South East Green Wedge - Department of Planning and Community ...

South East Green Wedge
Background Report and Issues Paper
Part 1 - Issues Paper
Final - 9 October 2008
Department of Planning and Community Development and
Cities of Kingston, Greater Dandenong, Frankston and Casey

This Report has been prepared for:
Department of Planning and Community Development and the Cities of
Kingston, Greater Dandenong, Frankston, Casey
This Report has been prepared by:
SGS Economics and Planning Pty. Ltd.
ACN 007 437 729
5 th Floor, 171 Latrobe Street,
Melbourne Victoria 3000
phone: 61 3 9606 0994
fax: 61 3 9606 0995
email: sgs@sgsepcom.au
web: www.sgsep.com.au

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Table of Contents
1 Introduction ....................................................................... 1
1.1 Background .............................................................................................................. 1
1.2 Purpose ................................................................................................................... 1
1.3 This Report: Part 1 of 2 .............................................................................................. 1
1.4 Scope and Disclaimer ................................................................................................. 3
2 Melbourne 2030 Context ...................................................... 4
3 Land Use and Economic Context ............................................ 6
3.1 Location ................................................................................................................... 6
3.2 Land Use Zoning ....................................................................................................... 6
3.3 Economy .................................................................................................................. 8
3.4 Land Use Activity and Property Market ......................................................................... 8
3.5 Future Pressures ....................................................................................................... 9
4 Existing Conditions ............................................................ 10
4.1 Overview of Features and SWOTS .............................................................................. 10
4.2 Kingston ................................................................................................................ 13
4.3 Greater Dandenong ................................................................................................. 14
4.4 Frankston .............................................................................................................. 16
4.5 Casey .................................................................................................................... 17
5 Issues ............................................................................... 19
5.1 Lack of a Shared Vision amongst Stakeholders ............................................................ 19
5.2 Divergence in Opinion is Greatest in Relation to the Northern Parts of the Area ................ 19
5.3 The Kingston ‘Hot Spot’ ............................................................................................ 20
5.4 The Greater Dandenong ‘Hot Spot’ ............................................................................. 21
5.5 Agricultural Value .................................................................................................... 21
5.6 Shared View: Protect Environmental and Heritage Assets and Develop the Open Space
Network ................................................................................................................. 22
5.7 Environmental Degradation ...................................................................................... 22
5.8 Shared View: Protect Infrastructure Assets and Buffers ................................................. 23
5.9 Other Industries and Buffers ..................................................................................... 23
5.10 Policy Framework .................................................................................................... 23
5.11 What to Make of the Issues? ..................................................................................... 24
6 Possible Management Solutions ........................................... 25
6.1 Management and Implementation Group .................................................................... 25
6.2 Green Wedge Management and Implementation Plan ................................................... 25
6.3 Possible Strategic Directions ..................................................................................... 27
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Figures
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Figure 1: South East Green Wedge Study Area ....................................................................... 2
Figure 2: Melbourne 2030 Green Wedges .............................................................................. 4
Figure 3: Zoning Conditions ................................................................................................ 7
Tables
Table 1: Features and Values of the South East Green Wedge .................................................. 5
Table 2: Land Area (Hectares) by Selected Zone Classifications ................................................ 8

1 Introduction
1.1 Background
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SGS Economics and Planning Pty Ltd (SGS) was commissioned in March 2008 by the Department
of Planning and Community Development and the Cities of Kingston, Greater Dandenong,
Frankston and Casey to prepare base information to enable the preparation of a Green Wedge
Management Plan for the South East Green Wedge. The study brief provides the following
information on this subject.
“Action 4 of M2030 Implementation Plan 5 “Green Wedges” states that a management plan
should be written for each of the 12 designated Green Wedges that surround Melbourne.
Green Wedge Management Plans (GWMPs) will help to ensure that Green Wedges are
protected and that a sustainable future is secured for these valuable areas of land. The
State Government identifies that Local Government in partnership with the State must
develop a GWMP for each Green Wedge. A GWMP is a strategy that identifies a vision,
objectives and actions for the sustainable development of each Green Wedge. The Plan will
identify the values and features of each Green Wedge, the preferred future land use,
environmental and natural resources that should be protected, and the needs of the local
community.”
The South East Green Wedge is one of 12 green wedges which are located in the metropolitan
Melbourne area and outside the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB).
1.2 Purpose
The purpose of this report is to assemble and analyse base information on the South East Green
Wedge. This information will be used by the client group to enable the preparation of a Green
Wedge Management Plan for the area.
The Study Area is shown in Figure 1 overleaf.
1.3 This Report: Part 1 of 2
This is the first of two reports that have been prepared for this project. This report - Part 1
Issues Paper - presents the synthesised findings and policy recommendations for the project.
The separate Part 2 Background Report contains the research material that was collated for the
project.

Figure 1: South East Green Wedge Study Area
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This report is structured as follows:
� Section 2 - Melbourne 2030 Context;
� Section 3 - Land Use and Economic Context;
� Section 4 - Existing Conditions;
� Section 5 – Issues; and
� Section 6 - Possible Management Solutions.
1.4 Scope and Disclaimer
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This report is designed to assist the strategic planning process for the South East Green Wedge.
This document summarises information relevant to the South East Green Wedge to the extent
possible within the scope of this project. The information base should not be interpreted as being
exhaustive.
This report is not a strategic plan. Whist information is synthesised as best possible for the
purposes of background reporting, proper prioritisation of issues, identification of strategic options,
evaluation of options and development of a strategy is required as part of the plan making process,
which is separate project.

