Residents block units
Objectors call for park instead of apartments
PORTARLINGTON residents are preparing to face off against developers of a proposed five-level apartment block on the town’s main strip, as decision-making power on the project moves to the state’s planning umpire.
And a group of objectors have called for the site to be bought back from developers and transformed into a park with sweeping bay views.
The City of Greater Geelong received more than 100 objections after revealing the $7m proposal to build a “multi-level mixed-use building” containing 13 apartments and two retail spaces on Newcomb Street, Portarlington, late last year.
But the CoGG did not make a decision on the proposal within the required time, prompting the developers to apply for the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) to make a decision on the plans.
VCAT will host a compulsory conference on June 23, before a major case hearing scheduled for the week of August 30.
Portarlington Community Association president Geoff Fary said his group opposed the planned project, but understood the need for development in the growing town.
“We believe the site for this proposed five-level development, which is on the north side of the street, is totally inappropriate,” Mr Fary said.
“It would block out much of the views from the main street down to the waterfront and across the bay.
“Our vision would be to see ultimately that return to what it once was, and that is a lovely open garden or park running down to the waterfront.”
Mr Fary said the group hoped funds could be raised for the land to be purchased by the state or federal governments or a community trust fund, to then transform it into a park — even producing an artist’s impression of its plans.
Earlier this year, Portarlington resident Greg Murray, who is part of a group proposing to build the apartments, claimed there was wide-ranging support for the development.
“They understand if there is no development in the town it will just die,” he said. “I’ve lived in Portarlington for about eight years — we’re not ‘big time developers’, we’re just local people that know each other, came together and saw an opportunity.”
Planning documents lodged with the CoGG last year showed the proposed building would have a maximum height of 14.3m with three storeys visible from Newcomb Street, but spread across five levels at the rear of the sloping site.