In September 2011, the Planning Minister, Matthew Guy, announced he had decided not to rezone 23 hectares of pristine Ventnor farming land for residential development.

That decision is once again in the spotlight, due to Supreme Court action against the State Government by the owner of the land.

Bass Coast Mayor, Cr Dowman said this legal action did not affect the zoning of the land and did not involve Bass Coast Shire Council.

“I am not privy to any alleged conversations or agreements between the Minister for Planning and Ms Nicholls, as reported in The Age today,” said Cr Dowman.

“However, I do know that last September, Council lobbied strongly to get the Minister to reverse his decision.  We met with the Minister and his advisors.  I had several frank telephone conversations with Minister Guy and members of his staff as well.  I believe that our community and Council presented a strong, persistent, evidence based case which persuaded the Minister to reconsider his decision.

“Council fully supports Minister Guy’s decision not to rezone this land, as it is in line with our own Planning Scheme and Structure Plan.  His original decision to rezone was not supported by Council or the community.  We were thrilled when that decision was reversed.  That land is in a farming zone and I want to assure our community that this has not changed.”

Background to Ventnor
The Cowes Ventnor Silverleaves Structure Plan, which sets the Ventnor town boundary, was adopted in 2008 and involved almost ten years of work with the community. 

Ventnor is a little hamlet, with a very low level of infrastructure and services.  The area in question is also of environmental significance, so it was not considered appropriate for further development.

As part of the campaign to have the rezoning decision reversed, Bass Coast Shire Council actions included:

• Meeting with the Minister for Planning on 15 September 2011
• Writing to the Minister on 19 September, acknowledging the meeting and formally requesting that he not rezone the land
• Passing a motion at the Council Meeting on 22 September, calling on the Minister to revoke the decision.  A letter was sent that day, informing him of the motion
• Numerous conversations between the Mayor and Chief Executive Officer with members of the Minister’s staff and the Minister himself, lobbying to have the decision reversed
• A strong media campaign, in partnership with the local community, to draw attention to the issue

The Minister announced he was reversing the decision to rezone the land on 23 September 2011.