MORE than 100 residents fighting a high-tech industry and business park proposed for Somerville have signed a petition saying it would destroy the area’s “natural beauty” among other concerns.
The proposed development at 79 and 83 Bungower Rd in Somerville by Procter Investments Pty would see a community hub created with cafes, sports facilities, retail tenant spaces, and possibly a micro-brewery. If approved, it is expected to provide up to 1100 jobs with the aim of addressing a “critical shortage” of industry land on the peninsula. The site comprises two property titles totalling nearly 37 hectares, which are zoned as special use port related but deemed surplus to the Port of Hastings needs in 2018. It was declared regionally significant industrial land by the state government in 2019.
As reported by The News in March, a planning scheme amendment which was privately led by Procter Investments Pty Ltd, the founders of navigation technology company Sealite, was open for public feedback in 2023 with the Mornington Peninsula Shire receiving a total of 114 submissions. About 33 per cent of submissions supported the amendment, while 54 per cent oppose it, with concerns cited of traffic impacts and the development being inappropriate for the area (Tech park plan sparks traffic concerns, The News 13/03/25). One key issue raised was that the land should be rezoned to Green Wedge or farming and not for industrial use.
Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors at their 25 February meeting decided to refer all submissions to a planning panel which will be appointed by Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny – with a panel hearing is expected to be held for a week from 12 May. Following the hearing, the panel will prepare a report with recommendations for council to consider, but the state government will ultimately decide whether to approve the proposal or refuse it.
Among the supporters of the proposal is Cr Kate Roper, who, as reported by The News, said while she understood resident concerns, the benefits of such a project were “well supported” and would be an “important driver” for employment on the peninsula.
However, a group of concerned citizens have since launched a petition since the council meeting, citing the long-term environmental damage if the proposal was to proceed, traffic impacts, and that the site should be protected by green wedge values.
“There is a risk that concentrated rainfall runoff into groundwater, may affect the salinity of nearby paddocks, affecting soil fertility and livestock. “This runoff could potentially pollute Western Port Bay, which has been identified as an ecologically sensitive Ramsar Wetland,” the petition, signed by 105 people, said. “Council could benefit from maintaining these green wedge areas for potential revenues from tourism and not for short term gain of leasing contracts for industry.”
The petition also noted that in 2023, “in spite of council’s research identifying sufficient appropriately zoned land in Hastings, another amendment for rezoning was proposed for the Bungower Rd site”. Another issue raised in the petition was that the proposed development would be a missed opportunity to address the region’s housing crisis. “The council could take advantage of the low-density rural area, as it is close to town and residents don’t want to be surrounded by industrial estates,” it said.
“Respondents are of the opinion that a technology park in both Somerville and Hastings would cause leasing competition, with the potential for neither site being able to run at sufficient capacity for success. There are already significant warehouses for lease in Hastings and Somerville industrial areas.”
According to concerned residents supporting the petition, a 400-strong petition was originally signed in 2020 to oppose the proposed development, noting that it was the “community’s understanding this project was not going ahead and council’s own research suggested Hastings was a better option near Bunnings”. Residents told The News they “felt blindsided by the current proposal as they felt the issue was done and dusted”.
Of the 114 submissions, supporters expressed interest in the land use and employment opportunities, “while many of the opposing submissions raised concerns about traffic impacts on Bungower Road and future industrial uses on the land,” the report said.
Concerned resident Simone Nash said the land on Bungower Rd bordered on green wedge zoning.
“This proposal conflicts with state planning for the Mornington Peninsula. State planning has specified that the Mornington Peninsula is to be preserved for it conservation, tourism and townships,” she said.
“It seems pointless to me that the land would be downgraded to industrial instead of upgraded for market gardens or residences.”
Opponents intend to have their voices heard at a community ward meeting on 1 May at Somerville Community House, which is being hosted by Beek Beek Ward Cr Kate Roper from 6pm to 7.30pm.
First published in the Mornington News – 29 April 2025
