A PUBLIC reserve strip in Mornington is set to be sold and rezoned for new homes, with a developer expected to create a replacement park.
Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors approved the move at their 17 March meeting, despite resident opposition to the proposal.
The land at 93 Watt Rd, described as “part of Reserve No 1 on Plan of Subdivision 346179,” sits between 8 and 10 Woodbyne Crescent. The long, narrow strip stretches about 163 metres and 10 metres wide, providing open space and a pedestrian link between Woodbyne Crs and Racecourse Rd.
Council documents show the site was flagged for sale after a property review and assessed under the shire’s policies for disposing of surplus land.
“The sale of council land is a significant decision. Council adopted the Disposal of Property ‘Deemed Excess and/or Inappropriate’ Policy in 2009 and the Property Strategy in 2018, which guides decision making in relation to the sale of land,” the report stated.
“The sale of council land may only be considered where the land is surplus or unsuitable for municipal purpose (policy) and where there is no ongoing service need or council’s delivery approach has changed (strategy).
“The land has been identified for potential divestment and assessed against the sale criteria within the policy and the strategy.”
If sold, the block would be added to the adjoining property and could be developed under approved planning rules.
The council said the sale would be separate from any rezoning or subdivision applications, including planning scheme amendment c247morn, which is a separate planning process seeking to rezone and subdivide the site.
As part of the sale deal, the purchaser would also be required to provide replacement open space in Woodbyne Crs equal to the land sold.
During community consultation, 50 submissions were received. Of these, 64 per cent opposed the sale, citing concerns of traffic, strain on infrastructure, and change the character of the neighbourhood.
Four respondents were unsure, while 28 per cent supported the plan.
Cr David Gill, who voted against the proposal, expressed serious concerns about the impact.
“I have some trepidation about the proposal. I think what I’m seeing, it brings to light the lack of community infrastructure provided by developers in general, without pointing to any particular developers, in general, because that’s the way things are set up,” he said.
Gill warned that developments like this could increase traffic and infrastructure needs.
“Subdivisions like this one increase the amount of traffic. They increase the need for infrastructure,” he said.
“It’s quite substantial. In Mornington, it might not be noticed much, but in most communities on the peninsula, it would be a very large piece of increased housing.”
Council documents noted that the replacement park would need to include full park infrastructure, ensuring the community retains access to green space even as the reserve is sold off.
Cr Kate Roper said she hoped a new playground would be considered.
Acting mayor Cr Paul Pingiaro supported the decision “as it provides a structured pathway to necessary statutory planning and also, importantly, replacement considerations for open space”.
First published in the Mornington News – 24 March 2026
