By Casey Neill
The State Planning Minister is poised to personally intervene to block a Bangholme produce market.
In June, Greater Dandenong Council approved the DandyFresh application to develop green wedge-zoned land in Harwood Road and bring 200 jobs to the region.
Opponents have appealed against the decision to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), claiming the 5000 square metre sterilisation facility and 8700 square metre warehouse were not appropriate for the site.
In “an embarrassment for Greater Dandenong Council”, Planning Minister Richard Wynne has asked the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning to provide him with advice on the application.
The use and development proposed for the site are not prohibited in the green wedge but there are questions about the appropriateness of its scale and form in the area.
The proposal also sits within a buffer to Melbourne Water’s Eastern Treatment Plant, which is in place to minimise the public’s exposure to odour.
A spokesman for Mr Wynne said the State Government had pledged to protect Melbourne’s green wedges and that wasn’t about to change.
“This proposal clearly does not meet community expectations for developments in the green wedge, and the minister is considering whether he needs to intervene,” the spokesman said.
He did not respond to the Journal’s question about what aspects of the proposal did not meet community expectations, and did not explain how intervention from the minister would play out.
Defenders of the South East Green Wedge secretary Barry Ross said the group had lodged an appeal with VCAT and a hearing had tentatively been set for early February.
“We believe there is a compelling case for the minister to call in this outrageous proposal and hoping that he will intervene and refuse the application,” he said.
Mr Ross said the group opposed the proposal because it would not conform with or support the purpose of the green wedge zone.
Green wedge areas are known as the lungs of Melbourne.
Mr Ross said the market was an intense development that should be classified as an industrial use and located in an industrial zone.
He said it would be contrary to the green wedge protection measures in the state and local planning policies and would have a substantial adverse impact on the amenity of the surrounding rural area.
Greater Dandenong councillor Matthew Kirwan said Mr Wynne’s involvement vindicated the stand he and Cr Maria Sampey took against the proposal.
“It also reinforces my criticism of our planning department for recommending its approval. This is an embarrassment for Greater Dandenong Council,” he said.
DandyFresh CEO Rod Kerley said the development was appropriate in the green wedge and he was “happy to go to VCAT”.
Intrapac Property managing director David Payes said Intrapac was a joint venture partner with some investors on the land and also an investor in DandyFresh.
