RESIDENTS in a green belt at Beaconsfield are divided over whether to open their area up to development.

Cardinia Shire Council was considering property owners’ requests to rezone land in Glismann Road but has put the issue on hold — at least for now — because public opinion is split. Town planners said they had been approached by landholders in the area who were keen to subdivide.

But councillors at a meeting last week decided the timing was not right. They said other landholders opposed the plan and did not believe a clear direction had been set. Councillors Brett Owen and Graeme Legge led support for the officers recommendation that investigations into the rezoning be deferred for another three years.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate for council to proceed at this stage,” Cr Owen said.

The hilly country around Glisman Road is one of few remaining tracts of rural land in Beaconsfield.

Council was told a survey of residents resulted in almost an exact 50- 50 split on the issue. Of landholders surveyed, 10 were in favour of rezoning and nine were against.

“There is a slim majority of people saying yes. I don’t think that’s good enough at this stage,” Cr Owen said.

Councillors said public opinion may change in time.

“This is not a ‘no’. It’s ‘not yet’,” Cr Legge said.