IT IS recommended in the Phillip Island Recreation Reserve Master Plan that the 33-hectare site in Cowes, owned by the Bass Coast Shire Council for the development of sporting facilities on the Island, be rezoned to ‘Public Park and Recreation Zone’.
Supporters of the project say council should just get on with it.
They’re concerned that if the site continues to be zoned ‘Farming’, some of it might be sold off or otherwise diverted to other uses.
In search of an early win, they’ve called on council to start the planning amendment process immediately. But council says ‘no’.
In answer to a question from John Kuzma at the December council meeting, about how much it would cost to rezone the Carnival Land and Hilton Chadwick Reserve in Cowes, the shire said $200,000 to $300,000.
“The cost associated with a planning scheme amendment to rezone property is estimated at between $200k-$300k. Rezoning of the land is not required in order to facilitate development of the site as all of the proposed uses can be accommodated within the Farming Zone. Council is focussed on using any available funding for the provision of infrastructure on the land.”
But avid council watcher, Graham Jolly, has cast doubt those claims.
After receiving a reply to his letter on the subject of rezoning the land at the corner of Phillip Island Road and Ventnor Road, to the Hon Sonya Kilkenny MP, Minister for Planning, Mr Jolly dismissed claims of $200,000 to $300,000.
“It can be concluded the $200k to rezone the council owned land is over the top,” said Mr Jolly in a message to interested members of the local community.
“The majority of the expense to rezone is borne by council as stated in the letter.”
He urged those interested to follow the Minister’s advice and look up the fees associated with preparing a planning scheme amendment at www.planning.vic.gov.au/guides-and-resources/legislation-regulation-and-fees/fees.
It reveals the following about possible planning scheme amendment costs:
- Stage 1: $3,462.90 (consider request for an amendment, taking action)
- Stage 2: $45,840.90 (20+ submissions, panel report)
- Stage 3: $546.30 (adopting and amendment, seeking Ministerial approval)
- Stage 4: $546.30 (consideration by the Minister).
“In addition to fees, the council may also incur costs related to preparing the planning scheme amendment and any supporting information,” said Minister Kilkenny.
“The council may also incur costs for public exhibition, consideration of submissions and review of any unresolved submissions by an independent planning panel.”
