Tip group protests Rockbank concrete plant proposal

Hundreds of Melton residents are again bracing themselves for battle as they fight a proposed concrete batching plant in Rockbank.

In the wake of last month’s rejection by Melton council of Boral’s application for a tip, residents have been urged to voice their opposition to a proposed batching plant at 2-50 Meskos Road.

Community group Stop the Tip has sent out fliers notifying residents of a “new threat” which it believes will cause “very loud construction noise, and massively increased levels of dust and pollution”.

Spokeswoman Marion Martin said the group questioned how the latest proposal would be managed.

The planning application proposes a concrete batching plant, replacement of a rock crushing facility and landscape garden supplies development. The site, next to the Western Freeway, is already home to a nursery and concrete crushing plant operating on a temporary permit.

Ms Martin encouraged residents to do their research.

“We’re just notifying residents and letting them know it is on the horizon,” she said.

“We’ve heard a bit of concern from the community … they feel it would have an adverse effect on them. I think people are now aware of what is going on around them and how they can make a difference.”

Ms Martin said there were fears about health risks associated with the dust that would come from a concrete batching plant.

She said the plant would also have an adverse affect on future housing development.

Melton council planning and environment manager Bob Baggio said the application, which was advertised until August 4, had attracted 416 objections. He said objections would be received up to the date the proposal was considered by the council.