Plan rejected
A planning proposal to re-subdivide over 120ha of private land in Lang Lang into two lots has been refused by Cardinia Shire Council.
At a town planning meeting on Monday 7 August, councillors detailed the proposal for a re-subdivision and house lot excision at 4915 South Gippsland Highway.
Located in a Green Wedge Zone, the land is currently subdivided into two lots, measuring about 40ha and 80ha, with one property located on each lot. The new application sought to re-divide the current land, with lot 1 comprising 121.8ha, while lot 2 would be 1891sqm.
But councillors said the division was “fragmented” and a “poor layout” which could increase rural residential living in a green wedge zone.
STORY PAGE 5
Parking push
The council has revealed new details in their initial plans to revamp Main Street as part of the first stage of works in a 10-year plan to transform the wider Pakenham CBD.
In the latest consultation meeting with Main Street’s traders on Wednesday 9 August, Councillor Carol Ryan handed down fresh documents from the Cardinia Shire Council providing desired details of the upcoming works.
Revitalising Main Street will be split into two sequences, starting January 2024 with works at the John Street end, then September 2024 with works at the Station Street end. The works confirm council’s commitment so far to parallel parking along all of Main Street, as well as new pedestrian crossings and wider accessible sidewalks, and catering for more public amenities.
STORY PAGE 7
50 years on
Four Pakenham RSL members will travel to Canberra this week to participate in the National Commemorative Service marking 50 years since the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War.
Frank Grant, Gary Elliott, Henry van Diemen and William Beattie will attend the Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial on Friday to recognise their service in the conflict.
STORY PAGE 14
Roadworks to ruin
By Eleanor Wilson
A local cafe in Officer fears it is at risk of going under, after council roadworks blocked the main vehicle thoroughfare used by customers to access the food spot.
Soulfoods Cafe owners Shane Baker and Judith Philips said their customer base was slashed by 40 per cent when the council
blocked access to Tivendale Road in June as part of upgrades on the Princes Highway.
Entrance to the business hub, which includes hair salons, a dental office and the office of Pakenham MP Emma Vulin, is currently only accessible via the adjoined petrol station on the other side of the centre.
It’s a detour Judith and Shane say many of
their customers are not willing to take.
“For the first two weeks of the roadworks we had our regulars ring up to ask if we were closed because they couldn’t get to us,” Shane said.
He estimates the business is losing between $500 and $700 every day as a result of the road closure.
Both Judith and Shane have been forced to
take up full time work elsewhere to continue to keep the business alive, while also working at the cafe on weekends.
“We weathered Covid, we’ve weathered the interest rate rises and now we’ve got no funds to fall back on, so this is like the nail in the coffin,” Judith said.
STORY PAGE 3
$2.50 Inc. GST PakenhamGazette /PakenhamBerwickGazette pakenham.starcommunity.com.au PAGE 10 Dance the night away Spud’s new challenge PAGE 27 Wednesday, 16 August, 2023 OPEN FOR BUSINESS ! Now in office consultations Online Consults still available FIXED PRICE CONVEYANCING • CONTESTING A WILL WILLS AND POWERS OF ATTORNEY PROBATE AND LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION Pakenham, Narre Warren and Yarra Junction Offices | P 5941 5166 12588394-AI05-23 30 O’Sullivan St. (Off Bald Hill Rd.) Pakenham | 0420 756 001 | www.carlislefurnitureandbedding.com.au Lounge • Dining • Bedroom • Living Outdoor • Home Office • Rugs Supporting All brand new furniture Up to 5 to 10 years warranty on some items 12622278-AP31-23
From left: William Beattie, Gary Elliott, Frank Grant and Henry van Diemen will have their service in the Vietnam War recognised in a national commemoration in Canberra this week. 353326 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
