‘Extra time’: Countdown to Lara flood zone decision
A controversial plan to label thousands of properties as flood prone will come back before the council.
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A controversial plan to label thousands of properties as flood prone will come back before Geelong’s council this week.
Lara’s flood study – which could impact hundreds of homes in the city’s north – will go before Greater Geelong councillors on Tuesday.
Hundreds of people objected to the council plan in 2020, with the bulk of concerns coming from Lara residents.
In a fresh twist, officers have recommended city councillors vote to refer the matter to the planning minister for the appointment of an independent panel, as the council needs more time to consider the proposal.
“The amendment will lapse in July 2023 and submissions now need to be referred to an
independent panel and the minister requested to allow extra time,” the report read.
The panel would have the power to consider all submissions.
Council officers requested an extra year to process the changes, and would hold a community forum for Lara submitters.
A property review undertaken last year recommended the removal of 2200 homes around Lara’s new housing estates, with councillors then deferring a decision to “allow officers to review the original criteria and determine any reasonable opportunities for further removal of properties”.
The latest move could see the city remove 755 properties only marginally affected by a “special building overlay”, in addition to the 2200 homes recommended at last year’s review.
“Council officers and consultants reviewed the criteria and consider it reasonable to remove properties that are only marginally affected by the Special Building Overlay (SBO) at Lara being those affected by 50 sqm or less of SBO mapping,” the report read.
“This approach maintains the integrity of the flood mapping and a level of control of development on these marginally affected properties (using building regulations) but without a planning overlay.”
When the report was first published in 2020, it was revealed the area’s booming population and increased climate change risks had put pressure on ageing stormwater infrastructure, increasing the risk of a once-in-a-century event.
Councillors will consider the report at Tuesday night’s meeting.
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Originally published as ‘Extra time’: Countdown to Lara flood zone decision
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