Nar Nar Goon Progress Association

December 2015

Plan Refresh submission Nar Nar Goon Progress Association

Nar Nar Goon is a town 7 km east of Pakenham and 61 km southeast of Melbourne. Its local government area is the Shire of Cardinia. Nar Nar Goon has a population of 1,050. It is known as "The Mural Town" due to the numerous murals that have been painted upon a number of its old and historical buildings

Nar Nar Goon is within 7 km of the South East Business Park located at Pakenham. The business park is 400 acres and will develop in the coming years. At full development, Cardinia Road Employment Precinct is expected to generate 18,500 jobs and will provide a major catalyst for attracting investment in the employment corridor

Nar Nar Goon is located on the , in off peak it takes 50 minutes to travel to Melbourne CBD. Nar Nar Goon is also located on the railway line with VLine having an hourly service to Melbourne and travel time approximately one hour.

Nar Nar Goon Progress Association acknowledges the need to develop a strategy of growth for the Nar Nar Goon Township. Nar Nar Goon is classified as a large rural town within the Cardinia Shire planning scheme. The Cardinia Shire Council has indicated by their growth options (see attached Cardinia Shire document) they support Nar Nar Goon development.

The members of the Nar Nar Goon Progress Association are also strong supporters of the Green Wedge. The Progress Association was represented at a Cardinia Council briefing of the Green Wedge at Koo Wee Rup to hear the latest developments. With a very small number of community members attending we had a constructive discussion with the council officers in attendance. It is clear the Green Wedge does need protecting and in principle, Nar Nar Goon Progress Association supports the protection of the Green Wedge.

Nar Nar Goon was originally settled about 1880. It was built on the and serviced the logging industry as well as the agricultural businesses including potatoes, dairy and vegetables. Further development continued in the 1970’s with Nar Nar Goon able to sustain two general stores, bakery, hardware, butcher, milk bar, fish and chip shop as well as a football, cricket, tennis and netball clubs, Scouts and 3 churches as well as an active fire brigade. Since then many of the stores have closed and lay idol with little development occurring. The younger members of the town have been unable to purchase property within the town due to large blocks which commands high prices and therefore they have moved on. We now have predominately older residents living within the town.

Using the profile.com website, between 2006 and 2011 there were 67 less people living in the Nar Nar Goon Tynong area. Of the 67 there were 42 less children from 2006 to 2011 aged between 0 and 19.

The major agriculture business of the 1970’s was dairy farming. The majority of these families have ceased operating their agricultural businesses, many properties now lay vacant.

We believe growth for Nar Nar Goon fits the criteria laid out in PlanMelbourne. When talking about nomination of towns for growth it states :-

“This initiative should be reworked to state that the views of local government and communities will be sought in nominating any towns as having growth potential.

Nar Nar Goon Progress Association It also identifies the opportunity for towns in these locations to provide affordable options for living and working locally – especially along the regional transport corridors.

It outlines their important environmental and agricultural values and their role as tourism destinations close to Melbourne.”

We strongly agree agricultural land must “not simply” …be seen “…as vacant land awaiting urban development or dormitory suburbs”. Stronger controls must be put on agricultural land and additional plans and guidance be given to land owners to use their land in food and fibre production. The Bunyip food bowl initiative needs to be strengthened. It is essential to identify land for future growth and land to be used for agricultural purposes. For towns such as Nar Nar Goon it is essential to have a town boundary. All future growth must be completed within the town boundary.

Background

Pakenham Racecourse is 2.8 km from the town centre. It was rezoned by the then Labor Government from Green Wedge to Special Use Zone in 2010. It will be a major employer in coming years. It currently conducts 50 race meetings a year, has a convention centre for 600 people, over 100 houses will be built on site for trainers and the development of businesses connected with the racing industry will be constructed. It is anticipated 1000 thoroughbreds will be housed at the track. Further development such as a motel, gaming venue, a residential area and retail complex will be completed in the coming years.

