ABOUT 100 residents packed Balnarring Hall last week for a community information session put on by Arcare.
The aged care provider is proposing a 75-bed centre in Brooksby Square. (“Residents up in arms over ‘invasion’ plans”, The News 23/10/18).
Brooksby Square resident Jan Eyles, who previously hosted a public meeting at her home to alert nearby residents to the proposal, said the session on Wednesday 7 November attracted a big crowd.
“They massively underestimated how many would turn up,” she said. “I think there were at least 100 people, including Nepean candidate Russell Joseph and Liberal MP Neale Burgess, as well as candidates Paul Saunders (Greens) and Chris Brayne (ALP). A representative of Balnarring CFA also attended.
“It turned into more of a fiery Q&A session than the information session they had planned.
“Many residents from other streets attended – not just Brooksby Square residents.
“Of course, not all were against it. The only thing we got out of it was that we let them know how we felt … and how the extra traffic, street parking and safety issues were going to affect our everyday living.”
Spokesperson Matt Archdall said Arcare held the meeting to “help residents understand the residential aged care application before council”.
“Copies of the plans and the expert reports were on display and available to attendees,” he said. “Key project personnel, such as the architect, planner, builder and three senior Arcare team members, were available to answer questions on the night.”
Mr Archdall said Arcare was responding to questions put by residents.
“In our ongoing efforts to help those near the proposed site fully understand how the building will operate, we’d suggest future questions be directed to council to ensure there is clarity about the information being shared among the community,” he said.
“Our original submission to council covered all relevant information to address the permit application requirements and this documentation is available for inspection through council.”
Ms Eyles criticised Mornington Peninsula Shire Council for putting the yellow proposed-development notices up on the site on Monday 5 November (Cup Day holiday weekend) when many people were away. “Only one resident received an official letter [sent to adjoining property owners to notify them of the proposal] and we were still waiting for the other 99 letters the council said they posted last Friday (2 November) by priority post,” she said.
“If I hadn’t found out about it we’d be blissfully unaware of it.”
Mornington Peninsula Shire was contacted for comment.
First published in the Western Port News – 13 November 2018