2 Melbourne 2030 Context
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The main thrust of Melbourne 2030 is to establish a more compact city, which is defined by a series
of high density and multi-purpose activity centres (within Melbourne and regional Victoria) that are
‘tied together’ by an effective public transport network.
An important implementation element of Melbourne 2030 is the Urban Growth Boundary, which
clearly defines the urban area from non-urban areas, the latter called green wedges. Whilst green
wedges have had a long history in the planning of the metropolitan area, Melbourne 2030 has
reinforced the significance of green wedges in policy and in the statutory planning framework.
The green wedges as presented in Melbourne 2030 are shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2: Melbourne 2030 Green Wedges
Source: Melbourne 2030

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The table below sets out preliminary features of the South East Green Wedge as stated in
Melbourne 2030.
Table 1: Features and Values of the South East Green Wedge
Feature Value
Internationally recognised wetlands, such as Seaford-Edithvale Environmental
Eastern Treatment Plant and related odour buffers Economic, environmental
Areas with potential for waste-water recycling Economic, environmental
Sand resources and metropolitan landfills, such as Dingley /
Heatherton and Langwarrin
Economic
Areas of landscape and environmental significance Social, environmental
Designated odour and safety buffers near Dandenong South
industrial area
Economic, environmental, social
Moorabbin airport and related flight paths Economic, social
Locations with productive agricultural potential Economic
Source: Melbourne 2030

3 Land Use and Economic Context
3.1 Location
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As shown in Figure 1 above, the South East Green Wedge is located in the municipalities of
Kingston, Greater Dandenong, Frankston and Casey.
The study area is located between two urban corridors: the bayside corridor (generally from
Moorabbin to Frankston) and the south eastern corridor (generally from Clayton South to
Cranbourne). The study area includes parts of Moorabbin, Heatherton, Clarinda, Clayton South,
Dingley Village, Braeside, Aspendale Gardens, Keysborough, Bangholme, Lyndhurst, Carrum
Downs, Seaford, Frankston, Langwarrin, Skye and Cranbourne South.
The South East Green Wedge is approximately 20 Kilometres long, from its northern to southern
portions. The width of the area is variable, and is generally narrow in its northern and southern
parts.
The northern portion of the South East Green Wedge is located about 20 kilometres from
Melbourne’s CBD, and about 10 kilometres from the demographic centre of Melbourne.
3.2 Land Use Zoning
The South East Green Wedge comprises 9,675 hectares of land and has 35 land use zones. Just
over half of the area (53.2%) is zoned either Green Wedge or Rural Conservation. Figure 3 shows
zoning conditions in the study area.
The following Table 2 provides selected zoning details. This shows that Kingston has a low
proportion (20.1%) of its green wedge land zoned Green Wedge. Frankston has just over half
(55.7%) of its South East Green Wedge area zoned Green Wedge or Rural Conservation. Over half
(65%) of Greater Dandenong’s green wedge land is zoned Green Wedge. The portion of Casey
that is within the South East Green Wedge is primarily zoned Green Wedge (95.2%).

Figure 3: Zoning Conditions
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Table 2: Land Area (Hectares) by Selected Zone Classifications
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Zone
Casey (C) Greater Dandenong (C) Kingston (C) Frankston (C)
South East Green
Wedge
GWZ 0.0 0.0% 2,430.9 65.0% 0.0 0.0% 1,318.2 37.7% 3,749.2 38.8%
GWZ1 0.0 0.0% 0.0 0.0% 29.9 1.4% 0.0 0.0% 29.9 0.3%
GWZ2 180.5 49.0% 0.0 0.0% 338.9 16.4% 0.0 0.0% 519.3 5.4%
GWZ3 0.0 0.0% 0.0 0.0% 36.8 1.8% 0.0 0.0% 36.8 0.4%
GWZ4 0.0 0.0% 0.0 0.0% 10.7 0.5% 0.0 0.0% 10.7 0.1%
GWZ6 169.8 46.1% 0.0 0.0% 0.0 0.0% 0.0 0.0% 169.8 1.8%
Total GW Zones 350.3 95.2% 2,430.9 65.0% 416.3 20.1% 1,318.2 37.7% 4,515.7 46.7%
RCZ1 0.0 0.0% 0.0 0.0% 0.0 0.0% 108.9 3.1% 108.9 1.1%
RCZ2 0.0 0.0% 0.0 0.0% 0.0 0.0% 433.7 12.4% 433.7 4.5%
RCZ4 0.0 0.0% 0.0 0.0% 0.0 0.0% 87.3 2.5% 87.3 0.9%
Total RC Zones 0.0 0.0% 0.0 0.0% 0.0 0.0% 629.9 18.0% 629.9 6.5%
TOTAL GW+ RC ZONES 350.3 95.2% 2,430.9 65.0% 416.3 20.1% 1,948.2 55.7% 5,145.6 53.2%
OTHER ZONES 17.8 4.8% 1,310.4 35.0% 1,654.3 79.9% 1,546.8 44.3% 4,529.4 46.8%
TOTAL AREA (ALL ZONES) 368.1 100.0% 3,741.3 100.0% 2,070.6 100.0% 3,495.0 100.0% 9,675.0 100.0%
Source: Derived from DPCD Data
3.3 Economy
The South East Green Wedge is in part framed by industrial activity, which has an impact on the
area in terms of visual amenity, traffic flows, water runoff, noise and air quality conditions.
The three industry sectors that are likely to be most directly relevant to Green Wedge land are
utilities (ie. Electricity, Gas and Water Supply), mining and agriculture.
Of these sectors, the most significant is utilities, being worth $203.8m and growing at 8.0% p.a.
Mining is worth about $52.9m and is growing at about 2.3% p.a. Agriculture is worth about
$34.6m and is in significant decline, contracting by about -11.3% p.a.
3.4 Land Use Activity and Property Market
Planning and development data and property price data can identify where change is occurring and
where management attention may be most warranted.
Planning permit and planning scheme amendment activity in the South East Green Wedge has
focused mainly in Kingston. Kingston was responsible for about 52% of permits and 50% of
amendments in a sample data period (2004 to part 2008). Over the same data period: Greater
Dandenong was responsible for 21% of permits and 23% of amendments; Frankston was
responsible for 26% of permits and 18% of amendments; and Casey was responsible for 1% of
permits and 9% of amendments.

