WHAT DO YOU THINK? SCROLL TO BELOW THIS STORY TO POST A COMMENT.FRANKSTON councillors fear the rezoning of a green wedge area in the south of Bangholme by their Dandenong counterparts could cause floodwater and sewage to run into Frankston's waterways.
Taking up an invitation from Planning Minister Matthew Guy, City of Greater Dandenong councillors voted to nominate the land, bordered by Frankston-Dandenong Road, Harwood Road, EastLink and Eumemmerring Creek, as an anomaly which has the potential for industrial development.
The Dandenong councillors forged ahead with a final vote on January 23, despite Frankston councillors sending a letter voicing concerns that industrial developments in that area could prevent rainwater from naturally draining into the ground.
This extra water could cause flooding at the Eastern Treatment Plant in Thompson Road, Bangholme, and result in dark water flowing into the Eel Race Drain and flowing on to Kananook Creek, their letter warned.
Frankston councillor Brad Hill told the Weekly that when Thompson Road flooded in February last year, it caused sewage to wash up on Frankston beaches.
At a Frankston Council meeting on January 16, Cr Hill warned that if the proposal was approved by Mr Guy, locals could see a "tsunami of turds" pushed into Frankston. Cr Hill urged councillors to urgently write to the neighbouring council and
Cr Glenn Aitken agreed, saying: "The overflow from the treatment works was noxious, highly offensive and I'd dare say a health hazard. The reality is we need to be very vocal."
Cr Colin Hampton said although he was worried about the implications for Kananook Creek, he was concerned that some councillors wanted to tell Dandenong "how to run their council".
He suggested sending a more diplomatically worded letter. "My motion is not as hard hitting and a bit more diplomatic, but you get bees with honey," Cr Hampton said. Councillors unanimously voted to take this approach after Cr Hill's tougher stand was defeated.
Cr Hill, who attended the Greater Dandenong Council meeting on January 23, said that while community consultation was discussed at length, the flooding concerns of Frankston and Kingston Councils were not raised - "what really surprised me was that drainage wasn't even mentioned".
Cr Hill told the Weekly last Friday that he expected Frankston Council would inform Mr Guy of its concerns. "That creek floods when we get big rains - streets in Seaford go underwater. We don't need all that extra stormwater basically. That seems to be totally overlooked by Dandenong and everyone else. Someone needs to speak up for Seaford."
In response to a series of specific questions from the Weekly, Greater Dandenong chief executive officer John Bennie provided the following statement: "Council has resolved to put to the advisory committee its proposal that the Bangholme South area be considered for inclusion into the urban growth boundary.''
''Full, detailed and thorough technical analysis on drainage, overland flow paths, and indeed on the many other important infrastructure considerations, will be undertaken should the state government ultimately approve the inclusion of any of that land into the urban growth boundary.
"At that point, assessment will also be given to the appropriate zonings of the land, and given effect through the planning scheme amendment process."
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