Council tight-lipped over latest land deal

By Tania Martin
EMERALD residents
remain in the dark over the
future of the Pepi’s paddock,
despite the council repurchas
ing the land.
The Shire of Cardinia has
confirmed the buy-back but
refused to say how much it
cost or what its plans for the
land are.
A spokeswoman said fur
ther details would be released
to the community following
approval of the shire’s draft
2010-11 budget.
The fight for Pepi’s land
started in 2004 when the coun
cil went against residents’
wishes and sold the land for
$770,000.
The eight hectares acres of
land off Emerald-Beacons
field Road could soon be used
to boost the town’s infrastruc
ture and essential services.
Ranges Ward councillor
Ed Chatwin said the shire sold
the land in a bid to bolster
investment opportunities in
its growth area.
He said the cash from the
sale went into general rev
enue.
“There was a great deal of
outpouring from the commu
nity that this was the wrong
move,” Cr Chatwin said.
He said the land was the
only free developable area in
Emerald.
Cr Chatwin said Emerald
was the second biggest town
in the shire and lacked critical
infrastructure.
He said residents had ini
tially hoped the land would be
used for services such as a
bowling green, swimming
pool, new netball courts and a
host of other items.
Cr Chatwin said a strategy
program would be included in
the coming budget, outlining a
master plan for the land.
He said the plan had
changed over time, with the
original plans including more
open spaces such as ovals.
“This time we have aimed
to provide for the develop
ment of infrastructure,” Cr
Chatwin said.
He said this was a ‘tremen
dous’ win for Emerald.
“It will give the town more
room to breathe,” he said.
“It gives the Emerald the
opportunity to look at a 20-
year program of infrastruc
ture.”
Mr Dudley said residents
were thrilled to finally have
the land back they fought so
hard for. “Some had given up
on it years ago but are delight
ed we have got it back at long
last,” he said.