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Land values vary within the Green Wedge, starting at around $350,000 per hectare in Greater
Dandenong and Frankston and reaching about $759,000 per hectare in Kingston. This indicates
that despite a green wedge zoning, principles of land value ‘distance decay’ from the central city
still apply to such land.
Preliminary property data shows that Green Wedge land in Greater Dandenong and Frankston is
about 67% to 77% below urban prices; and Green Wedge land in Kingston is about 27% to 50%
below urban prices. Urban prices in this context refers to undeveloped land that is located within
the Urban Growth Boundary.
Distance decay means that demand for land is highest in the central city and diminishes with
distance from the city. The sample data provided for this study suggests that despite there being
relatively uniform planning controls across the South East Green Wedge, the underlying demand
for and value of land in Kingston is higher than green wedge land in Greater Dandenong and
Frankston.
This would relate to two forces: firstly, green wedge land that is located closer to the city is more
valuable because it has better accessibility to a range of urban areas and activities and is therefore
more useable for a wider range of land uses; and secondly, property speculation activity would
drive up prices of green wedge land closer to the city due to anticipation that future rezoning is
more likely to succeed in those areas.
3.5 Future Pressures
Projections suggest that the population of the four municipalities subject to this study is expected
to increase from about 601,000 in 2006 to approximately 742,000 in 2031, representing about
141,000 additional people in this sub-region of Melbourne. Using this as a rough guide, land use
pressure can be expected to increase in the order of 23% over this timeframe.
This additional population will increase demand on housing and related population driven activities
and services in the region, including increased demand for shops, commercial businesses,
recreation, open space, schools, places of worship and infrastructure development.
From a retail or commercial perspective, the major pressure is likely to be driven by large format
retailers and garden or trade supply type activities that seek out large sites close to catchment
areas. Another major source of land demand pressure in south east Melbourne is industrial
development.

4 Existing Conditions
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This section presents a summary of conditions in the study area. For further information, including
mapping information, refer to Part 2 Background Report. That report provides numerous maps and
other sources of information not shown in this Part 1 Issues Paper.
This section begins with an overview of the area’s features and SWOTs and then focuses on each
municipality in detail.
4.1 Overview of Features and SWOTS
Important features of the South East Green Wedge, as identified in previous studies, are as
follows:
� Environmental: wetlands, rivers and creeks, landscapes, native vegetation, native fauna.
� Economic: extractive industry (sand and other resources), agriculture (horticulture and
grazing), other non-urban businesses.
� Urban infrastructure: water and sewerage systems, road transport, energy and
telecommunications, landfills, Moorabbin Airport, regional cemetery.
� Land use buffers: for Eastern Treatment Plant, industry, agriculture, quarries, landfills.
� Recreation: parks, golf courses, water sports centre, sports fields.
� Heritage: Aboriginal cultural heritage, post-contact heritage sites and features.
� Rural living: farms, hobby farms and low density and environmental residential
opportunities.
Of international and national significance is the RAMSAR wetlands area and international migratory
bird habitat in and around Carrum Downs, Seaford and Edithvale.
A list of identified high-level strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats are provided in the
following pages. Note that this preliminary SWOT analysis is presented using a green wedge policy
context. It is acknowledged that a different set of SWOTs could be derived using a different
context.

Strengths
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� Peri-urban location - Location is a strength for activities that can operate near urban uses
and derive benefit from proximity to a population base and / or employment base.
� Planning controls – Planning provisions protect the right to carry out Green Wedge activity,
by controlling the use of land and lot sizes. This also has the effect of preserving future
use options for land due to relatively large minimum lot size provisions (in parts).
� Land availability – The land within the South East Green Wedge is generally flat or gently
undulating and is conducive to supporting uses which require large areas of land.
� Availability of resources – The South East Green Wedge area is acknowledged as having
high quality sand and rock resources.
� Visual and landscape offer – The South East Green Wedge offers areas of high landscape
and environmental value close to urban areas.
� Flora and fauna species – The South East Green Wedge has significant clusters of remnant
native vegetation and fauna species.
� Precincts of high environmental value – The Seaford Wetlands are recognised
internationally through the RAMSAR convention whilst other parts of the green wedge are
of State and regional significance.
� Relatively low land prices – This enables low cost business operations to establish in the
metropolitan region.
Weaknesses
� Peri-urban location - Location is a weakness for activities that prefer to operate in locations
that offer separation from sensitive or urban activities.
� Lack of critical mass of Green Wedge area and fragmentation – The South East Green
Wedge is highly fragmented and compartmentalised in some parts due to urban
developments and infrastructure networks (in and around the area) and existing
subdivision patterns.
� Degraded environmental quality – The quality of land, air and waterways in the area is
mixed with some areas having poor quality. Urban and landfill runoff into waterways is an
issue in some areas as is dust and air pollution generated from some landfills and quarries.
� Limited public access and connectivity – Despite being a green wedge, large parts of the
area do not enable public access or use.

