INNOVA’S fight to be classed as a petrochemical company continues in VCAT, with one resident angry they’d been shut out of the hearing.

Friends of Lower Kororoit Creek president Geoffrey Mitchelmore said he wanted to represent the community, but Innova opposed his participation.

Mr Mitchelmore said he had aimed to represent the environment group and had been working closely with the Hobsons Bay Residents Association to obtain 2500 signatures against the proposal.

“We’ve been working for that because we wanted to tell Innova what we thought of them - that we didn’t want them here in Hobsons Bay,” he said.

“We put a submission into VCAT requesting I join Hobsons Bay for the hearing that’s to take place in September.”

An Innova spokesman said the company strongly supported the community’s right to be informed about its proposal and to comment on its merits.

He said Innova had invited people to briefings and set up a website for community comment.

“The hearing in September is to determine a complex point of law, it has nothing to do with the merit of Innova’s proposal,” he said.

He said on Friday VCAT determined that Mr Mitchelmore could not assist it in its deliberations.

“Innova will continue with its wide community consultation on every aspect of the proposed centre for soil remediation in Altona and, as such, we again encourage everyone interested in finding out more information on our proposal to visit the independently hosted website,” he said.

For more information, visit www.innovacleansoilproposal.com.au.