By ANEEKA SIMONIS
THE protected status of a number of Pakenham reserves have been stripped by Cardinia Shire Council, paving the way for future housing growth in the fast-developing area.
Reserves located in Duncan Drive and Conrad Court in Pakenham are expected to be subdivided and sold off in the near future following council’s decision to remove the land’s reserve status at a recent town planning meeting.
The decision to release the once protected land to the open market was met with objection, with a number of concerns raised about potential loss of property value, open space and privacy by residents impacted by the Conrad Court ruling.
The council was unable to give an indication about the number of houses that could be built on each individual land parcel, but is planning to set aside land for future road development at the 1939 square metre Conrad Court site.
The council’s planning and development general manager Phil Walton defended the council’s decision to release the land to market, explaining residents have access to a number of recreational spaces in the area.
“The surrounding areas of both reserves have a number of parks and large recreation reserves and as such, the council is satisfied that local residents will still have access to open space,” Mr Walton said.
“The reserves do not have any recreation facilities and make little contribution to the neighbourhood in terms of appearance, so it is not expected that the amenity of the areas will be affected.”
According to a council report, the amount of public open space in the area exceeds the required amount with four reserves including McKenna Place Reserve and Ebony Drive Reserve within one kilometre of Conrad Court.
“By selling the land (we) are encouraging the highest and best use for the property,” the report read.
The council received no objections to the Duncan Drive planning change.
Submissions about the sale of the land will be considered by the council before it is market listed.