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� Large infrastructure and industry buffer areas – The impact areas of large infrastructure
assets and nearby industry restrict the range of activities that can occur in the area.
Opportunities
� Establish activities that benefit from market access – There is potential to use land for
activities that seek close proximity to a population base and / or business base.
� Establish activities that benefit from water access - There is potential to utilise water from
the Eastern Treatment Plant and / or groundwater basins and / or stormwater systems for
various purposes. This is a significant opportunity in the context of a changing and drying
climate.
� Rehabilitation of land and waterways – The opportunity exists to significantly improve the
quality of the environment in parts of the Green Wedge through land, water and related
rehabilitation measures.
� Rehabilitation of habitats and fauna corridors – The opportunity exists to develop habitats
and habitat corridors, especially along waterways and native vegetation corridors.
� Climate change and carbon mitigation - The area could be used as a carbon sink or in some
other capacity to perform a local climate change role.
� Future use options - The area is preserved for future use options by planning control. This
could include best practice environmentally sustainable development forms.
� Chain of parks - Establish public pedestrian, bike and trail access throughout the Green
Wedge linking key recreational and environmental nodes.
Threats
� Poor land management practices – Poor land management practices with respect to pest
and weed control, runoff can threaten viability on surrounding sites.
� Environmental degradation – The quality of land, air and water systems in the area could
deteriorate in the future.
� Urban and infrastructure encroachment – The continuing build up of surrounding urban
uses and internal traffic congestion, infrastructure development and landfill and waste
management activities.
� Effects of human activity – The risks to biodiversity from increased volumes of people using
facilities include litter, pollution and noise.
� Land speculation – This can result in poor land management practices as absentee land
owners and speculators neglect land in anticipation of rezoning.

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� Large format retail and industrial development pressures - Anticipated population and
economic growth is expected to increase pressure to use Green Wedge land for retail and
industrial land uses.
� Lack of management co-ordination and funding – A range of agencies and organisations
are responsible for the management of the South East Green Wedge and various aspects of
it. Arguably, the management structure is not functioning well due to absence of a shared
vision, poor coordination and a lack of funding.
4.2 Kingston
Location:
� Influenced by relative proximity to Melbourne’s CBD, and being about 10 kilometres from
the demographic centre of Melbourne.
� Has relatively narrow green wedge land areas, which are influenced by surrounding urban
areas including Kingston’s industrial nodes.
Land:
� The green wedge area in Kingston covers 2,070.6 hectares.
� Sites are generally highly fragmented in terms of subdivision patterns.
� Kingston has a low proportion (20.1%) of its green wedge land zoned Green Wedge.
Major Sites and Activities:
� Moorabbin Airport (flight paths generate noise impacts on activity in the area).
� Braeside Park (has significant biosites, native vegetation and fauna).
� Karkarook Park and other local parks.
� Golf courses and other sports and recreation facilities.
� Agriculture (especially horticulture / market gardens).
� Mining.
� Landfills and recycling facilities.
� Mixed businesses (including nurseries).
Environmental and Heritage Features:
� Braeside Park (has significant biosites, native vegetation and fauna).
� Karkarook Park
� Scattered heritage sites and vegetation clusters.
� Moorabbin groundwater basin.
� North-south drainage contour.

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Literature Review Themes:
� The green wedge areas in Kingston accommodate diverse land uses including quarries and
landfills amongst agriculture, recreation facilities and infrastructure assets.
� A key strategic direction is to move the UGB in part to accommodate urban development in
parts of the South East Green Wedge. This position of Council is inconsistent with State
Government policy.
� Another key strategic direction is to ultimately utilise more land – including rehabilitated
quarry, landfill and other sites - in an extended open space network. This includes
provision of a network of parkland and recreational facilities, generally described by the
‘chain of parks’ concept plan.
� A significant issue in Kingston is the condition of waterways and drainage systems.
Kingston’s receiving waters are at risk from pollution from various sources including litter,
sewer overflows and leaks and industrial and commercial discharge. Solutions include (but
are not limited to) development of improved stormwater management systems, which
could comprise adoption of water sensitive urban design, development of gross pollutant
traps and wetland construction.
Summary of Strategic Opportunities:
� Development of the open space network, in particular the proposed ‘chain of parks’
concept.
� Protection and improvement of natural and cultural environment assets and potentially
integration of these assets into the open space network.
� Protection of infrastructure and economic assets, including Moorabbin Airport, landfills,
quarries and agriculture.
4.3 Greater Dandenong
Location:
� Located in the middle and broadest section of the South East Green Wedge.
� The area is influenced by proximity to the Dandenong South industrial area, the Eastern
Treatment Plant, drainage systems and infrastructure networks.
� Some activities in and around the area have buffers that limit land use potential in parts of
the area.
Land:
� The green wedge area in Greater Dandenong covers 3,741.3 hectares.
� Sites are generally large, with the 40 hectare minimum lot size provision playing a role in
maintain this situation.
� Some fragmentation of sites has occurred in the north and west of the area.
� Over half (65%) of Greater Dandenong’s green wedge land is zoned Green Wedge.

