Illicit activity may continue at Bradmill site as permit expires without work starting

A PERMIT for works on the Bradmill development in Yarraville is due to expire in February without a shovel load of dirt being shifted.

A planning permit for the Bradmill site in Yarraville is set to expire early next year without any work taking place.

A PERMIT for work on the Bradmill development in Yarraville is due to expire in February without a shovel load of dirt being shifted.

An email to a resident sent from Maribyrnong Council, obtained by the Leader, reveals work on the site is no closer to being started, despite a permit which called for construction to have started by February 2019.

RELATED: WORK ON BRADMILL SITE DELAYED AGAIN

RELATED: NEIGHBOURS FED UP WITH BRADMILL SITE BEING TRASHED

In the email, planning assistant Lana McLean said the council did not expect the development to begin within the current time frame.

“This permit will likely be extended further or a new application lodged altogether,” Ms McLean said.

The site, a former denim manufacturing factory, stopped operating in 2007 and was sold to two Chinese-based companies for more than $170 million in 2015.

Concerned neighbours have contacted the Leader angry that four years on, the project remains dormant.

Bounded by Francis St, McIvor Reserve and the Newport freight railway line, the 24ha site was slated to become a mini suburb with up to 1500 dwellings and retail spaces.

Residents told the Leader they were concerned the site had turned into a hub of illicit activity.

Concerns including unsecured fences, suspicious fires, graffiti and rave parties have been raised.

Neighbour Sandy Guest said an abandoned car had been left dumped in front of the building for several months.

“You often see people wandering inside the fence, including people climbing on the above ground walkway into the tower,” Ms Guest said.

“I first made inquiries in 2012 — it seems little progress has been made,” she said.

The council’s planning services director Nigel Higgins said under the Planning and Environment Act the council had no capacity to compel the owners to commence construction.

A new Neighbourhood Activity Centre containing a supermarket, retail outlets, cafes, a library, medical centre and other facilities remains part of the concept plan.

The project was expected to take at least 10 years to complete.

MORE NEWS

WOULD YOU TRY A DEADPOOL BURGER?

MOTORISTS REVEAL THEIR NIGHTMARE ROADS

TRUCK BAN CRACKDOWN FOR YARRAVILLE