State stymies plan for Cheetham site

A MULTI-billion-dollar proposal to build a new waterfront suburb in Moolap appears to be dead in the water.

The Nelson Cove project — which would have featured more than 3000 homes, two marinas and a commercial boulevard — was first spruiked in 2014 for the site of the old Cheetham salt works.

But a lack of enthusiasm from the State Government, combined with its flat rejection of any housing component, has cast doubt on the future of the $4 billion project.

“There will be no residential development at all on the Cheetham salts work site — that was made clear when we released the draft (Moolap coastal) plan,” keen to push on with the project in Geelong and was in a position to secure funding “if, in the new year, it is still feasible and supported”.

“We still believe in the independent research that concluded that it would be an economic game-changer for the Geelong region capable of getting the town moving much further forward than otherwise,” Mr Head said.

Sanctuary Living has already lodged plans with the State Government to gain approval for the new waterfront suburb.

If it was given the green light, the development would include more than 3.5km of new public beaches, while land would be reserved for a future light rail system connecting it to the CBD.

The State Government is still in the process of finalising its Moolap coastal plan — a road map covering more than 1200ha of land and 10km of coastline that takes in Alcoa’s sites and the former salt works.

The plan was meant to be ready by the end of last year, but the Government has said it is still several months away.

A spokesman for Planning Minister Richard Wynne said the delay was due to ongoing consultation with experts and the broader community.

“This is a sensitive site and we have to get the planning right,” the spokesman said. “We make no apologies for taking the necessary time to plan properly to make sure we make the most of the area.”

A draft report last year revealed the Government was prioritising environmental and tourism uses.