Council says no

By Lia Bichel
THE City of Greater Dandenong councillors will try and fight a government decision that paves the way for the Dingley Bypass to go through Coomoora Reserve.
This comes after Planning Minister Justin Madden declined to provide an environmental effects statement (EES) on the effect the VicRoads Dingley Arterial Project will have on Coomoora Woodland Flora and Fauna Reserve.
Councillors voted unanimously to support Paperbark Ward councillor Peter Brown’s motions to seek legal advice fight the move.
“It’s disappointing,” Cr Brown said. “I would have thought there would have been enough evidence put forward to require an environmental assessment … We want a judicial review of the decision.”
The council move has pleased reserve supporters including Save Coomoora Reserve Coalition spokesperson Damon Anderson who said he was devastated by the Minister’s decision.
“I had a lot of confidence and faith in the Minister to consider the evidence in a rational way and seek independent expert advice,” Mr Anderson said.
“I thought the information presented highlighted the environmental significance of Coomoora Reserve from a metropolitan and regional perspective.
“There were various sources documented which explained the important environmental and heritage values of the nature reserve.”
Mr Anderson said he was pleased to see councillors support Cr Brown and hoped Coomoora Nature Reserve would remain untouched.
“The reality is Coomoora Nature Reserve is an invaluable community asset slap bang in metro Melbourne and the City of Greater Dandenong. There are very few nature reserves, and importantly this one can be reached by everyone by foot and public transport,” he said. “The community uses it for recreational and educational purposes. It deserves to be saved in its own right.”
Cr Brown moved five motions that include; the council formally request the Planning Minister reconsider his decision and seek advice from solicitors prior to considering any planning permit request for the removal of native vegetation at the reserve.
The councillors present supported all motions moved by Cr Brown at Monday night’s general meeting. Red Gum Ward councillor Paul Donovan was not at the meeting.
A government spokesman said the project was confined to an area that has been reserved in the local planning scheme for a very long time and this has informed the development of adjoining land uses.
“The project is unlikely to have any significant effects on biodiversity given the limited extent of native vegetation to be removed. A Management Plan for the Coomoora Woodland Reserve prepared on behalf of the City of Greater Dandenong concludes that none of the 12 significant flora or 32 fauna species that can occur in the area exist within the bypass reservation for this project,” they said.