Two Cardup residents have alleged that a civil engineering business is violating its operating approval from the Serpentine Jarrahdale shire by manufacturing concrete, but the business has denied any wrongdoing.
A battle between engineering company Wormall Civil and a group of Cardup residents has been raging for more than a year.
On June 26, Cardup resident Anne Hansson and her partner Grant Richardson filed a complaint with the Shire of Serpentine and Jarrahdale regarding the issue.
They raised concerns alleging Wormall Civil, which is 170 metres from their home, is manufacturing concrete instead of using the facility as a transport depot and workshop.
Ms Hansson spoke at the June 26 council meeting and said she wanted to know why Wormall Civil has been allowed to allegedly carry out unapproved concrete production.
“One of the main concerns is the dust and noise,” she said.
“We also have issues about the number of birds like the cockatoos which have lost their homes.”
Ms Hansson said the shire was constantly reassuring residents it would retain its rural charm but the presence of Wormall Civil went against that.
“The shire does not have our back,” she said.
“All we want is for Wormall Civil to stop manufacturing concrete and go back to using the place as a transport depot and workshop.”
Wormall Civil corporate advisor Mike Mulhall said the company was aware of resident’s concerns and has endeavoured to allay them.
“We are not batching or producing concrete on site,” he said.
“We are bringing in premixed wet concrete which is batched elsewhere off site by premix concrete companies separate to our operations in Cardup.”
Mr Mulhall said the concrete is delivered in concrete trucks and then poured into plastic and metal moulds.
“We are confident the operations in site are consistent with our planning approvals and the Cardup Business Park structure plan,” he said.
Mr Mulhall said he was confident the noise levels measured would not exceed the limits imposed on the site and said the shire had approved the dust management plans.
Shire president John Erren said the shire would continue to boast its rural charm whilst accommodating city living and employment opportunities within centres.
“The shire is currently dealing with a retrospective planning application, submitted by the landowners’ agent” he said.
“Once this application is determined the shire will establish what the appropriate course of action will be.”
