THE City of Greater Bendigo hopes the state’s planning minister can approve the public acquisition of the Carter family’s land in Marong as soon as possible so they can “keep moving on the process”.
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Council voted to approve the public acquisition overlay on the land, which just needs to be approved by planning minister Richard Wynne before negotiations can begin with the Carters.
If he signs off on the overlay, the acquisition will go ahead and there are no avenues for appeal.
City of Greater Bendigo director strategy and growth Bernie O’Sullivan said the council would enter negotiations with the family “fairly and genuinely”.
“It’s the minister’s call whether a public acquisition overlay is applied to the land,” he said.
“If it is then council would commence the process under the land acquisition and compensation act, and the negotiation process would follow from that.
“If negotiations break down as part of that process, there’s obviously avenues through the courts for that, that’s to achieve a mediated outcome as distinct to changing the outcome.”
Mr Wynne has previously described the Marong Business Park as a “top priority for Bendigo” and approved the rezoning of the more than 300 hectares in August last year.
The land was rezoned to a comprehensive development zone, paving the way for council to vote on a public acquisition overlay. The vote occurred on Wednesday night and got up 6-2, with Andrea Metcalf and Julie Hoskin voting against it.
Watch the meeting here:
Councillor Jennifer Alden said council had already entered discussions with businesses interested in moving to the land.
“There’s not only local businesses, but businesses from neighbouring council areas to the north and south of us that are looking for opportunities to establish or expand,” she said.
“If we start talking about something that has technologies into the future, the rapidly expanding areas such as renewable energy technologies for example, the sky’s the limit.
“The emerging industries are where there’s huge growth, and we know that’s happening.”
Council stated that the Marong Business Park could accommodate at least 3500 jobs, based on an earlier report.
But a report from an independent panel in 2016 questioned the public acquisition, stating council had not adequately considered all available land options near Bendigo.
It found there were other parcels of land that “rated reasonably” when compared with the Carter land, and it was improper to publicly acquire the land and then transfer it to a private third party.
When questioned about the independent report, Cr Alden said “information changes over time” and the council had seen new business opportunities for the land since then.
“Population projections change, there’s new and expanded industries, there’s new opportunities that arise not only in the City of Greater Bendigo, but in our neighbouring councils too,” she said.
“There’s more smart technologies and new ways of doing things that will attract new investment.”
Planning minister: Proposed acquisitions are ‘carefully considered’
Planning minister Richard Wynne authorised the rezoning of the Carter land last year, and a spokesperson said the minister remained supportive of the Marong Business Park.
“The City of Greater Bendigo has identified the Marong Business Park as a top priority for the city because it will create jobs and boost the local economy,” the spokesperson said.
“The proposal is intended to make Marong a flagship destination for the big manufacturing, logistics, research and development and services companies, creating more jobs for more locals.
“Planning for the park is a matter for the City of Greater Bendigo, but all proposed acquisitions are carefully considered and put through a stringent process.
“Any proposals put to the Minister for Planning will be considered on their merits.”
Watch:
Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards said she had received some contact from concerned residents about the council’s decision to acquire the Carter land.
She said the decision was a matter for council, but she understood the concern of residents.
“This has the support of a number of sectors in Bendigo,” Ms Edwards said.
“The council has looked at a number of sites and determined that this is appropriate.
“I am mainly interested in ensuring infrastructure in that part of Bendigo and planning for road upgrades from Ironbark to Maiden Gully to carry additional cars and trucks.”