Council Approves Housing for Cranbourne Golf Course with “Strengthened” Community Benefits

POSTED ON February 20, 2026 @ 11:06 am

In a move to balance Victoria’s urgent housing demand with local environmental priorities, City of Casey Councillors have unanimously approved a major residential development at the Cranbourne Golf Course.

The decision, made during a Council Meeting on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, grants a planning permit for application PA24 0697, which proposes a multi-lot subdivision of up to 499 new homes and a display home centre at the 750 Glasscocks Road site.

Higher Standards for a “Greener” Neighborhood

While Council officers initially recommended approval based on the land’s 25-year history as a residential zone, Councillors successfully advocated for a “Notice of Decision to Grant a Permit” that includes conditions exceeding standard requirements.

Key enhancements secured by the Council include:

Expanded Open Space: The development will deliver 12.4% public open space—significantly higher than the 8% minimum—featuring new parks, shared paths, and dog-friendly areas.
Aggressive Canopy Targets: Under the Greening Casey initiative, the developer has committed to 30% tree canopy cover along streets and 20% across the entire site.
Infrastructure Funding: A voluntary financial contribution has been pledged by the developer toward local social infrastructure, ensuring the project supports the broader community.

“Councillors advocated for conditions that go beyond the minimum requirements of the Casey Planning Scheme,” said City of Casey Mayor Cr Stefan Koomen. “Council has struck a balance between delivering much-needed housing and securing outcomes that reflect local priorities.”

Navigating the Landfill Buffer

A central challenge of the proposal was the site’s proximity to the Hallam Road landfill. Under standard EPA guidelines, a 1,500-metre separation is recommended between landfills and residential areas. However, these guidelines allow for a reduction to 1,000 metres if a rigorous risk assessment is performed.

The applicant provided a Qualitative Risk Assessment, which was independently peer-reviewed by Council environmental specialists. The assessment concluded that the development could proceed safely within the reduced buffer, a finding that ultimately satisfied the Council’s safety requirements.

Community Impact and Next Steps

The decision follows significant public interest, with approximately 51 objections raised regarding traffic congestion and the loss of green space. Despite these concerns, Mayor Koomen emphasized that the land has been earmarked for housing for over two decades.

“We know this proposal has attracted strong community interest, and we thank residents who took the time to participate,” Cr Koomen added.

What happens next?

28-Day Appeal Period: Both the applicant and objectors have 28 days to seek a review via the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
Final Plans: If no appeals are lodged, the developer must submit detailed compliance plans to the Council before construction begins.

For full Council Minutes