More time to have say on Dingley Village development Brodie Cowburn brodie@baysidenews.com.au THE deadline for submissions on AustralianSuper’s proposed redevelopment of the old Kingswood golf course in Dingley Village has been extended. The proposal will see more than 800 housing lots constructed on the former golf course. The developer is also requesting that the zoning restrictions for the site be changed to allow for the construction of buildings up to three stories, 11 metres, in height. The planning minister has referred the application to the state government’s golf course redevelopment standing advisory committee for consideration. Submissions on the proposal will now be accepted until 11.59pm on 20 August. AustralianSuper senior investment director, Fiona Dunster, welcomed the extension. “Allowing additional time will help ensure everyone who has an interest in the future of the former golf course site has an opportunity to understand what is proposed,” she said. AustralianSuper boasts that the proposal has 14 hectares of open space, expands and creates new wetlands, and retains 850 existing trees. “The new proposal supports a range of housing that will appeal to families, downsizers, first–home buyers and those on lower incomes. Importantly it will help younger Dingley people stay in the area where they
grew up, and older people to stay near friends and family as their needs change,” Ms Dunster said. The site was purchased by AustralianSuper in 2014 for $125 million. Its previous proposal to develop the land was knocked back by Kingston Council in 2018 after public outcry and nearly 8000 community submissions. Council will make a submission on the new plans to the advisory committee. When the new plans were released, Save Kingswood Group Inc spoke out in opposition. The group’s president, Kevin Poulter said “the latest application indicates 823 lots, each less than 300 square metres, and a reduction in car parking plus many more nasties. We are outraged that the developer could even dream of such an insidious plan” (“New plans for golf course redevelopment revealed” The News 30/6/21). To make a submission visit engage. vic.gov.au/GolfSAC-Kingswood
PLANS for a new housing estate in Dingley Village. Picture: Supplied
HAWTHORN Football Club’s new proposed homebase. Picture: Supplied
Community access needed at Hawks’ home for funding UP to 30 hours a week of community access to Hawthorn FC’s new Dingley training facility has been sought by Kingston Council. The memorandum of understanding signed by Kingston Council last month means that council has agreed to provide the club $5 million for the project, subject to some conditions. Kingston Council has confirmed that it expects 20-30 hours of community access of a “community oval” in exchange for the funding. Kingston mayor Steve Staikos said the project is a “cost-effective way to meet the growing demand for sporting facilities while providing good value for money for ratepayers. Developing community sporting facilities like this would cost council around $15 million if we were to go it alone, so working together with Hawthorn to use their land is a smart move.” “Sport is booming in our region with growing participation particularly in footy played by women and girls. The new community oval will help transform a former landfill in the Green Wedge site into much-needed community facilities to serve generations to come,” he said.
“We are proud to take the first step towards a strong partnership with Hawthorn Football Club through signing the memorandum of understanding and we look forward to nailing down the details in order to proceed with the project.” In an announcement on the club’s website, Hawthorn FC Chief Executive Officer Justin Reeves said “the council commitment to proceed to a formal agreement is another pivotal step in our journey to building a once in a generation sporting and community facility which the wider south-eastern community and region can be a part of.” “On behalf of the entire club, I would like to acknowledge and thank the Kingston City Council for their willingness to partner with the club, and their support of our vision; a collaborative partnership which has spanned more than five years,” he said. “The community oval and pavilion at the Kennedy Community Centre will provide local sporting groups with an elite sporting facility, generating greater pathways for women’s football and also increasing active and passive participation in sport across the region.” Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News
11 August 2021
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