But Dandenong mayor Jim Memeti, who was among those on a recent council trade trip to China, has indicated the company planned to turn the land into a theme park. Cr Memeti did not return calls, but was quoted last month in a local paper floating the idea. Fellow councillor Roz Blades said the council was expecting a report on the proposal soon.

But opponents of the green wedge land being used for a theme park or other uses warned it set a dangerous precedent.

"The green wedge is being sold to the development wolves," claimed Alex Breskin, a Greens candidate for the seat of the Mordialloc, which requires a 1.5 per cent swing to Labor to unseat the Liberal Party's Lorraine Wreford.

Local residents and campaigners have called on all parties to reinforce their commitment to protecting the south-eastern green wedge, which covers about 93 square kilometres across the four marginal electorates of Frankston, Carrum, Mordialloc and Cranbourne.

Julia Hamer, daughter of Sir Rupert, described Melbourne's green wedges as "one of my father's greatest legacies" and warned of growing threats to their survival.