$10m, 19 home development planned for Highton’s Morven Court

Plans for a $10m development in Highton are latest in a series of controversial developments planned for the site known as “frog hollow”.

An artist's rendition of the proposed Morven Court development in Highton. Source: planning documents.

A beloved Highton “frog hollow” could be transformed into a $10m development under plans lodged with the City of Greater Geelong.

The vacant Morven Court property, less than a kilometre from Highton Village, would be subdivided into 19 lots if the plans are approved.

The City of Greater Geelong has already received 12 objections against the proposa and just one letter of support.

It comes after previous attempts to build more houses at the site received significant backlash from residents and were ultimately rejected.

Plans for a 33 house development were originally submitted in 2020, but the city received 108 objections and developers went back to the drawing board.

Residents successfully took an altered bid for a 27 house development to VCAT, after raising $9000 in an online crowd-funding campaign to cover legal costs.

In 2021 Highton Residents railed against developer plans to build 33 houses and townhouses in “frog hollow”, a large tract of land at 2 Morven Court at the centre of about 19 properties. Picture: Peter Ristevski

The city’s executive director of planning and design, Gareth Smith, said key concerns held by objectors to the new plans were around stormwater and flooding.

“Other issues raised are about density, a potential increase in traffic and removal of vegetation.

“A few objectors have noted it is an improved design compared to last time,” he said.

Developers argued issues such as “flooding, sustainability, stormwater management, landscape design, traffic and access” were taken into consideration.

An artist's rendition of the proposed Morven Crt development in Highton. Source: planning documents.

“The proposed development has undergone a rigorous and iterative design process and is informed by a suite of technical assessments to ensure the proposal is responsive to key site constraints and considerations,” planning documents read.

According to planning documents, the proposal “represents a significant urban infill opportunity”, given “the site’s unique size, location and proximity to established services”.

Developers argued the proposal was underpinned by state and local planning strategies, and would help take pressure off greenfields development.

“It represents well-considered urban consolidation that will reduce pressure areas not otherwise ready for increased density,” the documents noted.

An artist's rendition of the proposed Morven Court development in Highton. Source: planning documents.

“It offers a potential to diversify the municipality’s predominant housing stock, and it provides an opportunity to increase the density of housing stock in proximity to existing urban infrastructure and services.”

It comes after experts called for the “efficient use” of existing urban areas to prevent urban sprawl in May.

Planning documents also cite the property’s “limited frontage to adjoining streets” as advantageous.

“The proposed residential development capitalises on the siting, address and

existing limited streetscape interface,” planning documents said.

Advertising for the project closes July 19.

Originally published as $10m, 19 home development planned for Highton’s Morven Court