By Andrew Cantwell and Brendan Rees
It should be their field of dreams, but a huge parcel of land next to a Cranbourne North primary school is causing nothing but heartache to residents.
They bought in to Tulliallan estate on assurances the 6.8-hectare land at the heart of their community would be used for soccer and cricket grounds and other public open space.
Now they look at the empty paddocks with a sense of betrayal … with the land earmarked by the developer for further intense subdivision, and the City of Casey caught in a legal bind with no clear path to securing the land for community use.
A petition, garnering more than 1200 signatures has been launched by Tulliallan residents, demanding their promised sports field north-west of Tulliallan Primary School.
“The community that purchased land in the area, in particular the Tulliallan Estate were told by RPM Real Estate Group, the sales representatives of the developers (Konann Pty Ltd) that the area, located at 195S Alisma Boulevard, Cranbourne North would be sports fields,” head petitioner Rebecca Hyland said.
“We have found out that Konann have now reneged on the sale of the land in question.”
Due to a legal loophole, the building of the estate had started before there was any formal written agreement for a sports field.
According to a council document, Konann applied for a planning permit to subdivide the land into 132 residential allotments in 2015. This was knocked back by Casey Council in February 2016 “given the precinct structure plan depicts the land as future active open space under the planning scheme.”
Konann made a claim to the Minister of Planning and Casey Council for financial loss – which were both rejected.
During the dispute, the developer referred his claims to the Supreme Court of Victoria. That matter has yet to be resolved.
Council offered to purchase the land in June 2018 for $15.48 million but Konann declined, arguing the value was “roughly double” according to the council document.
The developer has lodged a review to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal with a hearing date this year.
Council held a meeting with the State Government in July 2018 which “ended with no clear commitment of support.”
Cranbourne MP Pauline Richards said: “I want a great local sporting facility for Cranbourne North and I understand the frustration our community is experiencing.”
“Progressing a location and plans for a facility is a matter for council,” she said.
Casey Council has been contacted for comment.