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Major Sites and Activities:
� Eastern Treatment Plant (and its buffers, basins and wetlands).
� Infrastructure networks (such as road, power, water and sewer systems).
� Drainage contours and wetlands.
� Agriculture (especially grazing).
� Cemetery / memorial park.
� Sports and recreation facilities, including national water sports centre and golf course.
� Mixed businesses (including nurseries, kennels and equestrian facilities).
Environmental and Heritage Features:
� Waterways, including Patterson River, Dandenong Creek, east-west drainage contours and
wetlands.
� Aboriginal heritage site clusters in the northern and southern parts of Greater Dandenong’s
Green Wedge.
� Frankston groundwater basin.
� Relatively expansive flat landscapes.
Literature Review Themes:
� There is pressure within Greater Dandenong to attract new businesses, in particular
industrial development, which puts pressure on land supply release within the South East
Green Wedge. The availability of infrastructure to support further development is a factor
in driving this demand.
� Stormwater pollution (in particular from industrial areas) is adversely affecting waterways
and drainage systems – including Eumemmerring and Dandenong Creeks.
� The City’s waterways and drainage systems are in parts poorly defined and may not be
able to adequately cater for future needs. Development within the Keysborough South and
Dandenong South areas is placing pressure on the drainage network in the Green Wedge.
� The preservation of native flora and fauna is a challenge. The Dwarf Galaxia fish is a
threatened species within the Dandenong Creek and endangered birds are predominantly
found in wetland habitats.
� Future development in Greater Dandenong is to incorporate more environmental and
heritage protection principles.
� Heritage buildings trees and Aboriginal cultural heritage sites are located in and around the
South East Green Wedge. Preservation of heritage assets is a key strategic direction.
� Farmland in Greater Dandenong is not considered to be of strategic significance to the
State and is in parts degraded.
� However, protection of landscape values is considered important but this may not be best
achieved with an agricultural use.
� The South East Green Wedge has important infrastructure assets and buffer roles.

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Summary of Strategic Opportunities:
� Maintenance and enhancement of the drainage function of the region. The area has
significant drainage contours and wetlands.
� Development of an integrated open space network, potentially linking to the Kingston
‘chain of parks’ and local sites of environmental, cultural and historic significance.
� Protection of infrastructure and economic assets and their buffers, within the area and
external to it, including Eastern Treatment Plant, Dandenong Industrial 2 Zone and other
easements and activities.
� Protection and improvement of natural and cultural environment assets.
� Promotion of agriculture and where possible mining / extractive industry.
4.4 Frankston
Location:
� Located in the relatively narrow and segmented southern portion of the Green Wedge
between Frankston and Cranbourne growth area.
� The area has a number of segments including the wetlands associated with the Eastern
Treatment Plant, the native vegetation clusters near The Pines Flora and Fauna Park and
surrounds and broadacre agricultural land along Dandenong-Frankston Road.
Land:
� The South East Green Wedge area in Frankston covers 3,495.0 hectares.
� Sites are generally large, with the 40 hectare minimum lot size provision playing a role in
maintain this situation in some areas, although some pockets have a finer grain of
subdivision.
� Just over half (55.7%) of Frankston’s South East Green Wedge area is zoned Green Wedge
or Rural Conservation.
Major Sites and Activities:
� Eastern Treatment Plant (and its buffers, basins and wetlands).
� The Pines Flora and Fauna Reserve and DPI site.
� Infrastructure networks (such as road, power, water and sewer systems).
� Mining / extractive industry.
� Agriculture (especially grazing).
� Sports and recreation facilities, including golf and other sports.
� Mixed businesses including canine centre.
Environmental and Heritage Features:
� Internationally significant RAMSAR wetlands.
� Vegetation habitats and reserves including The Pines Flora and Fauna Reserve, DPI site,
RAMSAR wetlands and other clusters in the south.
� Aboriginal heritage site clusters are found in some areas, in particular near the Eastern
Treatment Plant.
� Frankston groundwater basin.
� Relatively expansive flat landscapes in some areas.

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Literature Review Themes:
� Frankston has a number of sites of environmental and historic significance.
� This includes significant trees and landscapes (of natural or cultural significance).
Vegetation protection is an important strategy in Frankston. This includes retention of
existing mature rural vegetation, trees and windbreaks and the character of rural
roadsides.
� The Seaford Wetlands has been identified as a nationally significant site.
� Other sites that been classified as of very high ecological significance are Oliphant Wetland,
Belvedere Bushland Reserve, DPI Frankston North, The Pines Flora and Flora Reserve,
Peninsula Country Golf Club, Boggy Creek Langwarrin, Little Boggy Creek Reserve and
Burdetts Langwarrin, Langwarrin Flora and Fauna Reserve, Frankston Reservoir and
Mulberry Hill in Baxter.
� There is constant pressure and speculation regarding the use of green wedge land. Various
concepts are proposals have emerged over time including residential development.
� Frankston has strategic extractive industry sites and operations. These sites should be
protected and ultimately rehabilitated for community recreation.
� Agricultural, horticultural and rural activities that are compatible with local natural
resources should be promoted.
Summary of Strategic Opportunities:
� Maintenance and enhancement of the wetlands and native vegetation clusters in the area.
� Development of an integrated open space network, potentially linking to Greater
Dandenong, Casey and local sites of environmental, cultural and historic significance.
� Protection of infrastructure and economic assets and their buffers, including Eastern
Treatment Plant and other easements and activities.
� Protection and improvement of natural and cultural environment assets.
� Promotion of mining / extractive industry and agricultural activity.
4.5 Casey
Location:
� At the interface of the South East and Westernport Green Wedges and Casey growth area.
� Influenced by major roads that divide the area.
Land:
� The green wedge area in Casey (within the South East Green Wedge) covers 368.1
hectares.
� Sites are fragmented (with low density residential) in the southern part of this area, but
minimum 40 hectare provisions apply in the north.
� The portion of Casey that is within the South East Green Wedge is primarily zoned Green
Wedge (95.2%).

