NEWS DESK
Council interested in leasing golf course site Brodie Cowburn brodie@baysidenews.com.au KINGSTON councillors have expressed an interest in leasing the Kingswood site at Dingley Village to reopen the golf course. The Dingley Village site was purchased by Australian Super in 2014 for $125 million. The original proposal for the land, to subdivide it and build nearly 800 residential dwellings, did not proceed after Kingston Council voted to abandon the planning scheme amendment for rezoning in late 2018 (“Council tees off on golf course plans”, The Times, 24/10/18). Golf is no longer played at the site, and its future remains unclear. At their 24 August meeting, Kingston councillors voted to write to the owners of the golf course to “ascertain any interest in leasing the Kingswood land to the City of Kingston for the purpose of council establishing an 18 hole public golf course”. After council receives a response from the owner, it is expected to prepare a detailed report to assess the viability of the proposal. Cr Rosemary West said “this would be the best possible outcome to what’s been an unfortunate, badly handled, absolutely distressing, and heartbreaking process. Dingley Village residents are losing what they call the green heart of Dingley.” “It’s very clear that the super fund that bought this was very badly advised,” she said. “It seems to me not far beyond belief that they might de-
cide to take a loss, they might become a good landowner and a philanthropic land owner, and keep the course and lease it to council to run. “Council of course leased the original Kingston public golf course near Moorabbin Airport. That was leased by council for many years, it was very successful, I think it made a couple of hundred thousand dollars a year. “This would have to be one of the most magnificent 18 hole golf courses anywhere around. It’s practical, we have done it before, and we can do it
again.” Cr Tamara Barth, who moved the motion, praised the work of local community groups who have advocated for maintaining the golf course. “The Dingley Village Community Association have been very active in this space continuously. There’s a number of lobby groups situated in Dingley with the view that they should get better community outcomes for that space,” she said. “Part of their advocacy is reaching out to councillors asking for interven-
Station opens but works continue CHELTENHAM Station has been officially reopened. The old station was torn down this year as part of level crossing removal works. After two months of construction, the new station is completed. Eight stations have been replaced or remodelled on the Frankston line as part of level crossing removal works. Four more are still scheduled to be redeveloped too. The new Cheltenham Station has two sets of lifts and stairs and a new forecourt and community open space. A multi-level car park is set to be completed next year. Frankston line trains have been running through the new rail trenches below Park and Charman roads in Cheltenham and Balcombe Road in Frankston Times
Super put out a statement that read that it would “consider the new planning guidelines as it determines the most appropriate way to proceed with plans for the site”. Under the new guidelines, at least 20 per cent of the land area at converted golf courses must be set aside as publicly accessible useable open space. Cr West criticised the policy calling it a “golf course land grab” that “allows people who have acquired golf courses to go over the heads of council.”
Pool registration period extended
THE finished Cheltenham Station. Picture: Supplied
PAGE 8
tion to see if we can help and assist them turn that wonderful open space into something that can be enjoyed more by the community.” Cr West said “the community of Dingley have run the most amazing campaign, the 8000 submissions we received in opposition to the development application was very telling.” The state government published their revised guidelines for the conversion of golf course land for other purposes in June this year. After the document was released, Australian
Mentone since mid-July. Works at the station will still continue though, with a green space linking Cheltenham’s retail precinct with the new station and Cheltenham Park still scheduled to be constructed. Further down the line, Kingston Council has resolved to commit $750,000 to the construction of a new pedestrian bridge at Chelsea Station. The mayor Georgina Oxley said that “council has invested $750,000 in the project to deliver a fantastic outcome for the Chelsea community that will see a new 6.8 metre wide bridge with enhanced design features including ramps, new lighting, seating, shading and landscaping.” “Access will also be improved
8 September 2020
with both steps and DDA compliant accessible ramps on both sides of the pedestrian bridge between Chelsea Road and The Strand. We want to make sure communities and businesses on both sides of the rail line feel connected and there is easy access to shops and other community facilities,” she said. “The new train station along with the pedestrian bridge is the first step in the much needed revitalisation of Chelsea’s shopping centre and a major investment in the area’s future.” Mordialloc MP Tim Richardson “we’ve transformed the Cheltenham and Mentone communities with three level crossings gone for good, and two new stations with plenty of space for the community to enjoy.”
THE deadline to register pools and spas with council has been extended. The state government has mandated all residents must register their pools and spas with their local council. A registration fee of $79 applies. The registration deadline has been extended until 1 November. The mayor Sandra Mayer said “with everything that is happening, it is understandable if this has slipped your mind but registering is easy on council’s website.” “Following registration, pool and spa owners are required to engage an independent building surveyor or inspector to check their barriers meet safety standards. [But] you can still register now and have the pool or spa inspected at a later date when restrictions are lifted, there is no need to worry,” she said. Pools or spas, either temporary or permanent, need to be registered with council if they can hold more than 30 centimetres of water. Once registered, the pool or spa must be
inspected every four years and the owner will have to lodge a compliance certificate with council. “Registering and maintaining your pool or spa is a small price to pay to ensure it is safe, especially with many families spending extra time at home,” Cr Mayer said. “Backyard drownings are preventable through making sure your pool, spa and safety fence are up to standard and climbable objects aren’t left close to barriers. We appreciate your cooperation in registering before November 1.” To register visit frankston.vic.gov. au/poolandsparegistration
POOLS and spas must be registered by 1 November. Picture: Supplied