"Unacceptable": Council bypassed as consultation on 1,100-dwelling development set to close within days

The owner of an 18.8-hectare site of a former sand quarry and tip in Oakleigh South has been trying to get a large residential development up for years, despite concerns over environmental contamination and unstable ground conditions.

Sterling Global Pty Ltd has proposed to create a master-planned residential community - named Talbot Village - on the site at 1221-1249 Centre Road, Oakleigh South.

The proposed development would deliver between 860 and 1,100 dwellings.

The background

Rezoning decisions are commonly made by local councils. The site’s owner first made a request to rezone the site to residential use with Monash Council in 2016. While the council approved it, the State Government’s Planning Panel overruled and rejected it.

The matter sat idle for five years, before the owner made a request to the Minister for Planning in 2021 to “fast-track” the proposal. This was denied as it didn’t fit the criteria.

The owner made a second rezoning application to council in early 2022. It is unclear if the application was withdrawn or rejected - council papers state simply that it “did not proceed”.

The Planning and Environment Act allows proponents to request the Minister for Planning to rezone land, and in September 2023 the owner did just that, again seeking the state’s involvement in getting the project greenlit.

The long road from concept to reality

A development of this nature must jump through various hoops before becoming a reality, including correct zoning, an overarching development plan and, ultimately, development application approval for specific buildings.

This application ties together the request for rezoning with a Development Plan for the dwellings.

During its meeting on Tuesday May 27, Monash Council passed a motion to make a submission opposing the proposal due to a number of factors, including that it fails to provide certainty on the management of contamination and geo-technical issues.

Ultimately, however, the view of the council will be just one of many that are considered by the state.

The land

According to the State Government, the site consists of a range of unnatural and irregular landforms and topography, unstable ground conditions and contamination, including landfill gas.

In September 2024, the state was satisfied with the level of investigation of environmental and geotechnical risks undertaken to that point.

Why is Monash Council opposed to the proposal?

Speaking during the council meeting, Monash councillor Josh Fergeus said environmental, amenity and health and safety concerns had not been addressed.

“Not enough attention has been given to genuinely engaging with the community and dealing with concerns,” he said. “I think council should have nothing to do with any future development on this site.”

Speaking to the chamber, councillor Brian Little said it was “totally abnormal” to have both a planning scheme amendment and a development application be put forward at the same time.

Referring to the Department of Planning, he said: “They’ve come back to us for comment on what is basically a go-ahead. Normally, you get the site fixed before you go to developing it.”

Little said it was “unacceptable” that council would be responsible for carrying out ongoing monitoring of the environmental, soil contamination and gas emission mitigation measures.

“This site has to be monitored for a very long time, we’re talking decades,” he said.

What is the response from the Department of Planning?

"Any proposal would be considered on its merits and no decision has been made,” a State Government spokesperson said.

To view the proposal documents or have your say, visit the Engage Victoria website.