Major Sites and Activities:
� Agriculture (especially grazing).
� Low density residential.
� Mining.
� Flanked by major infrastructure networks to the west.
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Environmental and Heritage Features:
� Native vegetation (the Casey cluster of native vegetation is significant due to the extensive
clearing that has occurred in Casey). The area has threatened flora and fauna species.
Dwarf Galaxia fish is an example.
� Aboriginal heritage sites.
� Frankston groundwater basin.
Literature Review Themes:
� Casey’s portion of South East Green Wedge is considered to be of value as a habitat
corridor that links Cranbourne Botanic Gardens to Westernport Bay. This arc can play a
habitat function and a role in helping to revegetate the municipality, which has been
extensively cleared.
� Dwarf Galaxia are reportedly located in the South East Green Wedge area of Casey.
� Sites that have native flora and fauna assets relevant to the South East Green Wedge
include the Botanic Gardens in Cranbourne and corridors along the Cranbourne and South
Gippsland railway lines. Casey has a policy and strategy to identify, protect, preserve and
enhance sites of environmental, heritage and waterway significance. This includes a plan
to improve vegetation and habitats for native flora and fauna.
� Whilst Casey has strategic agricultural land, the portion of it that is within the South East
Green Wedge is not considered to be of high agricultural value.
� The City of Casey’s Greenhouse Strategy provides a framework for action to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions. In this context, green wedge land and other open space
networks will be focus areas for revegetation for the purposes of carbon capture.
Summary of Strategic Opportunities:
� Protection and enhancement of the native vegetation network (flora and fauna habitats) in
the area, in particular the arc link between Cranbourne Botanic Gardens and Westernport
Bay.
� Protection and enhancement of Aboriginal heritage sites.
� Promotion of mining / extractive industry and agriculture.

5 Issues
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Based on the research undertaken for this project, the following issues are identified as being of
significance for the South East Green Wedge.
5.1 Lack of a Shared Vision amongst Stakeholders
The main stakeholder groups that have an interest in the South East Green Wedge do not, on the
whole, have a shared vision for its future. The main stakeholders are landholders, business
operators (agricultural, mining and other), State Government, Kingston, Greater Dandenong,
Frankston and Casey Councils, residents and environmental groups.
Despite the divergence in view, most stakeholders do have a shared view regarding some aspects
of the South East Green Wedge, these being:
• Protect important environmental features;
• Support the concept of developing an enhanced open space and recreation network in the
area; and
• Protect major infrastructure assets and buffers.
However, beyond that, there is significant diversity in opinion regarding the appropriate future use
of land. Some groups would promote one or a combination of activities such as urban
development (housing and industry), agriculture, mining and landfill activities.
Also, the view of some groups is related to what occurs in the area over time. Consolidation of
green wedge activity or change in activity in any section of the green wedge can have a domino
effect on the opinions of green wedge Councils and other stakeholders.
5.2 Divergence in Opinion is Greatest in Relation to
the Northern Parts of the Area
Generally, the northern or Kingston part of the South East Green Wedge has the greatest diversity
in stakeholder opinion regarding future planning direction, whereas the southern parts have more
of a shared view.
Outside of key environmental, parkland and infrastructure matters, there is little overlap in opinion
regarding the future role of Kingston’s Green Wedge amongst stakeholders. Opinion ranges from
promoting open space, agriculture, mining, landfills and urban development in various forms.
The major deviation from green wedge policy with respect to the Greater Dandenong portion of the
South East Green Wedge relates to the potential to convert land to industrial activity, in parts of
the area.

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There is more of a shared view amongst stakeholders regarding the Frankston and Casey South
East Green Wedge areas. Stakeholder views are generally in line with green wedge principles.
5.3 The Kingston ‘Hot Spot’
Contention regarding Kingston’s Green Wedge relates to a number of factors, as follows:
• Only a relatively small portion of Kingston’s green wedge land is zoned Green Wedge
(about one-fifth);
• Land is generally fragmented by road networks and subdivision patterns;
• Some sites are degraded due to mining and landfill operations and poor land management
practices;
• Some waterways are likewise degraded due to such operations and urban activity; and
• Importantly, the area is located about 20 kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD, and about 10
kilometres from the demographic centre of Melbourne.
There are at least two major opportunities for ‘green wedge’ oriented development in Kingston.
First, consolidation and further development of the open space network, generally described by the
‘Chain or Parks’ plan. The area offers significant opportunity for development of the open space
and recreation network to service adjacent areas and the south-east sub-region of Melbourne with
regional scale facilities. Second, consolidation and further development of agricultural activity.
This relates to the historic role of the area for market gardening based on relatively high quality
soils for crop growing and proximity to urban markets.
The Kingston issue relates to the implicit pressure and speculation generated from its green wedge
being located about 10 kilometres from the demographic centre of Melbourne and the accessibility
this location provides to services, jobs and existing infrastructure. The potential role the area has
in metropolitan development can be rated as high, and arguably higher than many (if not all) of
Melbourne’s designated growth areas.
Leaving aside the potential development of open space networks and recreation facilities in the
area (which is generally a shared view amongst stakeholders) the tension in Kingston is generated
by the potential future use of land for urban development versus an agricultural or related use.
Whilst agriculture is a potential future use for the area, the industry’s capacity is compromised in
this location (see discussion below for more information). This tension will continue to build in the
future as Melbourne’s population grows.
The lack of clear direction and investment in Kingston in any one particular strategic direction is
resulting in a slow failure of the area as green wedge land.

