By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
PLANNING Minister Richard Wynne has not ruled out Keysborough Golf Club’s proposal to turn its green-wedge course into a housing estate.
A spokeswoman for the Minister at the same time affirmed his pre-election pledge to maintain the south-east green wedge.
She said any plans for the 76-hectare golf course site were “yet to be considered” by Mr Wynne
“The Andrews Labor government has committed to maintaining and enhancing the green wedge and, while we will not pre-empt any decisions, future applications would be considered with that pledge in mind.”
Keysborough Golf Club captain Darrell Swindells said he would not comment at this stage.
He has previously told the Journal that the plan – which involves moving out to a yet-to-be built golf course and training centre about 2.5 kilometres away at 256-356 Pillars Road was “far from a fait accompli”.
Under the move, the current site would be sold to developer Intrapac – subject to the state government agreeing to rezone it for residential development.
If it procceds, the club and its shareholders were expected to yield $40 million.
Defenders of the Green Wedge secretary Barry Ross, who opposes the plan, said he “took great heart” from the comments from Mr Wynne’s spokeswoman.
Mr Ross said the golf club was one of several south-east green-wedge proposals on Mr Wynne’s “plate”, including a Kingston Council application to rezone a nearby tract of land for residential development directly across Springvale Road.
A Greater Dandenong Council spokeswoman said the council was aware of the club’s intent to meet Mr Wynne about the proposal.
In response to whether the council supported the plan, the spokeswoman stated: “Council is not privy to the meeting and is not in a position to comment at this stage.”
