Geelong council’s Marshall development plans revealed

A once-rural neighbourhood could soon accommodate up to 5000 new residents.

Plans for significnat development nearby Marshall train station have been given the go-ahead. Photo: Alan Barber.

Geelong council has unanimously voted in favour of progressing with plans to develop more than 1500 new homes and a range of commercial outlets in a southern suburb.

The Marshall precinct structure plan was adopted at Tuesday night’s City of Greater Geelong council meeting, allowing for a range of development across 123 hectares of land that is bound by Marshall train station to the west, Barwon Heads Rd to the east, and Reserve Rd to the south.

Key features include medium and high-density residential development, commercial outlets, and the retention of native vegetation.

Marshall’s population would grow by up to 5000 people if the plan was implemented in full.

“The higher density accommodation close to Marshall railway station will transition from rural, semirural, and public utility land within the Marshall precinct and into an attractive, liveable, sustainable integrated urban environment,” Councillor Jim Mason told the meeting.

Mayor Trent Sullivan said the Marshall precinct was a unique development location for Geelong being close to a train station, arterial roads and set within a natural environment.

“A mix of apartments, townhouses and social housing will provide opportunities for new residents to settle in the area and help ease housing affordability pressures,” Mr Sullivan said.

“Greater housing diversity, local employment opportunities and habitat protection are key elements of the precinct plan.

“It will also provide improved access and use of the station and encourage walking and cycling.”

Following community feedback, refinements to the plan were made after the release of a draft in 2019.

Complexities around a stormwater drainage strategy for the precinct have been resolved.

The plan is expected to be exhibited publicly later this year.

“All feedback will be considered, and submitters will have the opportunity to present their case at a panel hearing if they wish,” Mr Mason said.

Plan to move thousands to rural Geelong suburb

A once-rural neighbourhood could soon accommodate up to 5000 new residents, according to a plan put forward by city hall.

City of Greater Geelong councillors this week will vote on a proposal to adopt Marshall’s precinct structure plan, aimed at guiding development in the growing community.

According to council data, the plan would generate more than 1555 homes and accommodate between 3000-5000 new residents.

The proposal would guide development, and provide guidance to city hall, developers and local communities about the transition to urbanisation.

It comes amid the city’s long-term Armstrong Creek Urban Growth Plan, providing housing for up to 54,000 people in Geelong’s southern suburbs.

“Development will capitalise on convenient access to Marshall Station and arterial roads, as well as remnant vegetation and other open space features,” a council report read.

“Marshall will become a sustainable, connected, walkable and visually interesting place set within a semi-natural environment.”

A draft plan was released in 2019, with the council “refining” the plan over the years and attributing the delay to “mainly due to complexities in resolving the stormwater drainage strategy for the precinct”.

“The plan is similar to the 2019 plan by providing residential, mixed use and commercial uses,” the report read.

Under the proposal, land around the Marshall train station would be turned into an urban growth zone.

“There are also areas of remnant native woodland close to the station that will be protected in future conservation reserves,” the report read.

“This dynamic has created residential parcels that will require creative housing design and access solutions, including detailed assessment of bushfire hazard at subdivision and development stage.”

Other land in the area would also be rezoned in line with development, and a contribution plan for potential developers set up.

“Fundamental to the plan is to take advantage of existing and planned infrastructure and natural features,” the report read.

“This includes the redevelopment of the Marshall Train Station, convenient north-south Drews Road connection to Marshalltown Road and the Horseshoe Bend Precinct, frontage to Barwon Heads Road, and existing patches of remnant native vegetation, water bodies and scattered trees, including the Smith Street greenway reserve.”

Councillors will vote on the plan at the September council meeting.

Originally published as Geelong council’s Marshall development plans revealed