5.4 The Greater Dandenong ‘Hot Spot’
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The emerging issue here is the trade-off between the potential to expand one of the State’s
premier industrial nodes versus maintenance of land for green wedge purposes, in particular
agriculture. It is likely that pressure will build over time to rezone parts of Greater Dandenong’s
green wedge for industrial uses, as Dandenong South industrial estates become exhausted in the
future. The Dandenong South industrial node is one of the State’s most significant industrial
concentrations.
It will be important to maintain ‘large lots’ in areas that could be converted to industry in the future
should a green wedge use, such as agriculture, prove unviable in the future.
5.5 Agricultural Value
There is diversity in opinion regarding the value of South East Green Wedge land for agriculture.
As a general rule, an agricultural location near urban areas is sub-optimal, due to the potential for
land use conflict (which can result in limitations being imposed on agricultural operations), weed
and animal pest control issues and difficulty in accumulating and expanding land holdings,
especially where land speculation and subdivision activity is high. This is generally the case in the
northern part of the South East Green Wedge despite it having relatively high quality soils.
Constrains on farming activity in green wedge areas may be compounded by land use zones that
are more restrictive than generic farming zone provisions; the latter may have fewer facility
investment restrictions.
The counter view is that non-urban land in the area is in part used successfully for agriculture and
this should be maintained and protected. In additional to this, non-urban land in proximity to
population centres is considered to be a strategic resource which can be used for novel forms of
farming such as community and urban farming.
Whilst this is in theory possible for green wedge land generally, sites or land in themselves must be
recognised as one part of the chain of food production. The various other factors that comprise the
‘system’, together with land availability, will determine outcomes and activity.
For conventional farming, areas in Greater Dandenong and Frankston have reasonable prospects
due to having relatively good buffers from sensitive land uses and relatively low subdivision and
speculation activity.

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5.6 Shared View: Protect Environmental and
Heritage Assets and Develop the Open Space
Network
A clear strategy that has broad support is development of the open space network in the South
East Green Wedge. This can take the form of linking existing opens space and environmental
assets with new networks and assets. This could form a truly integrated system that supports
broader public access and use of the South East Green Wedge, which maintains and improves
environmental systems and cultural heritage.
Arguably, a major weakness of the South East Green Wedge is relatively poor public access to
parts of the area and through the area. An enhanced open space network could be used to link
and enhance major environmental features and cultural heritage sites, and deliver new sports and
recreation facilities.
A number of organisations have developed plans to this end including those titled Sandbelt Open
Space project, Living Links project, Linking People and Spaces, Chain of Parks (referring to
Karkarook Park, the future Sandbelt Park and Braeside Park), Metropolitan Trail Network and
others.
The Casey portion of the South East Green Wedge has been identified as a potential wildlife
corridor linking Cranbourne Botanic Gardens to Westernport Bay. Furthermore, various cultural
heritage sites and native vegetation clusters have been identified which could be integrated into a
wider public access network.
A major project is to develop a plan that brings this information together and delivers outcomes on
the ground.
5.7 Environmental Degradation
Whilst the South East Green Wedge has significant environmental assets, aspects of the natural
environment are degraded. Identified issues are:
• Weed and pest impacts on native flora and fauna and agriculture;
• Pollution to watercourses from urban activities, landfills and quarries;
• Fragmentation and isolation of native vegetation and hydrology; and
• Soil erosion and salinity.
A regional issue is the health of Melbourne’s waterways. These are in poor condition in some areas
due to a number of factors. Significant effort is required to improve the state of Melbourne’s rivers
and creeks and wetlands.

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5.8 Shared View: Protect Infrastructure Assets and
Buffers
Another clear strategy that has broad support is protection of regionally significant infrastructure
assets, networks and their buffers (where these apply). Major assets include the Eastern
Treatment Plant (ETP), Moorabbin Airport, major transport networks including Eastlink, reticulated
infrastructure systems and landfills. The Dandenong South Industrial 2 Zone (which is located
outside of the South East Green Wedge) has part of its notional buffer inside the Green Wedge.
The protection of such assets, and applicable buffers, is a key strategic role of the area. Land use
conflicts generated by sensitive uses moving into buffer areas must be avoided.
5.9 Other Industries and Buffers
Other industries and buffers apply to the South East Green Wedge, such as sand extraction
quarries, broiler farms, abattoirs and related uses. Such uses have impacts on surrounding areas
in terms of noise, dust and odour impacts and hence require buffers around them to protect both
the operations and the amenity of surrounding land.
Stakeholders offer a diversity of opinion on the value of such activity to the South East Green
Wedge, from general support to opposition.
Land use conflicts are perhaps most acute with quarries and landfills that generate dust, noise and
odour pollution impacts on surrounding areas.
5.10 Policy Framework
The development of policy for the South East Green Wedge over time recognises the area’s
important elements, such as environmental, agricultural, extractive industry, infrastructure,
recreation and landscape attributes and activities.
An important part of understanding the area’s current function and future role is to consider these
elements in a scale of relative importance using a State-wide and metropolitan area perspective.
The current statutory framework for green wedge land supports what can be described as an open
air natural environment or primary industry use. In general, private built environment
improvements to land are significantly restricted. This includes a variety of structures for private
use. On this basis, business development opportunities are generally limited to primary industries.

