Kunyung Road, Mount Eliza, land rezoning
Mr HAYES (Southern Metropolitan) (09:47): Three parcels of pristine green wedge space with native wildlife thriving hang in the balance at Kunyung Road, Mount Eliza. Passionate community members have been lobbying for these significant spaces to be conserved as a natural and historical wonderland, but some hard work needs to take place. This is why I raise the issue in this place. At these two sites the government has some tools for control to ensure they are protected. The first site is a parcel of land purchased by multinational healthcare group Ryman, with proposals for a high-density nursing home. At present the land is zoned as special use, but the government is currently sitting on amendment C270 to rezone the space as green wedge. The government should, I believe, follow through on approving the amendment, giving local residents the best chance to maintain this stunning place for a parkland. The second site, which is already Crown land, simply needs to have its ownership transferred to Parks Victoria. That can and should be done. With some rehabilitation it will be a wonderful space for wildlife and for the community. Our green wedges are important and rapidly disappearing. We must do everything we can to protect them. Mount Eliza is a great place to start, as the gateway to the Mornington Peninsula. A chain of green wedge parks running down to the beach here would benefit not just the community but the masses of visitors and tourists who pass through this coastal town each year.