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Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Members Statement
The 47 hectares of the Eastern Golf Club adjoining Doncaster Hill is due to go up for sale very shortly following a decision by members to relocate the club. The pending sale and subsequent development of the land is a huge loss to Doncaster, a huge disappointment to local residents and to the whole community.
Golf Environment Preservation Inc. (GEPI) has been formed to fight for the retention of this important open space. GEPI argues the development of the land will result in a loss of flora and fauna, including the endangered growling grass frog, and will put pressure on existing infrastructure.
The Manningham City Council has established guidelines for any potential buyers, including keeping 20 per cent of the site as public open space.
Council will use those guidelines to develop an incorporated plan overlay. There is deep concern in the Doncaster community that a developer will seek to increase the density on the current residential 3 zoning on the land. Already the company managing the land sale has made representations to the state government, seeking changes to the zoning to allow greater building heights.
As rezoning proposals and the incorporated plan overlay will be determined by the Minister for Planning, it is important that he also hear and take into account the concerns of the community on the future of this important piece of land before any decisions are made on its use. GEPI is gathering letters from residents which they wish to personally present to the Minister for Planning; I request that he meet with them as soon as possible so that they can convey the feelings of the community as a whole in relation to this land.
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