Green light for Leopold housing bid

VICTORIA’S planning umpire has overturned a council refusal of a Leopold development, paving the way for almost 200 new homes on the southern fringe of the expanding township.

The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal this month threw out the City of Greater Geelong’s resolution to oppose the staged subdivision of five properties on the western side of Ash Rd, directing the city to instead approve the development plan.

The 121,000sq m of land is now poised to be subdivided into 189 residential lots, an open space reserve, a drainage reserve and a new road network.

Applicants for the development had appealed to VCAT to make a ruling on the application after the city failed to make a decision within the required timeframe, with the city then resolving to oppose the development plan.

“Council refused the application on the grounds that it is not generally in accordance with development plan overlay – schedule 33 (DPO33),” VCAT documents noted.

“The grounds it raised were grouped into three issues; open space, drainage and traffic.”

In determining to approve the planning application, the tribunal found the proposed 10,700sq m of open space was an acceptable outcome, as were proposed drainage and traffic infrastructure.

The VCAT decision comes as developers also push to rezone five farming properties on the eastern side of Ash Rd – directly across from now approved site – to transform farmland into a residential development of almost 200 new homes and space to build many more.

Geelong councillors in September voted to call for an independent panel to be formed to consider public feedback to development plans on the eastern side of Ash Rd, after last year approving the preparation and public exhibition of the combined planning scheme amendment and planning permit application.

Bellarine ward councillor Trent Sullivan said last year the rezoning plan had the “vast support of the community” owing to a shortage of housing in the suburb.

“Leopold residents I’ve spoken to so far regarding this subdivision have been positive about it,” Mr Sullivan said.

A city report noted the proposed development of the farmland would be consistent with the 2013 Leopold structure plan.