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However, the statutory provisions enable built environment improvements to land if the
improvements are for broad public benefit, such as infrastructure for roads, energy networks,
water and sewerage systems and landfills. Public infrastructure improvements to land are
pronounced in the South East Green Wedge, and arguably the area’s main function at the current
time.
5.11 What to Make of the Issues?
The issues identified above are presented to assist in the development of a Green Wedge
Management Plan. Proper scoping and prioritisation of the issues should be undertaken by the
Councils that are responsible for preparing a Green Wedge Management Plan (with input from
stakeholders).

6 Possible Management Solutions
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Management solutions that should be considered for the South East Green Wedge and its
Management Plan are as follows.
6.1 Management and Implementation Group
It is recommended that a high level management and implementation group be established to
prepare a plan for the area.
The management and implementation group should include all parties that have a significant
impact on the management, development and use of the area. This should include the existing
Councils and State Government together with water management authorities, open space and
environmental agencies, infrastructure providers and others as required.
6.2 Green Wedge Management and Implementation
Plan
The information contained within this report (Parts 1 and 2) should be used as a basis for preparing
a Green Wedge Management and implementation Plan for the South East Green Wedge.
The process is outlined in the General Practice Note: Preparing a Green Wedge Management Plan.
The Practice Note states that a Green Wedge Management Plan should:
� Develop a vision, role and purpose for the green wedge.
� Identify the values and features within the green wedge that are to be protected and
enhanced.
� Establish a strategic direction for land use and development within the green wedge that is
consistent with Melbourne 2030 and other relevant Government policies and strategies,
that will protect and enhance the values and features identified within the green wedge.
� Articulate the strategic direction for the green wedge through the relevant planning
schemes.
� Establish a framework to encourage sustainable land management practices and
appropriate resource management.
� Identify the needs of green wedge landowners and the wider community.
� Establish a clear monitoring and review process to ensure the Plan remains relevant and its
performance can be measured.

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To advance the information presented in this report (Parts 1 and 2), it is recommended that the
following steps be included in this planning process:
� Undertake further research and analysis as is necessary;
� Engage all community and stakeholder groups;
� Prioritise issues and identify strategic options for the area;
� Evaluate options;
� Develop a management plan; and
� Develop an implementation plan.
Having a sound plan is not much use unless it can be implemented. As such, it will be important
for the South East Green Wedge Management Plan to be followed by an Implementation Plan that
covers:
� Strategic and statutory planning;
� Priority projects for investment; and
� Funding and timing plan for delivery.
Special effort should go into developing a plan to deliver projects critical to the future operation of
the South East Green Wedge.

6.3 Possible Strategic Directions
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Following is a summary of the possible directions a Green Wedge Management Plan could take for
the South East Green Wedge.
General Opportunities:
� Establish activities that benefit from market access – There is potential to use land for
activities that seek close proximity to a population base and / or business base.
� Establish activities that benefit from water access - There is potential to utilise water from
the Eastern Treatment Plant and / or groundwater basins and / or stormwater systems for
various purposes. This is a significant opportunity in the context of a changing and drying
climate.
� Rehabilitation of land and waterways – The opportunity exists to significantly improve the
quality of the environment in parts of the Green Wedge through land, water and related
rehabilitation measures.
� Rehabilitation of habitats and fauna corridors – The opportunity exists to develop habitats
and habitat corridors, especially along waterways and native vegetation corridors.
� Climate change and carbon mitigation - The area could be used as a carbon sink or in some
other capacity to perform a local climate change role.
� Future use options - The area is preserved for future use options by planning control. This
could include best practice environmentally sustainable development forms.
� Chain of parks - Establish public pedestrian, bike and trail access throughout the Green
Wedge linking key recreational and environmental nodes.
Kingston:
� Development of the open space network, in particular the proposed ‘chain of parks’
concept.
� Protection and improvement of natural and cultural environment assets and potentially
integration of these assets into the open space network.
� Protection of infrastructure and economic assets, including Moorabbin Airport, landfills,
quarries and agriculture.
Greater Dandenong:
� Maintenance and enhancement of the drainage function of the region. The area has
significant drainage contours and wetlands.
� Development of an integrated open space network, potentially linking to the Kingston
‘chain of parks’ and local sites of environmental, cultural and historic significance.
� Protection of infrastructure and economic assets and their buffers, within the area and
external to it, including Eastern Treatment Plant, Dandenong Industrial 2 Zone and other
easements and activities.
� Protection and improvement of natural and cultural environment assets.
� Promotion of agriculture and where possible mining / extractive industry.

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Frankston:
� Maintenance and enhancement of the wetlands and native vegetation clusters in the area.
� Development of an integrated open space network, potentially linking to Greater
Dandenong, Casey and local sites of environmental, cultural and historic significance.
� Protection of infrastructure and economic assets and their buffers, including Eastern
Treatment Plant and other easements and activities.
� Protection and improvement of natural and cultural environment assets.
� Promotion of mining / extractive industry and agricultural activity.
Casey:
� Protection and enhancement of the native vegetation network (flora and fauna habitats) in
the area, in particular the arc link between Cranbourne Botanic Gardens and Westernport
Bay.
� Protection and enhancement of Aboriginal heritage sites.
� Promotion of mining / extractive industry and agriculture.
It is acknowledged that the directions stated above may be in conflict. Prioritisation will need to be
made in the planning process.