A proposed conservation zone for a private Cranbourne land was removed on legal advice from the State Government and replaced with a conservation overlay, with the Casey Council claiming that both approaches would achieve the same protection outcome.
But the future rezoning could be possible when the land is transferred to the Council.
The change, noted by the City of Casey Transparency Advocate, occurred during the Planning Scheme Amendment C300case, where Casey Council is proposing to rezone 40-46 Cyril Beechey Lane in Cranbourne for residential use.
Council initially endorsed split zoning of the site at its March 2024 meeting, after landowner Browns Property Group proposed retaining a 30-metre-wide vegetated biodiversity corridor along the eastern boundary to extend the adjoining Grandeur Court Reserve and provide habitat and a north–south dispersal corridor for the Southern Brown Bandicoot.
The corridor part was proposed to be a public conservation zone.
Environmental reports commissioned by the landowner confirm the Southern Brown Bandicoot has been detected on the site, a species listed as endangered under Federal environmental law, with the proposed development at one point referred to the Commonwealth Environment Minister due to the likelihood of significant environmental impact.
However, City of Casey Manager of Growth and Investment Michael Ford said in July 2025, the Department of Transport and Planning authorised the exhibition of the amendment, subject to the whole of the 40-46 Cyril Beechey Lane property being rezoned to the General Residential Zone.
“Council was not provided with an explanation for this required change,” he said.
Now, a Development Plan Overlay (DPO) has been proposed for the retention of the 30-metre-wide habitat corridor.
“The proposed overlay will achieve the same conservation outcome as the previous proposed zone,” Mr Ford said.
A Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) informed that the Ministerial Direction – The Form and Content of Planning Schemes specifies that land may only be included in a public land zone if the land is Crown land or is owned, vested in or controlled by a Minister, government department, public authority or a municipal council.
This is to ensure the integrity of the zoning system and that permit requirements are appropriate to the land.
In the future, if part of the land is no longer in private ownership, it could be considered for inclusion in a public land zone.
A DTP spokesperson said that the State Government is working together with the City of Casey to unlock land for more housing.
“Any future proposal would be considered on its merits and subject to a planning process,” they said.
A Browns Property Group spokesperson said it fully supports future rezoning of the corridor to Public Conservation and Resource Zone once the land is transferred into Council ownership.
“Notably, the DPO requires Brown Property Group to vest the biodiversity corridor in Council’s ownership following the rezoning of the site,” they said.
“Once the land is transferred, Council can instigate the rezoning of the corridor to the Public Conservation and Resource Zone.
“This will be a procedural amendment, which Brown Property Group fully supports.”
Planning Scheme Amendment C300case is still in process. At the moment, Council is reviewing public submissions on the draft Amendment. A final decision on whether to adopt the Amendment will be made by Council at its April 2026 meeting.
To know more about the Amendment, visit: conversations.casey.vic.gov.au/c300case
