Building interest in Creek
SOMEof the state’s top property developers and planners have been taken on a tour of Armstrong Creek.
The tour was part of the Urban Development Institute of Australia’s Victorian conference, which was held in Geelong.
City of Greater Geelong’s planning strategy manager, Terry Demeo, took about 40 developers, builders, town planners, urban designers, property investors, engineers and infrastructure specialists from across the state on a tour of the Armstrong Creek urban growth areas on Friday.
He was joined by the lead consultant for the Urban Growth Plan, David Lock Associates principal Mark Sheppard, who discussed some of the many constraints, challenges and other issues involved in the 2500ha development.
The tour concluded with a visit to Warralily where Newlands development manager Matthew Flieschmann gave an overview of the housing estate’s progress.
‘‘It’s been an exciting two years,’’ he said. ‘‘We have around 25 households here already and it’s great to see residents moving in.’’
SMEC engineering and development consultancy delegate Randah Jordan said the tour and conference had been very interesting.
APP Corporation and TPG principal Andrew Read agreed. ‘‘It was good to visit Armstrong Creek and see what’s happening here,’’ Mr Read said.
Executive director of competing developer Villawood, Rory Costelloe, said interest in the Armstrong Mt Duneed estate’s November land release was robust.
UDIA Victoria executive director Tony De Domenico said the conference, which attracted about 110 delegates, had been an outstanding success.
‘‘Feedback from our delegates about Geelong has been very positive,’’ he said.
‘‘Geelong is playing a vital part in the state’s expansion outside Melbourne’s growth area,’’ he said.