Moolap plan doubts

Council urges caution

GEELONG council has called for caution and warned of the myriad environmental challenges in developing a parcel of land around Moolap.

The industrial clean-up of the Alcoa site, looming sea level rises and inundation are among issues raised by council in its contribution to the longterm strategy for the region.

The State Government is closing in on a vision for the 1200ha area, which takes in Point Henry, the former saltworks and surrounds.

In its submission, finalised this week, the council has provided in-principle support for tourism and residential ventures at Point Henry.

Planning and development director Peter Bettess said medium to high density housing development was preferred.

“This precinct should be a leader in design and sustainability excellence,” Mr Bettess said.

However, Alcoa’s ownership presented a “genuine challenge” in remediating the land for residential living.

“The outcome of the EPA clean-up notice and associated works must be closely monitored and reviewed to determine the potential future land uses,” he said.

“It is foreseeable that sensitive uses such as residential may be restricted to certain parts of the precinct based on the extent of clean-up.”

He also forecasts the need to provide a different tourism offering to that seen on the Surf Coast and elsewhere on the Bellarine Peninsula.

The council has concerns about the potential barriers to residential development in the 300ha South East precinct.

“These challenges include consistency with current settlement and housing policy, and the management of buffers to industry, that need to be worked through,” Mr Bettess said.

“This has significant potential implications for the city and existing industries.”

He said the area could also be used to host new industry, including a new cleantech cluster.

The future of the saltworks and wetlands should be considered with caution, the council believes.

“A precautionary approach for this precinct is supported,” Mr Bettess said.

A multi-government report last year highlighted the flooding risks at Point Henry, which is a low-lying area that has little or no sand dunes to protect the hinterland.

Rising sea levels, storm surges and the potential exposure of acid sulphate soils that would destroy seagrass meadows are also acknowledged in the Moolap draft plan.

Mr Bettess said the existing method of pumping water in the saltworks would need to continue.

The final Moolap coastal strategic framework plan, being prepared by DELWP, is expected to be released before the end of the year.