Estate won’t be squeezy
Council nod to plan
A RESIDENTIAL development in Waurn Ponds will go ahead despite widespread community opposition, including fears it could create a crime-riddled “ghetto”.
But community feedback did prompt Geelong councillors to demand the development slash the number of houses to be squeezed in, while also requiring larger minimum lot sizes and more public open space.
City of Greater Geelong councillors on Tuesday voted to adopt planning scheme amendment C372, to rezone the land at 35 and 69-93 Hams Rd from “farming” to “general residential” to allow for a 238,600sq m development — after twice deferring a decision on the land in recent weeks.
Amendments added by Cr Pat Murnane included requirements for developers to build no more than 214 residential lots, with none to be built on plots of land smaller than 400sq m — and a minimum of 850sq m for those facing Hams Rd.
“The offering that this estate now provides is very different from what was previously proposed when we first started with negotiations,” Cr Murnane said. “We’ve listened very intently to the views of the public.
“When this matter first came to the council we were looking at a subdivision of 400 lots. We’ve now got that number down to 214. Along with the other changes we’ve introduced through this resolution, the development now looks a lot different to what it once did.
“The public open space is very generous, with a great entrance into the estate, a generous central park, and green space flowing through from one end to the other.”
Cr Murnane’s amendments also called for three lots in both sites to be replaced with open space to “provide a visual connection to the creek reserve parkland”.
The city also noted concerns around traffic issues on Ghazeepore Rd, with the developer offering $500,000 to go towards a traffic improvement study and works, with the community set to have input into design options to address concerns.
Cr Ron Nelson, who had been a vocal advocate for concerned community members but was unable to attend the meeting, said he was “disappointed” by the decision, but said much-needed upgrades to Ghazeepore Rd were a silver lining.
The council last year called on the state’s Planning Minister to appoint an independent panel to consider submissions to the proposal, which included 159 objections.
Key issues raised in the objections included fears a highdensity development would create socio-economic problems in the area, along with concerns around traffic, crime and safety, and environmental impacts.
“Submitters raise concerns that a ‘ghetto’ will be created, others describe potential for an isolated, congested enclave,” council officers wrote last year.
A panel report to the city in October supported the planning scheme amendment.