a revised proposal last week.

Despite the SAT’s earlier decision, Cr Barry McKenna gave a rousing speech on the dangers of approving the plant.

“Build your batching plant in a more appropriate locality, not near residents or a very popular local reserve is the clear message given by the ratepayers,” he told the chamber and gallery.

“It has been nearly four years since this item first came to council and in that time the issue of dust and noise has not been removed.

“On this matter I have not had any ratepayers speak to me and say you need to support a concrete batching plant: it has met with total opposition from my electorate.

“The council continues unanimously to state that this proposed batching plant is not consistent with proper and orderly planning.”

Former councillor Sally Palmer, who has spearheaded the residents’ campaign against the plant, says there is not enough information available to grant approval.

“The department of environment haven’t got back to us with their findings yet,” she says.

“This has been going on for five years and I not only feel sorry for the residents, because of the long-term uncertainty, but also the applicant.”

by STEPHEN POLLOCK