Friday, June 24, 2011

Govt flags more development in green wedges



The State Government looks set to allow more development in Melbourne's green wedge zones.

Green wedges parcels of land outside the urban growth area which are set aside to help conserve rural activities and natural landscape features.

Sixteen councils are responsible for managing the green wedge areas.

Planning Minister Matthew Guy says the regulations for the areas are too restrictive.

He says the Government is keen to make changes to allow schools, churches and aged care accommodation to be built there.

Mr Guy says he is not considering any large scale development.

"It might be a church camp, it might be a church hall, it might be something along those lines which is very small."

"We are not talking about anything which is enormous we are just talking about a review of the zone which may, in some cases, make that zone more efficient and allow councils to use it more effectively."

The Opposition's planning spokesman, Brian Tee, says any move to reduce the green wedge zones would be a tragedy.

"There has been no consultation at all," he said.

"It's been drawn up in secret in the Premiers office and the result could be turning our 40 year-old green wedges into hotels and tourist resorts."

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