Pakenham wedged

By Lilly O’Gorman
Some 590 hectares of Green Wedge land in Pakenham is now open for development, after being rezoned as part of the Urban Growth Boundary last week.
Planning Minister Matthew Guy released the Logical Inclusions Advisory Committee report last Wednesday, confirming the land in Pakenham would be included in the growth boundary.
Andrew Facey of developer Parklea, which owns about 150 hectares of the 590 hectares of land east of Ryan Road, is set to benefit greatly from the rezoning of the land.
Despite contributing funds to Gembrook MP Brad Battin, Mr Facey denied trying to influence the decision of Liberal MPs regarding the UGB.
“The bottom line is this – I had nothing to do with this rezoning, it was put up by (Cardinia Shire) Council to be included in boundary back in 2005,” Mr Facey said.
“Yes, I did give Brad (Battin) a donation because I knew him, but I have never been to a fund-raiser for Matthew Guy or anything like that.
“I had absolutely no influence at all.”
Mr Facey said it was logical that that land was zoned for development.
“The reason they brought it in is because all the services are there.”
Gembrook MP Brad Battin said the land included in the UGB was first suggested by the council.
“Unlike the previous Labor Government, the Baillieu government did not decide whose land came in or out of the boundary, an independent process did,” Mr Battin said.
Damian Mantach, State Director of the Liberal Party, said Mr Facey did not appear to be a direct donor to the party organisation.
“He may have supported individual electorate conferences, but appears to have done so under the AEC’s disclosure threshold,” Mr Mantach said.
While Parklea is happy with the UGB expansion, community members are still vowing to fight the decision.
President of the Cardinia Residents and Ratepayers Association (CRRA) Gloria O’Connor said a community meeting would be held to discuss taking further action “to let the minister know that this is not without community disapproval.”
“There is enough development land still available,” Ms O’Connor said.
“I just don’t agree with Matthew Guy’s rationale that he has got to plan for next 20 to 30 years.
“I think the main hit is on the environment really, and the potential for food security.”
The community meeting will be held at the Pakenham Regional Tennis Centre on Wednesday 4 July.
Minister Guy said extensive community consultation and robust probity had been features of the review.
“The inclusion of 5,958 hectares in the Urban Growth Boundary has been supported by the relevant councils, the Growth Areas Authority (GAA), an independent Advisory Committee and the State Government.
“Also in contrast to the previous government’s approach, the review is bringing in significantly less than the 43,000 hectares included in 2010, and doing so in a far more transparent process.”
In October 2011 the GAA conducted its review by assessing submissions and consulting with landowners, government agencies and councils. The independent Logical Inclusions Advisory Committee then reviewed, considered and made recommendations for each area.