Course move hits a bogey

By Paul Dunlop
CARDINIA Shire Council will ask Planning Minister Rob Hulls to hold off on a decision on rezoning the Pakenham golf course.
The new council wants to have further talks on the issue.
The council also wants its 2005-06 budget to be reworked on the premise the rezoning will not proceed.
Councillors voted four to three in favour of asking the Minister to delay his decision.
The issue was raised during urgent business at council’s first post-election meeting on Monday.
The moves add a sudden new twist to what has been a long-running and controversial saga.
The council’s vote followed a heated debate, and members of the previous council argued strongly against the decision – and the manner in which it was raised.
Cr Kate Lempriere said she felt she was being “bushwacked”.
Cr Doug Hamilton said the consequences of the council’s move could be far-reaching.
Mayor Bill Ronald said his new-look council did not necessarily intend to try and block plans to turn the golf course over to a 600-lot housing and parkland development.
“We’re merely asking the Minister to defer making a decision to give the new councillors an opportunity to discuss the situation,” he said.
At stake are plans for a 600-lot housing and parkland development on the 90-odd hectare site with a multimillion-dollar new golf course to be built in McGregor Road.
As previously reported in the Pakenham-Berwick Gazette, the previous council controversially pushed ahead with its plan despite a recommendation by an independent planning panel that the necessary planning scheme amendment be abandoned.
Many residents have opposed the development but the council said it would be a win-win for the community, increasing public open space on the township’s eastern fringe and providing Pakenham with a state-of-the-art new golf course.
Cr Ronald and the three Cardinia Ratepayers and Residents Association-endorsed councillors led the push to revisit the issue.
Cr Brett Owen said he did not want to see a decision made on such an important issue without having some input.
Cr Ed Chatwin said his concern was the impact on the shire’s finances if the multimillion-dollar proposal did not go ahead.
Cr Graeme Legge and Crs Hamilton and Lempriere opposed the move.
“Surely there has to be a time when we accept previously made decisions,” Cr Legge said.
“I can’t agree with the proposal.”
Cr Lempriere said she understood the new councillors’ desire to have input but was concerned the issue had been sprung on councillors without forewarning.
Cr Hamilton said “dumping this on our laps” was totally out of order.
The council’s stance has been welcomed by residents opposed to the previous council’s decision, but Pakenham Golf Club officials were somewhat concerned about the impact of continuing uncertainty over the club’s future.
Meanwhile, a Department of Sustainability and Environment spokesperson said last week the Cardinia Shire Council’s request to amend its planning scheme remained under consideration by the Minister.
The spokesperson was unaware of the council’s latest move but said a decision would not be likely until some time in the new year.