Golf backswing

By Paul Dunlop
A CHANGE of mind on multimilliondollar plans for Pakenham golf course has sparked fresh controversy, with Cardinia Shire Council now backing its predecessor’s stance that it should go ahead.
Councillors on Monday pledged to support plans to relocate the golf course allowing for a major housing and parkland development to be built in its place.
The decision — on a fourthree vote — came after a fiery special meeting where councillors hotly debated the issue.
Council had previously been happy to let Planning Minister Rob Hulls decide but will now tell the Minister it wants him to approve the planning scheme amendment necessary for the redevelopment to go ahead.
The decision endorses the previous council’s position but goes against the finding of an independent panel that heard arguments for and against the proposal last year.
The shift was led by Councillor Bill Pearson, who had previously been against the golf course relocation but said he changed his mind after weighing up the benefits it spelt for council and the community.
Councillors Kate Lempriere, Doug Hamilton and Graeme Legge supported Cr Pearson, but his move was opposed by mayor Bill Ronald and councillors Brett Owen and Ed Chatwin.
Councillors remain divided on the issue, with Cr Ronald flagging the possibility of a rescission motion at a future council meeting.
Cardinia Ratepayers and Residents Association president Gloria O’Connor also condemned the decision, labelling it a betrayal.
Cr Pearson said council — and ratepayers — stood to gain plenty from the development agreement formed last year with Peet and Co.
He said it stood to lose plenty if that agreement was not honoured.
Cr Pearson said the relocation was supported by golfers and would give nearby residents even more recreational space than they currently enjoyed.
“The existing course will have 60 hectares redeveloped for housing and will raise about $22 million for the council, with 40 hectares of land retained as a wetland and passive recreation area,” Cr Pearson said.
“About $12 million of the proceeds will be used to build a new golf course at McGregor Road, leaving $10 million to be used by the shire for urgently needed community assets and infrastructure. The end result of the total package is $10 million for community works, 40 hectares of wetland, a new 200hectare golf course and recreation area.”
Cr Pearson said Mr Hulls had sought an indication of council’s position on the issue — a topic of much speculation and debate since plans for the move were announced in 2004.
Cr Ronald said the community had already spoken strongly on the issue.
“I thought it was an appalling and disgraceful motion,” Cr Ronald said.
The mayor said he remained confident Mr Hulls would uphold the panel’s finding that the proposal was flawed and should not go ahead.
Mrs O’Connor said Cr Pearson had let down the CRRA which endorsed him as a candidate at the November election.
Pakenham Golf Club manager Pat Keane said 400 golfers had signed a petition supporting the move.
A spokesman for Mr Hulls said no date had been set for his findings to be handed down.