Thursday, 4 December, 2025
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Trapped in traffic
Greenfield homes rezoning bid
Hardship relief push
Classic win for Cranbourne
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Christmas relief surge Find A Penny Foundation is preparing for what could be its busiest Christmas Community Barbecue, with demand for food relief expected to surpass last year’s 4,000 attendees. At its Hampton Park base, volunteers pack vegetables, nappies and donated goods as director Beata “BB” Stednik races between food pickups. The charity now supports thousands weekly, offering meals, hampers and a welcoming space for families under financial stress. Story page 11
Casey Mayor Cr Stefan Koomen dropped by to help out. He was with Find A Penny Foundation volunteers Karem, Bryan, BB (director), Camille, Doina and Carla. (Stewart Chambers: 521030)
Permit ‘called-in’ The controversial proposal to build more than 1000 homes on the Cranbourne Golf Course will now be decided by councillors, after Casey Council announced the planning application had been “called in” for determination at the 2026 February Council Meeting. The decision marks the first major planning application to be sent to a full council vote since Casey returned to elected councillors, and the first test of the council’s Protocols for Councillors – Land Use Planning, introduced by admin-
istrators following the IBAC Operation Sandon inquiry. Councillor Kim Ross, whose ward includes the golf course, said she asked the Mayor to call in the application after discussions with fellow councillors. She said councillors must remain impartial before the formal vote and could not comment further. Mayor Stefan Koomen said the proposal met
the criteria for a call-in due to its potential impact on local amenity, infrastructure and employment, and encouraged residents to register for or watch the February Meeting. The update followed two closed-door objector meetings held with Browns Property Group and council planning officers on 20 and 21 November. The housing application has attracted more than 50 objections. Objectors discussed concerns about the traffic congestion, the loss of green space, including
about 4000 trees, the capacity of local infrastructure (schools, kindergartens, GPs), and the risk from the nearby landfill (odour and leachate) at the meetings. Star News talked to a few objectors after the meeting. Some claimed their concerns were still not resolved, and they were left with more questions than answers. Some said the meetings did clarify some concerns for them. Full story page 3
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