City maps out growth area

THE City of Greater Geelong will open up more than 50sq km of land for development on the city’s urban fringe, to house more than 110,000 new residents — a population greater than that of Ballarat.

Councillors on Tuesday unanimously voted to adopt final versions of the city’s Settlement Strategy and Northern and Western Geelong Growth Areas Framework Plan, and move to implement the documents into the city’s planning scheme.

The strategies are expected to guide the city’s expected population boom by opening up 53.31sq km of land — comprising 20.9sq km in Lovely Banks and 32.41sq km in Batesford — to allow for an estimated 112,078 new residents by 2050.

The settlement strategy directs the region’s housing growth to occur in the new growth zones, Armstrong Creek and via urban infill, moving away from the previous policy to expand areas of the Bellarine Peninsula.

Mayor Stephanie Asher said roughly half of all new regional Victorians were expected to settle in Greater Geelong over the next 30 years, with the strategies aiming to prepare for that.

“This resolution is the culmination of several years’ work in preparing for this incoming growth and ensuring that we protect our environment and retain our enviable lifestyle,” Cr Asher said. “A key element is moving future development away from the Bellarine Peninsula and towards the north and west of Geelong, which is welcome news for communities in these areas.”

Councillor Bruce Harwood said planning for the city’s expected growth was “critical”.

“We’ve seen a huge change in the landscape of Geelong over the last few years and this is going to continue into the northern and western areas,” Cr Harwood said. “The demand won’t slow down for our region or our environment, we just have to make sure we adapt accordingly and we set the right precinct structure plans in place.

“The Armstrong Creek development thus far should give us confidence that we’ll see good development in the north and west.

“We’ll see that continued infill development continue in the suburban areas of Geelong and into the CBD, which we have to brace ourselves for, as the demand increases for our region and the environment here.”

This year an independent panel appointed by the planning minister gave its “strong support” to the settlement strategy and framework plan, after holding 28 days of hearings, considering 102 submissions and making “numerous” inspections.

The amendment and final plans will be sent to the Victorian planning minister final approval.