Banksmeadow plant fears as state looks to rezone
SAFETY concerns have been raised after plans were submitted for a major concrete mixing facility across the road from a playing field in Banksmeadow meaning up to 80,000 trucks a yea, coming and going. It comes as the state government looks to rezone the area.
Southern Courier
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SAFETY concerns have been raised after plans were submitted for a major concrete mixing facility across the road from a playing field.
Around 80,000 trucks are expect to come and go from the proposed site at Corish Circle, Banksmeadow, every year (equivalent to 219 a day). The plant will be across the road from the popular Hensley Athletic Field.
If approved, the facility will operate 24 hours a day and produce 399,500 tonnes of concrete every year.
Artist Jason Christopher, who has a studio in the area, said that, if approved, the concrete mixing plant would be the tip of the iceberg.
“It is right across the road from the Hensley Athletic Field which is supposed to be a safe haven for kids. But now we are being told there will be hundreds of trucks a day.”
Randwick Botany Little Athletics, who use the field, have also raised concerns. “I really believe our little athletes and thousands of other users of Hensley Field will suffer with loss of participants, loss of resources, and loss of revenue,” the president said in a submission to council.
Hanson Construction Materials said the site was needed to facilitate future development projects in the area.
The company said it would implement a traffic management system to minimise heavy vehicle movements when Hensley Field was in use for athletics.
The proposal comes as the State Government looks to rezone a nearby area from light industry to general industry.
The plan, designed to protect land for the growth of Port Botany, encompasses 10.5ha bordered by Wentworth Ave, Baker St, Moore St, Wight St and Corish Circle. At present the area can only be used for light industry, which includes warehouses, workshops, artists’ studios, local businesses, food premises and other services.
Heavy industry is banned. If rezoned, larger industry will be allowed such as storage warehouses, containers and depots.
Business and retail uses will be banned, as will residential.
Mr Christopher said the rezoning would destroy the community.
“We have a great business district here and we all feed off each other,” he said.
“We need to keep areas of business like this as Sydney grows.”
Stan Hill, who runs a photo and video equipment hire business in Wentworth Ave, said rezoning would lead to more traffic and pollution.
“There will be more heavy freight vehicles not only creating traffic but increasing the potential for serious accidents,” he said.
Local councillors Christina Curry and Scott Morrissey said the proposed rezoning will have a huge impact on the area and said it is vital the State Government consults widely.
“This proposal will significantly impact our area and the State Government has a responsibility to consult extensively with our community,” Cr Curry said.
“All property owners within a 2km radius should be notified and the consultation period extended,” Cr Morrissey added.
IN OTHER NEWS
As reported in the Southern Courier earlier this year, Port Botany is expected to triple in size in terms of what is coming in and going out by 2045.
There is also the possibility Botany will be home to the new cruise terminal.
Both the departing Eastern City Commissioner Maria Atkinson and her successor, Dr Deborh Dearing, have spoken of the importance to retain industrial land around the port.
Public consultation for the concrete plant and rezoning ends on November 16 and December 3 respectively.