Fears Cruden Farm homes plan will ‘impact wildlife’ Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au OPPOSITION to a proposal to subdivide part of Cruden Farm for residential development is growing. State Liberal MP Neale Burgess, whose Hastings electorate includes Cruden Farm in Langwarrin, attended a community meeting on Friday evening (21 April) to hear feedback about the plan. The estate was the home of Dame Elisabeth Murdoch until her death in 2012 at the age of 103. The estate’s trustees now want to sell 15.8 hectares of land at Cruden Farm — about a third of the total estate — so 116 homes can be built on the eastern and southern parts of the estate. A planning application has been submitted to Frankston Council. Any rezoning of the land from its mainly Rural Conservation Zone status, prohibiting residential development, will need to ultimately be approved by the state government. The change.org petition by the Friends of Langwarrin Outdoors and Waterways has attracted more than 3600 signatures so far and calls on council and Labor state Planning Minister Richard Wynne to reject the planning application. The group says in its petition: “Dame Elisabeth wanted the property protected from any subdivision, and kept for
Historic homestead: Cruden Farm was home to Dame Elisabeth Murdoch, mother of multi-billionaire media mogul Rupert Murdoch. Picture: Yanni
the community to enjoy.” Keith and Elisabeth Murdoch Trust chairman Ian Evans has said profits from the land sell-off would ensure Cruden Farm could remain open to the public “in perpetuity”. Friends of Langwarrin spokeswoman Suzie Webster said more than 50 people attended Friday’s meeting organised by the group at the Langwarrin Community Centre. “The trust have stated that they need to do this as they do not have the money to continue on with the upkeep of the farm, which is about $1 million per year,” Ms Webster said.
“All but one attendee were of the opinion that the biggest concerns were the impact on the wildlife corridor and the dangerous precedent it would set if the trust was able to have the Urban Growth Boundary moved.” Cruden Farm is mostly zoned RCZ meaning any subdivision must be less than eight hectares and state approval is needed to build any more than one home on the land. The property is also subject to environmental and heritage overlays. A thin strip of land is zoned residential among the 15.8 hectares of land, mostly zoned RCZ, earmarked for sale.
Police patrol ‘Fake’ rifle arrest A FRANKSTON man allegedly “waving around” an imitation firearm with telescope in Cheltenham, 2pm, Thursday 13 April, will be charged on summons. A witness called police to report the Mallee Ct man, 42, and a girlfriend driving along Charman Rd and handling the 71cm rifle with scope. Cheltenham police who arrived on foot said they saw the offender “waving around the imitation firearm on the other side of the road”. They challenged the man to drop the rifle and lay on the ground, which he did. He was then arrested and taken to Cheltenham police station to be questioned. The man told police he was “joking around” with the toy gun and had no intention of committing an offence. The man will be charged with being a prohibited person carrying a firearm. The rifle was seized.
Fire witnesses POLICE are requesting public assistance in finding the cause of the fire which destroyed a Langwarrin house, 2am, Thursday 13 April. Detective Sergeant Gary Richards, of Frankston CIU, said later that the tenant was overseas at the time and the premises were unoccupied. He said no one was injured in the blaze which completely destroyed the house. The house next door received heat damage. The Arson Squad conducted an examination the next day. “We are treating the fire as suspicious as at this stage there is no plausible explanation as to how the fire
started,” Sergeant Richards said. Anyone with information on the cause of the fire, at the corner of Hornsby Dr and South Gateway, is asked to call 9784 5590. Detective Leading Constable Helen Vanzetta, of the Frankston CIU, is coordinating information and seeking any CCTV footage that may assist in a conviction.
Dive shop break-in A FRANKSTON man has been charged with burglary and other offences after the Dive Shop, in Young St, Frankston, was broken into and $7000 in equipment stolen overnight, Saturday 8 April. Detective Senior Constable Flyn Loughlin, of Frankston CIU, said a search of the 34-year-old’s home found some of the missing gear, as well as items from other robberies. The man was also charged with theft, handling stolen goods, and possessing the proceeds of crime. He appeared at Frankston Magistrates’ Court, Wednesday, and has been further remanded to reappear on 12 May.
Fight back A MAN living in units behind the former Ambassador hotel, Nepean Hwy, Frankston, tackled a group of men he found allegedly attempting to break into his apartment, 7pm, Tuesday 18 April. The man, who had returned from doing his washing downstairs, was allegedly hit on the head with a blunt instrument but the man fought back. One of the alleged offenders sought medical treatment. Detectives interviewed a man at Frankston Hospital later but no charges were laid. Further inquiries are pending.
COMMUNITY FORUM 2017 Have your say about the future of your hospital The 2017 Community Forum is an opportunity for everyone on the Peninsula to provide feedback on our services and identify priorities for change. Join our Board of Directors, senior management and community members and have your say about the future of your hospital.
When: Friday, 28th April Time: 1.15pm for a 1.30pm start Where: Mornington Racing Club, 320 Racecourse Rd, Mornington Members of the public are welcome to attend.
RSVP essential by Monday 24th April Call 9788 1501 or email corporate.relations@phcn.vic.gov.au
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Frankston Times 24 April 2017
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