Save Kongwak Group continues fight against Butter Factory development

THE ‘SAVE Kongwak Group’ seized on a buck’s party held on Saturday January 6 at the current Kongwak Butter Factory accommodation as an example of things to come should the planned large-scale development of the Kongwak Cheese and Butter Factory into a wedding venue proceed.

“Constant yelling day and night did nothing for the ambience of Kongwak on Saturday,” local resident and Save Kongwak Group spokesman Michael Knowles said. 

“This unfortunately is just a taste of how the owners’ future plans will destroy the amenity of Kongwak for residents.”

The angst is sparked by plans to convert the cheese and butter factory, which ceased operation in the 1960s, into a 130-seat wedding and convention venue with 39 accommodation cabins on the factory site and neighbouring farmland.

Mr Knowles questioned how the developers propose to manage such a large venue if they can’t control a buck’s party, raising concerns about amplified music close to houses and patron behaviour as people return to their cabins following a function.

“Saturday’s events show a failing of management and that there is an inherent risk of this property becoming a party house,” Mr Knowles said, stressing the developers are not permanent residents and don’t understand the impact of Saturday night’s events or the planned development on locals.

He noted the potential for the situation on Saturday to have got out of hand if word of the party got out on social media and prompted others to arrive. 

“I call upon the owners to restrict future guest numbers to more family friendly limits and to abandon their inappropriate future development plans,” Mr Knowles said.

As previously reported in the Sentinel-Times, another member of the Save Kongwak Group, Carolyn Rowson, spoke on ABC radio about the proposed development, saying “It would spoil the landscape, serenity and atmosphere of our little community.”

The group has put up signs around town with messages including ‘Save Kongwak’ and ‘Preserve Our Valley of Peace’.

A change.org petition has now attracted over 3000 signatures according to the site, a staggering leap from the 350 received by the time of a December 27 article in this newspaper.

That article outlined a list of concerns expressed by the Save Kongwak Group.

These included an indication that access roads for a car park will be cut through the town’s Avenue of Honour, initially planted in 1918 and paying tribute to local fallen soldiers and others who have served in both World Wars.

The proximity of a planned septic tank processing facility to the nearby Foster Creek is another concern identified, along with fears of litter, unruly behaviour and the fact the wedding venue would be just 40 metres from the nearest house.

Additionally, concerns are expressed that required infrastructure for the intended project, such as roads, curbs, gutters and lighting will drive up rates for all South Gippsland Shire residents.

The Save Kongwak Group has stressed that it is not opposed to all development and would support smaller scale projects such as the creation of a restaurant, café or art gallery.

The group has also called for the planning permit for the butter factory project to be removed from the direct application stream through the Victorian Government’s Development Facilitation Program and returned to the South Gippsland Shire Council to enable residents to have their say.

Council’s Acting CEO Renae Littlejohn responded to this publication’s request for an update of the situation.

“Council has not been advised that a planning application has been accepted by the Minister for Planning for the redevelopment of the Kongwak Butter Factory,” she said.

Ms Littlejohn also addressed the reason it is possible for the Victorian Government to bypass council in the decision making process.

“The Minister for Planning has the authority to make decisions on applications that are part of the Development Facilitation Program (DFP), an accelerated assessment pathway for priority projects in identified sectors, including those that are viewed as having significant economic benefits,” she said.

Furthermore, it was explained that that provision was introduced to planning schemes across Victoria in September 2023 as part of the Victorian housing reforms.

Applications must demonstrate that they meet the relevant DFP eligibility criteria to qualify for this assessment pathway, although meeting the DFP criteria does not guarantee that the Minister for

Planning will approve the project, Ms Littlejohn stated, noting a merits-based planning assessment is still required.

“If an application is formally accepted by the Minister, the usual public notice provisions will apply; council and the community will have an opportunity to view the application material and provide feedback, but will not be involved in the final decision making,” she said.

Ms Littlejohn stressed that under this assessment pathway, there are no appeal rights once a decision is made.