STOP PRESS
  The Panel Hearing into sale and development of the golf course was completed on 9 July and Council should receive their recommendations by the end of August. Council is expected to submit their decision whether to proceed or abandon the development proposal to the Minister for approval in November or December. The Panel report will be released to the public in October. At the same time, a referral under Federal Environment Protection of Biodiversity and Conservation legislation is under way and will require a Council submission, a public consultation period, a final assessment, and a decision by the Minister for Environment and Heritage. At present no date for completion is set but it is likely to be at least the end of the year.

YOU AND THE NEW MUNICIPAL WARDS
  When you vote in the municipal elections next November there will be four new wards. If you live in Koo Wee Rup or LangLang you need to elect one councillor for Port ward. If you live in Bunyip you also will elect one councillor for Bunyip ward. Those living in Gembrook, Cockatoo, Emerald and Beaconsfield Upper will be required to elect two council representatives for Ranges ward. Those living in the growth corridor of Beaconsfield, Officer, and Pakenham will be represented by three councillors for Central ward. Seven councillors, four wards. The Victorian Electoral Commission has endeavored to group communities of like interest.

  Local government is the closest government to the people. It has the potential to considerably enhance the community, and whether this is achieved depends on you, the voters. You select the persons who will be caring enough to listen to your concerns and wise enough to administer a multi-million dollar budget for the municipality. You have the responsibility to select the persons you think should be your candidates and work for them to be elected. It is not an easy job to be a councillor in Cardinia. There is such a diverse array of communities spread out over nearly 1300 square kilometres. To give you some examples, the Port ward (Western Port) covers 575 sq km in area. The two Ranges councillors will cover only 338sq km encompassing areas from Guys Hill to Gembrook.

  It will be interesting to see if the new arrangement will enhance the possibility that the group of councillors elected for three years will become a working team which endeavours to meet the needs of the majority of residents.

Keith Ewenson

PAKENHAM GOLF COURSE - THE SAGA CONTINUES
  The Panel Hearing for Council's proposal to turn Pakenham golf course into a 600 lot housing subdivision, in an area of particular environmental sensitivity, has recommenced. The hearing was adjourned part way through April to consider issues of salinity, high water table and the presence of the growling grass frog, along with a declared 'controlled action' on the site by the Commonwealth Government.

  As under-resourced residents now return to battle over this issue, there are several points that should raise community alarm about the manner in which Council has proceeded on this occasion. Council presented its proposal to the community as a 'done deal' with the developer, Peet & Co. No community consultation was entered into and residents were provided with minimum information upon which to make decisions about the likely impact of such a proposal.

  Council had already engaged numerous consultants, and as well, at the time of the hearing an eminent Queen's Counsel, barrister and solicitor, and administrative support. Council's Planning Manager attended the Panel Hearing full time. A conservative estimate of the cost of this process is about $8,000 per day.

  Council has a conditional contract with Peet & Co for sale of the golf course site and vacant land to the south for approximately $24 million, with the first contractual payment due in July 2005. Council has already purchased a site for a new golf course, under power lines, for $12 million. This proposal is not about net benefit to the community: the golf club at the new site will be charged full commercial lease rates and members will pay four times the present membership fees. This is purely about money with little regard for the broader community of Pakenham.