By Sahar Foladi
Keysborough residents have won some concessions after a nearby parkland was turned into an industrial site without warning.
The industrial buildings, with 24-7 activity, are located only metres away from residents of Kingcote Drive.
Although the land had been earmarked as an industrial zone since 2008, residents say they were not told prior to buying their homes.
The real estate agent and developer deny knowledge of any plans for the industrial development.
Residents are reportedly “accepting of the permanent situation” and now it’s a matter of how to stop it from impinging on their lives.
City of Greater Dandenong Council and Cr Garad have met several times with the group of residents to ensure the neighbourhood was supported.
Cr Garad said the group were very “pleased after their meeting.”
Together with the council, the group worked to educate themselves about the industrial zone permit conditions for a better understanding of the business restrictions.
“One of the businesses did a one day sale which brought a lot of traffic and interest. They’re not allowed to sell directly from there,” Cr Garad said.
“They were packing and unpacking out on the street. Forklifts were coming out on the street and unpacking it. They should all be inside the facility to reduce the noise.
“It’s about explaining to the residents what the restrictions are and if they find it has been breached again they can contact the council.”
Residents worked with the owner of the two adjacent businesses to tackle major issues with light pollution.
They came up with a hood over the external lights so it sheds light in a “localised way” rather than spreading it across the houses and it has been very successful according to Cr Garad.
Residents also faced huge traffic as GPS navigations led commuters down Kingcote Drive to access the industrial site.
“People would come in there than they’ll realise they can’t drive there so they park and walk across. There was a huge parking issue. People were unable to get out of their driveway,” Cr Garad said.
The group have now worked to rename the section of the Bend Road where the industrial site is located.
“So if people try to go there (the industrial site) they’ll come in from Indian Drive they won’t come from the residential part of Bend Road. That will stop unnecessary traffic,” Cr Garad said.
There are plans to plant mature trees close to where the site is located to “soften aesthetics” and the visual impact of the neighbourhood.
