Developer Deniz Sivasli lashes Geelong council after learning the future of former Rosewall Primary School site will be decided by planning umpire

A Melbourne developer says City Hall’s incompetence created several issues during the application phase of a Corio development that is now heading to court. HAVE YOUR SAY.

The future of a housing development in Corio will be decided by the state’s planning umpire.

A housing project in Corio with links to one of Australia’s wealthiest people has hit a hurdle after Geelong council labelled it a “significant over-development”, with the fate of the $50m project to now be decided by the state’s planning tribunal.

The affordable housing development on the former site of Rosewall Primary School on Sharland Rd would include 108 dwellings and the creation of new reserves.

Almost half of the dwellings would by four-bedroom, single-storey buildings, while a strip of nearby 11 McHarry Crt also forms part of the development.

Geelong council did not a make decision on the planning application within the statutory time period, resulting in the developer launching proceedings with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).

The hearing has been scheduled for May 6-9 next year.

Melbourne developer Deniz Sivasli’s Edenville group is behind the project, backed by a consortium that includes former casino mogul James Packer and investment guru Joe Gersh.

Mr Packer cashed out of Crown Resorts last year in a move that netted him $3.3bn.

Council’s planning committee chair Jim Mason said City Hall had been working with Edenville over concerns about the project’s high density.

The future of a housing development in Corio will be decided by the state’s planning umpire.

Mr Mason said it was decided at last week’s committee meeting that council would oppose the project.

“We decided to advocate for VCAT to refuse a planning permit to construct 108 dwellings in Corio as the application proposes a significant over-development of the site, is not in keeping with the character and appearance of the area, and doesn’t integrate with nearby community facilities,” he said.

The site of the proposed Edenville development in Corio.

In response, Mr Sivasli lashed council for its decision, which he said sent a message that would discourage investment and delay much-needed housing.

“Councils often refuse important infill projects on the grounds of ‘neighbourhood character’ concerns rather than making decisions for the wider benefit of the community,” he said.

“The council’s suggestion that our proposal doesn’t integrate with the adjoining neighbourhood character is incredibly disappointing and demonstrates that year-long efforts and changes were wasted, as the council seemingly cannot support anything more than ‘business as usual’.

“Council’s failure to adhere to its own strategic planning for the former school site has created many issues through this application.

“They failed to acquire part of the school site for the expansion of the community centre or ensure the community centre had adequate carparking.”

The 3.1ha site sold for $7.1m in April 2022.

It has sat vacant since 2008 after Rosewall merged with Corio Primary School before later forming part of Northern Bay P-12 College.

Residents have since reported anti-social behaviour at the site.

During a public consultation phase earlier this year, council received nine objections and one letter of support.

Among the concerns were a loss of mature trees and vegetation and publicly accessible open space.

Under the Edenville plans, the site would undergo tree regeneration and the development would include landscaped communal spaces.

Meanwhile, Geelong council has rejected an application for the construction of five two-storey townhouses on a 654sq metre parcel of land at 24 Patullos Rd, Lara.

“The application didn’t appropriately meet neighbourhood character given the overall density proposed on the lot,” Mr Mason said.

Originally published as Developer Deniz Sivasli lashes Geelong council after learning the future of former Rosewall Primary School site will be decided by planning umpire