NEWS DESK
Come in number C143, your time is (nearly) up
Up in smoke: An arsonist is believed responsible for a $6-$8 million factory fire in Japaddy St, Mordialloc, early on Tuesday morning. Pictures: Gary Sissons
Muscle cars off road in blaze Stephen Taylor steve@baysidenews.com.au A MORDIALLOC motor vehicle restorer watched on in despair early yesterday (Tuesday 6 October) as fire tore through the business he had taken 15 years to build up. Leo Banks, whose Muscle Car Factory business in Japaddy St was well known for its full custom, pro-touring and concourse re-finishes, was devastated with the loss of up to 25 cars in his workshop – some valued at up to $200,000. Kingston police say the signs point to a deliberate arson attack on the business around 2am Tuesday, with Mr Banks on the scene soon after. It is believed an arsonist climbed on
to the roof of the business, one of a group of small factories, and poured an accelerant down exhaust pipes onto a mezzanine area where other combustible items were stored, and ignited them. On the workshop floor were “exotic” muscle cars, including early model Mustangs, Corvettes, Camaros, GT Falcons and a famed 1967 Mustang Eleanor Fastback. The vehicles were independently owned and in the process of being rebuilt and restored. Many are irreplaceable. It is believed the business was not insured. What’s worse for Mr Banks is that he was about to receive the next cycle of vehicle progress payments. His cash flow will now dry up. The fire spread rapidly throughout
the factory, destroying most of the cars, accessories and tools. Police put the damage bill at $6-$8 million, with structural damage to party walls adding to the damages. Up to 15 fire units and 150 firefighters fought the blaze for several hours, hoping to corral it from other factories – including a plastics manufacturer – in the court. But Mr Banks is determined to carry on. “I don’t give up,” he told The News. “I will rebuild the business. This is my life’s passion. “We have seven full-time employees and we work 12 hours a day, six days a week. “I am not going to walk away from them.”
A DEADLINE is looming on a decision by Planning Minister Richard Wynne to save Kingston’s Green Wedge from future landfills and tips. Council asked the Labor state government in May to approve a C143 planning amendment to rezone land outside the urban growth boundary – north of Kingston and Heatherton Rds – from a Special Use Zone allowing waste-related activities to a Green Wedge A Zone. A VCAT hearing, due to be heard on 26 October, will determine whether the Alex Fraser Group will be able to extend a permit for its concrete crushing operations in Clarinda until 2038. Councillors unanimously opposed the permit extension late last year and the firm decided to take its case to the independent tribunal (‘Plant not crushed, VCAT appeal looms’, The News 20/5/15). Kingston mayor Cr Geoff Gledhill fears time is running out for the Planning Minister to make a decision before the VCAT hearing in October. “The future of the Green Wedge is at stake and is poised on a knifeedge,” he said. “With the Minister’s support we could see the Green Wedge preserved for public parks for generations to come. Without his support this won’t be a Green Wedge, it will be an ugly waste hub for future generations.” Rebecca Thistleton, a spokeswoman for Mr Wynne, said: “The Minister is aware of the time sensitivities
Big decision time: Kingston Council is anxious for Planning Minister Richard Wynne to approve a rezoning for part of Kingston’s Green Wedge. Picture: Yanni
around the Green Wedge case and will notify council of his decision accordingly.” Cr Gledhill hoped the Planning Minister will make a positive decision soon to alleviate neighbouring residents concerns landfill operations can continue unabated in the Green Wedge. “I’m still extremely hopeful that the Minister will support the C143 Amendment to protect Kingston’s Green Wedge, but we are at the 11th hour and time is running out.” Neil Walker
RETIREMENT LIVING ON THE PENINSULA
Y A D N OPE
330 Frankston Dandenong Road, Seaford, Vic. 3198 Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News 7 October 2015
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