City of Casey Councillors have approved a planning permit for a proposed residential development at the Cranbourne Golf Course site and included strengthened conditions that deliver additional community benefits.
The application, known as PA24 0697, was considered at the Council Meeting on Tuesday 17 February 2026. Councillors resolved to issue a Notice of Decision to Grant a Permit and added conditions that exceed standard planning requirements, securing higher levels of open space, stronger tree canopy targets and a commitment to local social infrastructure.
City of Casey Mayor Cr Stefan Koomen said the decision followed a careful, transparent and well established planning process.
'We know this proposal has attracted strong community interest, and we thank residents who took the time to participate in the planning process,' Cr Koomen said.
'Councillors advocated for conditions that go beyond the minimum requirements of the Casey Planning Scheme.
'By supporting this application with additional conditions, Council has struck a balance between delivering much needed housing to keep pace with growth and demand and securing outcomes that reflect local priorities and benefit the community.'
The application includes a multi lot residential subdivision and associated development works including a display home centre.
The land has been zoned for residential use for more than 25 years under the Casey Planning Scheme, and the application was assessed against long standing planning policies that guide housing growth in established areas.
While Council officers recommended approval subject to conditions, Councillors unanimously supported additional outcomes to ensure the development delivers benefits for the community that go beyond the minimum planning scheme requirements.
These additional outcomes include:
- More public open space than required, delivering new parks, shared paths, play areas, dog friendly spaces and open lawn areas for the community.
- Thousands of additional trees, supporting Council's Greening Casey targets and helping create a cooler, greener neighbourhood. The developer has committed to strong greening outcomes, including at least 30 per cent tree canopy cover along streets and in public open spaces, and at least 20 per cent tree canopy cover across the site overall.
- A voluntary financial contribution from the developer towards social infrastructure, even though existing and planned facilities can already meet demand.
A key consideration for Council was the site's location near the Hallam Road landfill buffer. Development within a landfill buffer is not prohibited, but it does require a higher level of assessment. EPA guidelines recommend a 1,500 metre separation between landfills and new residential development and allow this distance to be reduced to 1,000 metres where a detailed risk assessment demonstrates it can be done safely.
In this case, the applicant submitted a Qualitative Risk Assessment, which was independently peer reviewed by Council's environmental specialists. This assessment supports the reduced buffer and is documented in the Council report.
Following Council's decision, both the applicant and objectors have the right to seek a review of the decision by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). If no appeals are lodged with 28 days, the developer must submit detailed plans to Council demonstrating compliance with all relevant permit conditions before any development can begin.
The full Council report, along with the meeting agenda and minutes, is available on Council's website.
