• Cranbourne News

By Bridget Brady

26th November 2009 02:06:05 AM

New CCC members Rodney McQuie and Briony Doyle from Blakes Feast Catering attended the quarterly meeting with Cranbourne Royal Botanic Gardens director Chris Russell.

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MEMBERS of the Cranbourne Chamber of Commerce (CCC) heard of the council’s disappointment at the potential loss of agriculture in Casey at a meeting this week.

Casey council’s manager of strategic planning Liam Hodgetts spoke at the CCC quarterly meeting held at the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne on Tuesday night, and said proposed changes to the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) could see development occur in the future on rich, fertile soil in the Clyde area.

The council had asked the State Government to remove half of about the 5500 hectares initially announced to be developed for a more compact urban expansion that would protect the market garden and vegetable growing areas of Casey. But these requests were ignored when changes to the boundary were announced recently.

Mr Hodgetts also spoke of Cranbourne being a “rough diamond” that had huge potential for development and prosperity, including a number of structure plans around the area such as Botanic Ridge, Cranbourne West, Cranbourne North, Cranbourne East and Clyde North that planned for residential and job growth.

Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne Chris Russell spoke of the exciting stage two developments at the Australian Garden that were due to be completed in late 2011.

Australia’s flora and landscapes would be represented in the second stage of development at the Australian Garden, Mr Russell said, and would encourage people to embrace Australian plants and water saving plants.

He said one of the challenges was to engage a younger generation who were growing up with less exposure and skills in relation to gardening.

“There is plenty on our plate, but it’s very exciting times,” Mr Russell said.

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