Rainbow Ridge resident Mark Norden has begun the petition in response to Albury Council proposing to rezone land on Willowbank and Doctors Point roads.

The council wants to reclassify the area from rural to industrial.

The Riccardi family, which owns the affected land, has submitted reports to the council backing the plan, saying it fits its "future development aspirations" for the old orchard.

Dr Norden believes more industrial land in Albury is unwarranted.

“There's 151 vacant industrial sites in Albury, there's not a need for 21 more sites right next to the Murray River and adjacent to a residential area,” Dr Norden said.

“The council is seeking $6.8 million from the State Government to develop the Nexus industrial estate on the premise of getting industry out of residential areas.

“If this goes ahead the state government will say ‘you're not serious about getting industry out of residential areas, so you're not getting the money’.”

He is also worried industrial development will generate greater traffic and noise.

“People have already fought and lost the battle with the freeway and we're subjected to a lot of noise from the freeway,” Dr Norden said.

He noted a 2013 study predicting traffic figures in coming years would rise from three to 135 vehicles per hour between Willowbank Road and the southern end of Schubach Street.

Environmental concerns linked to the proximity of the Murray River, the hosting of the rare southern pygmy perch in a nearby lagoon and groundwater contamination have also been raised by Dr Norden in a submission to the council.

A Habitat Planning report commissioned by the Riccardis states the land was “inadvertently back-zoned” from industrial classification in 1995.

It believes there will be a net community benefit in rezoning and highlights a levee as providing a buffer between the land and the Murray River.

“The area has a mixed character, but in this part of South Albury, the character is predominantly industrial in nature,” the report states.

“The main southern railway and Hume Freeway are located immediately west of the site.

“The planning proposal is worthy of support and will deliver a net positive social and economic outcome for the residents of Albury.”

Dr Norden said he had “no beef” with the Riccardis, who had a right to seek rezoning, but noted he also had a right to object to the council.

The council has extended its periods for submissions on the plan from the end of February to March 24.

It also will host a community information session at the council offices from 6.30pm on March 1.

The council is not likely to consider the plan, which needs NSW Government approval, until May.