State election may delay golf decision

By Paul Dunlop
A MINISTERIAL decision on plans to turn Pakenham Golf Club into a housing estate is not expected until after the state election.
The continuing wait prompted Cardinia Shire Council to last week change the terms of its agreement with developer Peet Limited to reflect the delay.
Council several months ago asked Planning Minister Rob Hulls to sanction the sale of the golf club land to allow a 600lot residential and parkland development.
Council wants the minister to set aside an independent panel’s recommendation that a necessary amendment to the shire planning scheme be abandoned, saying the panel’s finding was fundamentally flawed.
Councillors and senior shire officials said that with no indication of a date for an announcement from Mr Hulls, they did not expect a decision on the $22 million proposal until after the November poll.
At a special meeting on Monday, councillors voted four to two to alter the contract of sale with Peet Ltd, extending the timeline of the original agreement made in December, 2004.
Cardinia’s acting chief executive officer Garry McQuillan said that at that time it was fair to assume there would have been a resolution by now regarding the amendment known as C66.
“To date, the minister has not determined upon council’s request to have the panel decision overturned,” Mr McQuillan said.
“The agreement requires Peet Ltd to effectively pay a significant sum of money by 31 July, without a decision being made it would be prudent to extend the existing agreement by nine months to 31 March.”
Under the agreement, Peet Ltd must make several payments of sums between $500,000 and $6.9 million to council over a period of nearly three years.
Council will receive a total of $22.211 million for the development and plans to use about half that amount to build a new golf course in McGregor Road.
Despite officially endorsing the proposal, councillors remained divided about its merits.
Mayor Bill Ronald and councillor Ed Chatwin spoke out strongly against extending the contract with Peet Ltd.
Cr Chatwin said it was preemptive of the council to enter into an agreement before it had approval to rezone the land.
Cr Ronald said he was on the record as opposing the sale of the golf course.
“I don’t believe it is a realistict option to sell the family jewellery,” he said.
Mr McQuillan said changing the agreement would not affect council’s position.
“Council’s position is not weakened, and neither is the golf club’s,” he said.
Most councillors were in support of the change.
Councillor Brett Owen, who has previously been critical of the golf course plan, was absent from the meeting.
Councillor Doug Hamilton said extending the contract was a technical matter only and actually enhanced council’s position.
Councillors Bill Pearson and Graeme Legge agreed it made good sense.
“Council has already entered into the contract. There is no basic change in the thrust of the contract,” Cr Legge said.