Residents react to Rail Hub approval

The Eldon St resident told the Post he was “bitterly disappointed” by Tuesday night’s decision.

“I’m disappointed because I don’t believe they (councillors) took into account anything other than the persuasive arguments by (the company’s Goulburn Workshop general manager) Mick Cooper,” he said.

During open forum Mr Fry claimed the DA was flawed, but the council had the means within its own planning laws and charter to address the ‘problem.’

“Methyl bromide is nasty stuff,” he said. “It is a known ozone depleter - a CFC.”

He told councillors methyl bromide had been banned in its entirety in the European Union since 2010.

Mr Fry argued that any approval ran counter to the council’s sustainability charter, evident in the recent approval of Tesla charging stations and other initiatives.

Chicago Freight says the methyl bromide gas will be released at low concentration into the air once fumigation is complete. 

It then “rapidly disperses and reduces to have negligible or zero toxicity,” a company submission states.

But Mr Fry says many industries recapture and recycle the gas. He objected to the noise from rail and trucks and said the development belonged in a heavy industy zoning, not a light industrial area.

“It seems to me the developer is holding a gun to council’s head and if it’s not approved, Chicago Freight will pack up its bat and ball and go home. Council should not be held to ransom.”

Mr Cooper denied this was the case and said his company had made every effort to address people’s concerns. Moreover, he was very much a part of the community himself, he told councillors.

Another resident, Ann McGregor, also addressed the open forum, saying she feared added noise from the operation.