Council’s concerns about Talbot Quarry development plan confirmed

Published on 24 March 2026

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Monash Council welcomes the findings of the Victorian Government’s Standing Advisory Committee (SAC) review of the proposed rezoning of the Talbot Quarry site, which confirm many of Council’s long-held concerns.

The SAC report found that while the land could potentially be remediated and developed for residential use, the proposed planning amendment did not properly address the site’s history as a sand quarry and landfill.

Monash Mayor Cr Stuart James said the findings reinforce Council’s position that the landowner’s proposal did not provide the certainty required to manage the site’s contamination and geotechnical risks.

“We have been clear that any proposal to rezone and develop this former quarry and landfill must be underpinned by rigorous, detailed and enforceable planning controls. It is not something to rush.

“In our submission to the Minister for Planning, Council argued against rezoning the former Talbot Quarry site while concerns remain about the ongoing management of contamination and geotechnical risks.

“It is pleasing to see these concerns reinforced,” Cr James said.

Key findings of the SAC included:

  • The geotechnical and environmental issues can be addressed to support a future development.
  • The proposed amendment contains deficiencies that must be addressed before approval.
  • The planning controls should more strongly and accurately reflect the site’s environmental and geotechnical constraints and the requirements to manage them.
  • There is no justification to exempt the site from the public open space contribution under the Monash Planning Scheme.
  • The Minister for Planning should be the responsible authority for the development plan and all future planning permit applications.
  • Social and community infrastructure needs, and a funding plan for the site, should be determined before the development plan is finalised.

“We have long believed, based on expert advice, that it is possible to develop the Talbot Quarry site for housing, but there are significant geotechnical and contamination challenges that must be addressed first.” Cr James said.

“Although the proposed works and development are estimated to take 9 years, future residents of the development will be part of the Monash community, and we will continue to advocate for them.”

“We now wait to hear how the Victorian Government’s Department of Transport and Planning will address the concerns raised in the SAC report,” Cr James added.

The SAC’s report is available on the Victorian Government’s Planning Panels website.

 

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