After more than a decade of petitioning, Pakenham’s landowners say they are still being ignored, despite the Minister for Planning weighing in on their concerns.
Last year in Parliament, East Victoria MP Renee Heath called out the long-running frustrations of Pakenham landowners, who for more than a decade have been caught in a back-and-forth between Cardinia Shire Council and the State Government.
Ms Heath urged the Minister for Planning to step in and give residents clear answers about what they can do with their land.
In response, Minister for Planning Hon Sonya Kilkenny MP clarified that the properties between Peck Road and Brown Road in Pakenham are located outside Melbourne’s urban growth boundary.
The land is zoned Green Wedge Schedule 1 under the Cardinia Planning Scheme and the minimum subdivision size permitted is 40 hectares.
Through Victoria’s Housing Statement: The decade ahead 2024–2034, released in September 2023, and Plan for Victoria, released in February 2025, the Victorian Government has confirmed its commitment to maintaining a permanent urban growth boundary around Melbourne to contain the city’s footprint and protect green wedges, rural landscapes and agricultural land.
“There are no plans to expand the urban growth boundary or to increase the subdivision potential of green wedge land outside the boundary,” Ms Kilkenny said.
She added that Cardinia Shire Council is responsible for maintaining and administering the Cardinia Planning Scheme and must implement state policy in carrying out these duties.
But for residents like Carol Moores, the Government’s position has done little to ease the daily challenges on her property.
Her land being outside the urban growth zone has left her without basic infrastructure, with unmade roads and detours turning even short trips into Pakenham into a struggle.
“We’re not rural, residential, or anything — we’re just completely ignored,” Ms Moores said.
Ms Heath said the Minister’s response “finally confirms what locals have long suspected”.
“Although the State holds the power, it’s choosing not to listen,” she said.
“During a housing crisis, Labor continues to block sensible subdivision of poor-quality land that cannot be farmed and is left unused.”
Gazette is awaiting comments from Cardinia Shire Council.
