Golf course plans turfed out

By Nathan Johnston
THE City of Greater Dandenong threw out an application on Monday night to develop a golf course and 394unit resort at Keysborough.
The council decision was in line with Minister for Planning Rob Hulls’ recommendations, and a Dandenong Residents and Ratepayers Association submission.
The applicant, listed as Watsons, applied to develop a 71.4ha site off Hutton Road in Keysborough into a golf course with associated clubhouse, pro shop, restaurant, function centre and maintenance building.
The proposal also included the construction of 394 accommodation units built as two and threestorey homes.
The application prompted 23 objections and two letters of support.
The matter was referred to VicRoads, Telstra, the Department of Sustainability and Environment, the CFA, South East Water and Melbourne Water. None objected.
But Mr Hulls, in a letter to council which was leaked to the Star, said the development was at odds with the State Government’s most important planning document, Melbourne 2030, and its aims to protect the greenwedge areas on the outer urban fringe.
“Based on the information that is available, I believe that the planning permit application, in particular the proposal for 394 accommodation units, is inconsistent with the strategic directions of Melbourne 2030,” Mr Hulls said.
“I will closely monitor the progress of the application and take appropriate action if I believe the State planning policy is being compromised.”
City planners agreed with Mr Hulls, and recommended that councillors vote against the proposal, which they did, unanimously.
Cr Peter Brown said the proposal, in his Keysborough South Ward, was in the wrong location.
“This level of development in Greater Dandenong is welcome, but the zoning is inappropriate.”
President of the Dandenong Residents and Ratepayers Association, Jim Houlihan, welcomed the decision.
“We thought the proposal was a sham the way it was put up,” Mr Houlihan said.
“It tested the technicalities of Melbourne 2030 and the council’s planning scheme, but it was pleasing to see logic and commonsense prevail,” he said.