By Aneeka Simonis
AMENDMENTS to protect Green Wedge Zones (GWZs) in Cardinia Shire appear to have left agricultural land vulnerable to major developments including the current proposed construction of two major places of worship.
Residents concerned with amendments to Cardinia Shire Council’s soon-to-be finalised green wedge policy have announced they will soon stage a public meeting in a bid to reverse the weakened plan.
It comes as council’s Planning department considers applications for a Buddhist temple in Pakenham and Hindu temple in Rythdale.
In council’s draft plan to protect Cardinia’s Western Port Green Wedge, it made recommendations to discourage non-rural uses including development of schools and places of worship.
However, the plan, now in its final stage, has wiped the clause, causing panic in the community about the future development of open land.
Rythdale resident Max Hobson is hosting a public meeting on Wednesday 28 September to rally community support to reverse the policy before council’s looming submission cut-off date.
Council is currently assessing plans for a Buddhist temple at Watson Road in Pakenham. It proposes to include a Buddhist stupa, meditation centre and monks’ residence area.
A seven-day operating Hindu temple has also been proposed for land at Soldiers Road in Rythdale.
Mr Hobson expressed concerns with both developments in line with the weakened Green Wedge protections outlined in council’s planning amendment.
“I have no complaints about different religious groups … . Just the inappropriateness of development within these areas,” he said.
“We want what the draft said.”
Council’s general manager for Planning and Development Andrew Paxton acknowledged specifications discouraging large-scale development in the shire’s green wedge zones had been removed from the plan.
However, he said council still intended to limit such construction.
“While places of worship are not specifically listed in the draft amendment, the intention of the Green Wedge management plan is to limit these types of activities,” he said.
Mr Hobson said vocal assurances weren’t enough, calling for council to reinstate intentions to keep Green Wedge land free of places of worship and schools.
Mayor Jodie Owen wrote to Minister for Planning Richard Wynne MP in April, urging him to review the appropriateness of places of worship being considered in Green Wedge Zones.
He responded, saying a review was not warranted, explaining council has in place a “robust decision making framework” enabling all planning applications be assessed on their merits.
He suggested that council consider seeking further guidance before finalising their plan.
Those concerned with council’s planning amendment are encouraged to attend the public meeting held at Rythdale Recreation Reserve clubrooms at 6pm on Wednesday 28 September. For information, call Max Hobson on 0424 229 040.
Submissions to the amendment must be received by council by 5pm on Monday 3 October by emailing or mailed to council.
