Wednesday, 13 August 2025

 Ann-Marie HERMANS (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (19:11): (1841) My adjournment is to the Minister for Planning, and the action I seek is advice from the minister that the potential redevelopment of Rossdale Golf Club, in Aspendale, which has generated significant concerns from local residents and the City of Kingston, will not go ahead. Local residents and local councillors are disappointed to learn that the proposed rezoning process for Rossdale golf course is proceeding without the involvement of Kingston City Council as the planning authority. While Rossdale Golf Club was forced to submit a proposal directly to the Minister for Planning via the priority projects committee due to funding concerns, it is concerning that the original government position to support Kingston City Council’s role as the planning authority has not been upheld. Questions arise about the government’s actions: why has the government referred this proposal to the Priority Projects Standing Advisory Committee, thereby limiting the input of local residents and the council? And how will the minister guarantee that the community’s voice is genuinely heard and respected throughout this process?

Concerns from local residents are that they do not believe rezoning is necessary, and the club does not currently have a confirmed alternative location for its golf course. It believes that there are viable options to ensure its future in Aspendale. The key concerns raised by the members of Save Rossdale and the broader community include a lack of community mandate, as only around 400 members voted for this direction over seven years ago under circumstances vastly different from today. Since 2018 and post the COVID pandemic lockdowns in Melbourne golf has experienced significant growth. Rossdale membership is growing and now enjoys its strongest membership in decades, and this golf course also supports and provides public participation. There appears to have been minimal engagement by Rossdale with Kingston City Council and the PGA throughout this process. Kingston councillors say Rossdale’s development is not essential for it to meet state government housing targets, and despite the current board’s position, many believe Rossdale can remain a viable golf course in Aspendale with a different strategic approach.

I met with some of the residents last week. Rezoning would result in a loss of irreplaceable green space, with profound consequences for local flora, fauna and even urban cooling. The environmental studies, supported by the minister’s office and the council for Kingston, remain incomplete. One wonders how the minister will ensure the protection of the internationally significant Edithvale–‍Seaford Wetlands and prevent adverse impacts on the local environment, including flooding and the loss of green space and native habitat, and the enjoyment this place provides to residents in the public. There is a real risk that premature decisions could negatively affect these internationally significant wetlands and the lifestyle of Victorians. Does the planning minister know what specific measures will be put in place to manage the increased traffic and congestion?