Wonderful promise from Andrew Robb! This is everything we have been asking for from the Commonwealth. Federal Coalition Commits to Preserving Highett’s ‘Grassy Woodlands’ and Extra Open Space An elected federal Coalition Government will preserve four hectares of the 9.3 hectare CSIRO site in Highett for conservation and parkland, the Federal Member for Goldstein announced today [19 August 2013]. This will guarantee the preservation of the area known as the “grassy woodlands” together with an additional hectare, all of which will be permanently dedicated to public open space and recreation, where kids can “kick the footy”. Under this commitment the overall site will be subdivided and appropriately rezoned with the remaining 5.3 hectares sold for appropriate residential/ mixed use development. A Coalition government will enter into a ‘deed of agreement’ with the Bayside City Council granting it custodianship of the four hectares in perpetuity. Mr Robb said this decision would provide certainty over the future of the site and secure rare open space in a built-up suburb characterised by narrow streets and a distinct lack of public open space. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to preserve four precious hectares in the heart of Highett and in my view it would be grossly irresponsible of the federal government not to take this opportunity,” Mr Robb said. Prior to the granting of custodianship to Bayside Council the Commonwealth would be responsible for necessary remedial works to the satisfaction of the council and the EPA. The Commonwealth, including the CSIRO have been in negotiations about the sale and development of the site for more than two years. The CSIRO is involved in the phased relocation from Highett to a site in Clayton. Mr Robb said all stakeholders, including the community, council, state government and CSIRO all acknowledged the conservation value of the “grassy woodlands” and the need to preserve open space. “What has been lacking is a firm decision to provide certainty about what the future of the site holds, including clarity over a dedicated development footprint. The election of a Coalition government will provide that certainty,” Mr Robb said.
Posted on: Tue, 20 Aug 2013 06:20:42 +0000
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