Bobby Koroneos, whose father Chris worked their eight-hectare property for several decades, said the once-flourishing market gardens area was barren land that could not be farmed.

He called on the council to support landowners in achieving residential development status for the area.

"We can't develop or do anything with the land - we certainly can't farm it," he said.

Mr Koroneos said his family property had experienced a downward spiral since the 1980s due to drought. Their production of fruit and vegetables stopped more than five years ago.

"We need the council to support us to go to the State Government and say these residents are in dire straits.

"There are groups wanting to keep this a green-wedge area. People think it is still a thriving area for market gardening. It's not."

Mr Koroneos said the only thing that had changed since the Advocate last reported on their plight was an increase in rates and an unusual water ban.

Melbourne Water has banned them from pumping from the nearby Maribyrnong River - even during winter.

"This is unheard of. In the past, the bans have been from October to March or April. It's too expensive to use town water and we would need to irrigate on a regular basis. Ad hoc rainfall can't help us."

Brimbank's acting general manager of city development, Leigh Harrison, said the council was addressing the issue by preparing a green wedge management plan.

"This is being overseen by a steering group that includes land owners, as well as council, State Government and community group representatives.

"Part of the area is also affected by planning controls that limit residential development because of potential noise impact of flight paths for Melbourne Airport."

Mr Harrison said it was for these reasons that the council had not supported calls for residential development.

"The council does, however, recognise the limitations on farming, particularly the restrictions on water from the Maribyrnong due to drought conditions. The council has previously raised these issues with the State Government, including approaches to the ministers for planning, environment and agriculture."

Brimbank corporate services general manager Doris Cunningham said rates for all properties had risen 6.5per cent in the last budget.

"Farm properties have always had the lowest rate in the dollar applied to their properties irrespective of droughts and flooding plains, and this continues to be the case for 2009-2010."

Shane Worrell