Slow road to planting

By Melissa Meehan
PLANTING on land south of the golf course has started, and the Cardinia Ratepayers and Residents Association (CRRA) can’t wait for things to finally take shape.
But money needs to be spent to get the ball rolling.
This week CRRA President Gloria O’Connor spoke to the Gazette, looking back on the history of the site.
“For 34 years the land has just sat there and then in 2005 the Planning Minister at the time Justin Madden opposed the council’s plan to develop the land,” Ms O’Connor said.
“But nothing much has been done since 2005 because there have been no funds available.”
In 2005 the group as well as other community members celebrated as news filtered through of Mr Madden’s decision.
“We fought long and hard that we didn’t want to lose an important piece of land like this, but it really still needs some work.”
Ms O’Connor said the council really needed to put some pressure on both Melbourne Water and the State Government to organise plans for the site, as well as put some money into preparations.
The most recent works on the site was a planting day in October, but Ms O’Connor said reigniting the issue in the eyes of the community might secure some funding in the near future.