AN application to expand an existing quarry in Langwarrin has been refused by the Minister for Planning.
On 7 October, Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny refused a Development Facilitation Program planning application for a quarry expansion onto a site on Valley Rd, Langwarrin.
Local community groups and residents have been advocating against the expansion, which was proposed on green wedge land, for years.
The proposed quarry would have impacted a recognised wildlife corridor that links The Pines Flora and Fauna Reserve with Cranbourne Botanical Gardens.
Elizabeth Cester, who lives in the area, said they first received notice about the proposed expansion back in 2023.
“The existing quarry had exhausted its resources, but if they could expand into adjoining rural conservation zone land, they could continue operating with those processing facilities,” said Cester.
Cester said residents submitted objections to the local council, where the application was refused.
The company at the time escalated it to VCAT but then withdrew the application.
“That was a long process, and for residents, it’s quite daunting, trying to read technical documents and understand things that you usually aren’t expected to, but they can have a significant impact on your life and your community,” said Cester.
Earlier this year, residents received a formal notice in the mail advising them of another proposal for expansion.
Cester said it was sent over the school holiday period, and many local residents and businesses didn’t receive the notice until the 20th of April.
“If you read the notice, it reads as if you have to submit your objection before 21 April, but in actual fact, I called the planning team, and they said that they would continue taking submissions until the final decision was made,” said Cester.
Cester said if the project went ahead, it would impact wildlife and the environment for decades.
“It would never be rehabilitated to the state it’s in in my lifetime and possibly not even in my daughter’s lifetime,” said Cester.
“This project is not just a local issue for the people living in the area – the families, children and parents that attend the local school or childcare, or residents of the Langwarrin Aged Care; it’s a significant environmental site.”
Cester said she began researching the potential risks of the proposed expansion.
“I felt this sense of responsibility to do as much as I could and let as many people know as possible,” said Cester.
“So, that’s when I started reaching out to other groups to try and create some community awareness in whatever time we had, which was unknown.”
Cester reached out to multiple local community groups, including Mornington Peninsula Koala Conservation and Western Port Green Wedge Protection Group.
“I did what I could, and our local community shared as much information as they could, to help raise community awareness,” said Cester.
“I love my community. I love the wildlife, and that’s it. Knowing the risks, I just couldn’t have a clear conscience without doing as much as possible.”
David Cole, one of the leaders of Western Port Green Wedge Protection Group (WPGWPG), said the group had helped fight proposals for inappropriate developments in green wedge areas over recent years to protect their agricultural, landscape and biodiversity values.
“One of our aims is to help raise community awareness of the proposal, as many residents would not hear via the very limited legislative notification requirements,” said Cole.
“We also encourage community members to make objections if they feel strongly about the proposal and provide guidance to help them prepare and submit their own objections.”
Cester said she feels incredibly relieved the proposal has been refused.
“I feel relieved for our community. I feel relieved for the wildlife. I feel so grateful for everyone who shared information, who wrote objections, and put time and energy into it,” said Cester.
“It’s wonderful that our community can help each other out and I think about the future generations, and I’m relieved for them.”
Cole said WPGWPG are very pleased with the decision, which recognises the importance of preserving this important rural conservation zone/green wedge area.
“However, in the Notice of Refusal for this DFP application, it says the applicant has 60 days to appeal to VCAT,” said Cole.
“It had been thought that all appeal rights had been removed under DFP, but it now appears that the government may have removed appeal rights for community members/groups, whilst retaining them for applicants. We are now seeking clarification from the Department of Transport and Planning.”
First published in the Frankston Times – 20 October 2026