Proposals for built development threatens the Frankston section of the South East Green Wedge

On 18 July Frankston Council approved plans for a very large double storey ‘place of worship’ on the corner of Boundary and Frankston Dandenong Roads, Carrum Downs, in the South East Green Wedge. The complex also includes two ancillary buildings, a guest house, a caretaker's house and a barn, with a combined footprint exceeding that of the Bunnings Frankston building.

Late last year a similar proposal in Chirnside Park by the same applicants was overwhelming rejected by Yarra Ranges Council.  This application is the latest of several being made by various religious groups, amongst others, trying to take advantage of the lower land prices in the Green Wedge to introduce built development that is totally contrary to the values of the purpose of the Green Wedge as clearly set out in State Government planning policy.

The Frankston section of the South East Green Wedge stops the area between the bayside corridor, the growth areas of Casey and the industrial area of Dandenong South from becoming one vast urban sprawl.

This massive complex of buildings will dominate the landscape and effectively delete a sizeable portion of the Frankston green wedge.

Because of the large fees charged by VCAT to organisations, including not-for-profit community groups, the Defenders cannot afford the $1,356.40 fee to appeal this case at VCAT.  Instead, one of our committee members will appeal in his own name using the available $150 concession fee.