A LARGE parcel of open land in Capel Sound will be saved from development, following a decision by Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors to keep it as public open space.
At least half the site at 11A Allambi Ave in Capel Sound had faced potential future development but will instead be preserved for community use as part of the shire’s draft open space strategy which will be exhibited for public consultation this month.
Under the proposal, the site, which covers 21,893 square metres (about the size of three soccer fields), would be rezoned from residential to public park and recreation, which was called for in a council motion last August.
Councillors voted unanimously in favour of the proposal at their 12 August meeting after going against a shire officers’ recommendation that suggested just under half of the land (one hectare) was “considered sufficient to meet the open space needs of the precinct”.
Had this been supported, the shire would have assessed the remainder of the parcel (11,893sqm) and determined whether it was needed for any other “municipal uses, development and/or disposal”.
This is despite a shire report stating that following consultation for the open space strategy the “most frequent feedback received related to retaining and developing 11A Allambi Ave as public open space”.
“It is likely that the recommendation to develop approximately one hectare of this land as public open space will not be popular with the local community who seek to have the entire land area rezoned to public park and recreation zone and embellished as public open space,” it said.
Deputy mayor Paul Pingiaro however strongly backed the community’s voice, highlighting the importance of keeping green areas for the liveability of the area.
“This does not affect our housing targets, and the cost is minimal, so we need to make a stand on what is appropriate development,” he said.
“With a growing population comes stress on our parks and our open space and places like this need to be preserved; we need them for our future open spaces.
“Our residents tell us they want responsible development and protection of green areas, and this delivers just that.”
Cr Max Patton was also supportive of keeping the land as green space, noting, “Capel Sound’s been recognised as a suburb with some of the lowest open space provision in the shire and retaining the whole site will give the community room to grow, to recreate and to connect with nature”.
Cr Patrick Binyon also welcomed the move, saying nature had multiple benefits for mental wellbeing, and supporting a healthier and more connected community.
“Intergenerational connection is vital and important, and I think that this space allows for that,” he said.
Mayor Cr Anthony Marsh said while there was still a long process ahead to develop the site as public open space “it obviously sets council’s position clear I think in terms of a resolution of how we expect to use that land and that’s key”.
“I think it gives the community comfort that we’re not going to go and develop it – and I think that’s why people are here (in the council meeting gallery) and why they’re so keen to see this resolved.”
A council report said there was also an opportunity to “potentially use a portion of Eastbourne Primary School (also in Capel Sound) as public open space before and after school hours to expand the land available for leisure and recreation pursuits”.
Overall, the draft open space strategy pointed to rezoning 28 “high priority” parcels of land across the shire “identified to be retained for public open space purposes”.
The draft open space strategy and draft open space contributions report will be publicly exhibited for six weeks starting this month.
First published in the Mornington News – 19 August 2025
