Trucks have ceased travelling along a quiet Sunbury street after the state’s planning tribunal ordered that all work at 370 Riddell Road must stop.
Hume council took Fendall Farms Pty Ltd and Paul Attwell to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) over the ongoing works happening at 370 Riddell Road.
As reported by Star Weekly, truck movements on Canterbury Avenue due to the works were reaching 300 a day.
On Thursday 16 October, VCAT ordered all activity at the site to cease immediately.
VCAT also ordered that a permit must be issued before any new works can commence at the site.
Council said applying for permits did not simply mean the works would begin again, with any permits approved by council coming with stringent conditions.
Council also said if works commence on the land without approval, the matter will return to VCAT.
Mayor Jarrod Bell welcomed the outcome.
“[Thursday’s] VCAT decision is a win for the community in Canterbury Hills estate, and I want to thank them for their unwavering advocacy as we fought for an outcome that would stop this brazen misuse of Canterbury Avenue,” he said.
“I also want to thank council staff, who patiently and diligently collected evidence and did everything in their legal powers to find a resolution for our community.
“We have been with you in this fight, and we thank you for your patience in making sure we could ‘stop the trucks’ legally and with reassurances for future activity.”
The decision was also welcomed by Canterbury Ave Sunbury, a resident-led advocacy Facebook page.
In a statement published to its page, it welcomed the decision, calling it a major victory for the community.
“This is a huge step forward for Canterbury Avenue residents who have endured nearly a year of illegal dumping, dust pollution, noise, and danger. The EPA penalty is still to come, and we expect full accountability for the environmental destruction and health risks caused,” the statement said.
Council said it will continue to keep a close eye on the site and take further action if needed.
