Eleven hectare development scuttled

An 11-hectare expansion of Wyndham Harbour by Lyons Capital has been voted against by local MP Tim Pallas, causing planning minister Matthew Guy to slam his decision.

Amendment C156 to the Wyndham Planning Scheme was approved earlier this year by Guy, allowing for the expansion of the Wyndham Harbour project located in Melbourne's west.

At the time, he said the planning scheme amendment will support the growth of the Harbour to a community of 1,400 residents and help fast-track a planned ferry service link to Docklands and Melbourne CBD.

The amendment rezoned 11 hectares of land to accelerate the development of the 1,000 berth marina and to allow for 10 kilometres of extensions of gas and water mains and reticulated sewage. 

Up to 3,000 jobs during the five-year construction, and then 440 ongoing jobs associated with marina operations, were expected, along with higher density housing.

Pallas voted against the development recently, prompting Guy to accuse the Labor MP of being against job creation.

Claiming Pallas wrote to the developer, Lyons Capital, in May in support of the project, expressing enthusiasm, Guy queried the about-turn. 

“One month Labor are vehemently in favour of a development, the next month  they oppose it,” he said.

“The Labor Opposition need to explain to the people of Melbourne’s fast  growing Western suburbs why they are voting against planning scheme  amendments that create local jobs and local investment in areas where it’s  needed the most.

“Local Labor MP and Shadow Treasurer Tim Pallas has demolished his own  credibility by purporting to back local Wyndham jobs; even writing to  developers to say so, then doing the exact opposite by voting against the  Wyndham Harbour development in Parliament.”

When Property Observer approached Pallas' office for comment, they said his letter had been taken out of context, and provided a full copy.

Pallas' office particularly referred to the section below:

As discussed at our briefing, given the lack of access along the western shoreline of Port Phillip Bay due to water depth and environmental constraints, I wish to confirm my support for:

1. The establishment of a ferry terminal at Wyndham Harbour (to be funded by the developer of the service)

2. The expansion of an additional 45 hectares of land at Werribee South needed to increase population around a Transit Orientated Development to be known as Wyndham Cove. Any such extension will need to go through the appropriate planning approval processes and I will be keen to ensure that any proposed development makes provision for all necessary community infrastructure to cope with any added population.

The above support is provided on the following basis:

1. The ferry service is not subsidised by the Victorian State Government;

2. Lyons commitment to creating a publically accessible park along the Werribee South Beach foreshore;

3. Lyons does not represent the ferry initiative as a mass transit solution but as a niche transport solution to Point Cook and neighbouring localities;

4. All capital costs of the establishment of the service to be borne by Lyons Capital Pty Ltd.

Tim Pallas has been approached for further comment. Lyons Capital has also been approached for comment. 

Property Observer will provide updates as they come through.