Quote from Pakenham racing club website “The site was rezoned by the Victorian Government in May 2010 to a Special Use Zone (SUZ) and was designated by the government as a project of state significance in respect to its rezoning. This SUZ status is unique and underpins the future growth potential and expansion for the precinct over the decades ahead. It is not just a racing and training centre, but a fully integrated employment, residential, commercial and retail precinct. At 608 acres the new Pakenham Racecourse will be the largest racecourse in Australia. The new Pakenham Racecourse precinct will provide significant economic development in the Cardinia Shire and will be a major driver of the shires job creation strategy.” Nine Mile Fresh is another major employer. It opened in 2013 and it will employ 100 workers.

Quote from Australian food news October 8th 2012

“Mr Ryan and local politician Liberal Member for Bass Ken Smith joined representatives of Battunga Orchards and Bon View Orchards in Tynong to announce Nine Mile Fresh, a joint venture to establish a state-of-the-art world-class apple sorting, grading and packaging facility.

“The Nine Mile Fresh project will create an additional 50 new jobs in the first year of operation and up to 100 jobs after five years, which will provide a significant boost for the local economy.”

The Cardinia Shire has clearly indicated by their discussion paper Nar Nar Goon is a town that should be developed. The township is clearly changing with the development of the Pakenham Racing Club, the loss of agricultural industry and the need for lower density high quality residential areas. It is the perfect place to end the high density urban growth development. Nar Nar Goon could permanently stop the urban sprawl by providing an alternative development but still provide homes for people needing housing close to their employment.

RELEVANCE TO CARDINIA COUNCIL PLAN The Council vision. "Cardinia Shire to be developed in a planned manner to enable present and future generations to enjoy and experience the diverse and distinctive characteristics of our Shire. The preparation of the Nar Nar Goon Township Strategy recognises Nar Nar Goon as a large rural township and will endeavour to facilitate the development of retail, commercial, community and residential Nar Nar Goon Progress Association facilities and services to meet the needs of the present, future and changing needs of the community. The Township Strategy will endeavour to balance the needs of development, the community and environment, as per the Council Plan.”

In summary:-

Nar Nar Goon has the infrastructure to develop into a sustainable rural town. Nar Nar Goon needs a growth strategy. Nar Nar Goon needs a range of residential allotments to encourage young families and those wanting larger blocks to enjoy what a large rural town can offer. Nar Nar Goon needs a town boundary. Nar Nar Goon needs a structure plan to halt the spread of the UGB.

If you require further assistance or information, please feel free to contact me on

Geoff Bramley President Nar Nar Goon Progress Association

Nar Nar Goon Progress Association The five growth options

2

Princes Fwy

SECTION E Ararat Creek 1 n

y Ararat Creek Princes Fw Br ven Mile Drai oiler farm Se Section A Broiler farm n Broiler farm Section B

Racecourse Rd

ven Mile Drai

Se Mulcare St Station Rd Broiler farm Section B Carn Section A Section C ey St Station Rd Railway line Railw Racecourse Rd Home Rd ay line Carney St Section D Mulcare St Section D Latta Rd Section C Home Rd

Latta Rd Main St

Ararat Creek

Main St y Princes Fw Section E

n Broiler farm

ven Mile Drai Section B Section A Se Broiler farm

Station Rd 3 Racecourse Rd Railway line Legend Carney St Mulcare St Section D Existing township footprint Home Rd

Section C Residential development Latta Rd

Employment land

Main St

y 5 Princes Fw

Section E

4 n Ararat Creek

Ararat Creek y Princes Fw Section E ven Mile Drai Broiler farm Se Broiler farm Section A Section B n

Broiler farm Racecourse Rd

ven Mile Drai Section A Section B Station Rd Se Mulcare St Broiler farm Carney St Railway line

Home Rd Racecourse Rd Station Rd Railway line Carney St Latta Rd Mulcare St Section C Section D Section D Home Rd

Section C Main St

Latta Rd

Main St