Government advisory committee to consider rezoning and development application for former Kingswood Golf Course site
Council has been advised by the Minister for Planning of his decision to refer a proposed Planning Scheme Amendment and Planning Permit Application for the former Kingswood Golf Course site in Dingley Village, to the State Government's Golf Course Redevelopment Standing Advisory Committee (SAC).
In 2019 the State Government set up the SAC and approved new state-wide planning guidelines for proposed golf course redevelopments.
The Committee's job is to consider whether proposals for the rezoning and redevelopment of golf course land, referred to it by the Minister for Planning, satisfy the new Planning Guidelines and are consistent with State and Local Planning Policy.
The Minister has advised Kingston that the combined draft Planning Scheme Amendment and Planning Permit Application C199 submitted by AustralianSuper will be referred to the SAC for its consideration.
Council and members of the community will have an opportunity to make submissions during the public exhibition period to commence in the coming months.
Kingston Mayor Steve Staikos said the Planning Minister's decision means that although Council, like the community, will have an opportunity to make a submission to the Advisory Committee, it will not have the final say about the future of the site.
"The community can be assured that Council will be making a very comprehensive submission to the Standing Advisory Committee on behalf of our community, but it is really important that the community also adds its voice and lets the Committee know how it feels about the proposed rezoning and development application for the site," said Cr Staikos.
Caruana Ward Councillor George Hua also added his voice of concern in relation to this issue.
"We know the Dingley and broader community is very passionate about what happens to the former Kingswood Golf Course site," said Cr Hua.
"Council refused the most recent development application for the site after we received a record 8000+ community submissions rejecting the proposal. It is critical that the State Government's Golf Course Redevelopment Standing Advisory Committee hears from the community through the process to understand their views on the proposal."
Planning Panels Victoria is required to publicly exhibit the proposed Planning Scheme Amendment for a minimum of 30 business days, after which a public hearing will take place. A final report will then be submitted to the Minister for Planning to determine whether to approve the amendment with or without changes.
