House about we go bigger?

GEELONG’S rapid residential expansion is showing no signs of slowing down, with a pair of development opportunities ticked off by council.

Councillors on Tuesday voted to rezone land at 2-120 Mollers Lane in Leopold from Farming Zone to General Residential Zone and to support a planning permit for the staged subdivision of about 530 lots.

The group also ticked off on a plan to prepare the Armstrong Creek growth area for almost 2000 more homes and 4300 more residents, releasing the Draft Marshall Precinct Structure Plan (PSP) for community consultation.

The Precinct Structure Plan (PSP) is the final residential PSP to be developed for the Armstrong Creek Growth Area, which is expected to pack 54,000 people into 22,000 households.

Mayor Bruce Harwood said he had no doubt there would be community concerns regarding traffic, general congestion and neighbourhood amenity as a result of the PSP and encouraged the public to take part in the 12-week community feedback period.

“We aim for this precinct structure plan to result in a quality, affordable lifestyle for residents,” Cr Harwood said.

“Having Marshall station as part of the precinct creates an opportunity for some medium and high-density housing, which would offer more people close access to trains into central Geelong and Melbourne.

“We’re keen to find out what the community thinks of this concept, so we encourage you to log on and have your say.”

The Marshall PSP applies to about 123ha of land bound by Barwon Heads Rd, Reserve Rd, the Waurn Ponds rail line and the edge of the current residential development to the south of Marshalltown Rd.

Councillors also voted to adopt Amendment C367 to rezone land at 2-120 Mollers Lane in Leopold and make way for residential development on the southern outskirts of the suburb.

The decision followed two public feedback periods in 2018, and the hearing of submissions at an independent panel in December.

The plan includes a one hectare local park, public open space along the two waterways bisecting the area and conditions to conserve and manage the local environment.

There is also a requirement for developers to deliver improved infrastructure, including widening of Mollers Lane, traffic lights at the Bellarine Highway intersection, parkland and drainage works.

They will also be required to contribute $40,000 per hectare to community infrastructure in Leopold.

Council will host a drop-in session regarding the Draft Marshall PSP from 4-8pm on July 22, at the Grovedale United Services Memorial Hall.

To provide feedback on the PSP visit geelongaustralia.com.au/yoursay by October 4.