Council approve sale of Norlane land to Aboriginal Co-op with $50m redevelopment planned

Geelong council has approved the sale of land to the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative, with a $50m “showcase” redevelopment planned for the site.

Wathaurong Dancers. Dancing, flag raising and a community day was held at Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative on Monday to mark the start of NAIDOC Week 2021. Picture: Alan Barber

Geelong council has approved the sale of land to the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative, with a $50m “showcase” redevelopment planned for the site.

A proposal to sell over 5000 square metres of land at 43 The Boulevard in Norlane went before council on Tuesday evening.

The City of Greater Geelong council unanimously approved the proposal, ending what Deputy Mayor Anthony Aitken described as an “extremely lengthy project.”

“But it’s justifiable for us,” Mr Aitken said.

“The indigenous population in Geelong is actually the largest of any Local Government Authority in Victoria, and the Wathaurong Co-op have an incredible future for that site location.

The land shares a border with the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative at 60 Morgan St North Geelong.

Mr Aitken said the land would be incorporated into a redevelopment of the Co-operative’s facilities, subject to the obtaining of a planning permit to redevelop the land.

“They have a $50m redevelopment project proposed for that site location, of which $40m is set aside to build a new community hub and initiative headquarters, and $10m for future space for young children,” Mr Aitken said.

“This land that council is selling them, with the existing land they have, they wish to create a culturally safe space, a culturally significant space in Geelong, and importantly, they wish to return what is currently industrial heartland in the northern suburbs, back into indigenous heartland for the community they represent.

“It will become a showcase, not just for the northern suburbs, it will be a showcase for the rest of Australia in terms of how you work with your local indigenous community to actually celebrate their past and ensure their future.”

It is understood plans for the redevelopment will be submitted to council later this year.

The block of land is currently public open space, which includes a shared pathway.

Councillor Sarah Hathway said the proposal would see the shared pathway remain on city owned land within the road reserve.

“The City is proposing to sell only a 5,000m² section of the site,” Ms Hathaway said.

“Any contract of sale would be subject to the land being rezoned.”

According to council, the planned development would help the Co-operative centralise its services.

The Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative requires additional land to achieve this goal.

The proposed sale went to community engagement in April, feedback will be taken into account on Tuesday evening

Originally published as Council approve sale of Norlane land to Aboriginal Co-op with $50m redevelopment planned