Unless state legislation is changed, the green wedge protecting farmlands at Werribee South isn’t going anywhere … that’s the message Wyndham’s mayor wants out, loud and clear.
Speaking to Star Weekly last week, Cr Henry Barlow said the council supports the planning zone protection as it stands.
In the meantime, it has asked planning minister Richard Wynne to appoint an independent panel to review submissions lodged with it earlier this year.
Thirty-eight of the 44 submissions called for the green wedge zoning to be lifted.
Cr Barlow said the council will consider the panel’s recommendations.
“There has been no discussion on changing the green wedge … I haven’t spoken to any councillor, except Cr Khan, who believes we should go in a different direction to the current policy,” Cr Barlow said.
In an interview with Star Weekly earlier this month, Cr Khan called for the entire area to be rezoned for mixed use, suggesting a tourism precinct could be the way ahead for Werribee South.
“I have no problem with councillors expressing their personal view, as long as they make it quite clear that any opposition to a council decision is based on their own personal opinion, and that they accept the decision of council … and support the recommendation or the conclusion,” Cr Barlow said.
But Cr Khan has repeated his call for the green wedge to be lifted.
“It is my opinion that those people who wish to rezone should have the opportunity,” he said.
“I would like to see a city by the sea … I am entitled to express my view.
“It is my democratic right,” Cr Khan said.
