By Violet Li
As Cranbourne Gardens Ward has its unique landscape in Casey with major parts being rural and semi-rural, Star News spoke to candidates in the coming City of Casey election on the issues and concerns rural land occupiers are facing.
Candidate Mary Beth Melton said she had heard significant concerns from landowners around schools and places of worship being approved to be built in the green wedge areas.
“This is concerning for residents due to additional traffic that the roads are not equipped to manage, the aesthetic of buildings creating an eyesore on our beautiful natural views, the impact on the habitats for our native animals as well as the destruction of our native fauna and lastly, the irreparable damage that this construction does to our precious farmland,” she said.
“People feel like we are chipping away at this resource and albeit the approval of one building might appear to have a small impact, it is the repeated approval that adds up.
“If elected, I will be exploring what role our council has in this, in terms of approving the permits and calling for a review of our communities’ and council priorities.
“We need to stop approving these permits as a stopgap solution until we can review our position and solidify our stance on this sort of urban development in our green wedge spaces.”
Ms Melton said the council should explore advocating to the State Government and the Minister for Planning to review the Victorian Planning Provisions amendment VC103 in 2013 that allowed the approval of urban uses for Green Wedge land to further protect the resource and make it more difficult for rich developers or businesses or lobby groups to challenge council in VCAT.
Candidate Tamas Kapitany, a rural landowner himself, said the biggest issue for rural landowners was the considerable costs to maintain large properties, particularly with rate increases.
“One of the problems is the restriction of activities allowed, like the removal of vegetation whether it is invasive or not,” he said.
“Now it is even to the point where the council attempts to control what types of trees and shrubs we plant. Council has used excessive policies with regards to storing old cars, and sea containers on properties, regardless that the regulations don’t restrict it.
“People have sold up and moved as a consequence of intimidation. Even affordable recycled asphalt commonly used in many properties has been targeted by the council.”
Mr Kapitany said Cranbourne Gardens Ward was extremely neglected.
“Ever since the City of Casey absorbed this area and shut down Cranbourne Council, we have been forgotten about. They overrate us and give us little in return,” he said, adding “small hobby businesses should be allowed to be developed”.
“There are very few jobs for locals…
“We are a neglected rural community without proper representation and with very little possibility of change.”
Candidate Michelle Crowther said residents had expressed feeling neglected by Casey Council.
“Many rural landowners with larger properties pay higher rates due to higher property valuations but feel they receive fewer services in return compared to suburban areas. This frustration is exacerbated by rising rates without a corresponding improvement in local amenities,” she said.
“Communities, particularly in coastal areas, have repeatedly raised the need for better public and disabled toilet facilities, especially as the number of day visitors increases. I have met some amazing volunteers who are stepping up to maintain the area, even cleaning up waste and rubbish left behind by visitors.
“Many landowners feel that the council is slow in processing development applications, hindering their ability to improve or manage their land efficiently.”
Ms Crowther said she would work with the council to expedite building approvals and address critical needs like public toilet facilities, particularly for the coastal communities, advocate for a review of rate structures to ensure more equitable rates for rural areas and advocate for equitable funding for all parts of Casey to ensure the ward was not neglected.
Ms Crowther also said she would also advocate to protect the purpose and character of the Green Wedge areas.
“Development should align with the area’s character and avoid negatively impacting the local environment and community,” she said.
Advocating for immediate pest control solutions and sustainable pest management programs are also among Ms Crowther’s preliminary strategies if she is elected.
