Edenville development on Sharland Rd in Corio approved by VCAT

A mega housing project in Corio, with links to billionaire businessman James Packer, has been given the green light by the state’s planning umpire.

A render of the single-storey homes proposed for the Edenville development in Corio.

A $50m affordable housing development in Corio, with links to billionaire businessman James Packer, has been given the green light by the state’s planning umpire despite Geelong council previously labelling it “significant over-development”.

After a three day hearing at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) in early July, the proposal for 26-34 Sharland Rd was granted a permit on Wednesday.

The development of 107 single and double storey dwellings, one less than originally proposed, will include 72 apartments and 35 townhouses.

A render of the Sharland Rd development.

Melbourne developer Deniz Sivasli’s Edenville Corio is behind the development, which has been backed by a consortium that includes former casino mogul James Packer and investment businessman Joe Gersh.

Geelong council previously did not make a decision on the proposal within a statutory time period, resulting in the developer taking the matter to VCAT.

In November last year, council opposed the project saying it was a “significant over-development” of the former Rosewall Primary School site, which has been sitting vacant since 2008.

But Mr Sivasli hit back at council at the time, saying its decision sent a message that would delay much-needed housing and discourage investment in the area.

On Thursday, Mr Sivasli said he was “delighted” with the VCAT decisionwhich represented “a logical response given the need to bring affordable, well designed medium density living to Corio.”

“Given both the local and state imperative to increase housing supply in Greater Geelong, VCAT’s agreement that the proposal is what the area needs serves to endorse government policy aimed at providing residents with affordable housing solutions,” he said.

“Edenville Corio will bring renewal and vibrancy to Corio and this under-utilised parcel of infill land by attracting new residents to the area.

“Construction is envisaged to begin in the second quarter of 2025, following an 18-month delay and hundreds of thousands spent on the VCAT process, as a result of council’s decision to act against clear policy for appropriate housing growth in Geelong.”

VCAT documents state Worksafe also objected to the plans to council as the site sits 700m away from the Viva Energy refinery and within its outer safety area, however it was a not a party in the hearing.

Council’s executive director of placemaking Tennille Bradley said: “We are still reviewing the VCAT decision so we don’t have any comment to make at this stage.”

The site was sold in 2022 for $7.1m.

Originally published as Edenville development on Sharland Rd in Corio approved by VCAT