THE state government accepted a request from the Rossdale Golf Course’s owners to refer the proposed redevelopment of the site to a planning committee for assessment.
The planning minister’s decision to refer the redevelopment proposal for the Aspendale golf course to the Priority Projects Standing Advisory Committee blindsided Kingston Council, who were expected to have final say on the plan. Last week Kingston mayor Georgina Oxley said “council had previously been assured by the minister that we would be the decision-maker. We followed every direction provided – including commissioning critical environmental assessments – and were in ongoing discussions with the Victorian Government.” (“Council cut out of golf course planning” The News 5/8/2025)
The News sent questions to planning minister Sonya Kilkenny about the matter on Wednesday, 30 July. Five days later, a response “attributable to a Department of Transport and Planning spokesperson” was provided – it read that the referral was made at the request of the golf course owners.
“Following a request from the proponent, the matter has been referred to an independent planning committee for advice,” the response read. “We will continue to work with the City of Kingston Council and they have the opportunity to participate in the Priority Projects Standing Advisory Committee process.” The Priority Projects Standing Advisory Committee will assess the proposal against the relevant guidelines and provide advice to the planning minister before a final decision is made.
The golf club plans to replace large sections of the existing golf course with housing of up to three storeys. The plans have sparked some backlash – Kingston Residents Association vice-president Rosemary West said “rezoning this flood-prone site for housing raises serious questions about long-term sustainability, especially in an era of climate uncertainty.
“The Minister previously assured KRA that council would remain the responsible authority in this matter. Yet without warning, the process was escalated to a state panel – a panel that is yet to reject a single application as far as we know. “We’re asking: why the rush and why the silence on community voices?”
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 13 August 2025