Geelong council greenlights zoning changes to make way for Bellarine residential expansion

Geelong council will launch a process to make way for hundreds of new homes on the Bellarine Peninsula.

More than 1700 new homes are set to be built on the cusp of a Bellarine protected settlement boundary, as the city launchesa process to rezone 1.5sq km of land for residential development.

Councillors on Tuesday unanimously voted to prepare and exhibit a planning scheme amendment to rezone the ‘Jetty Road Urban Growth Area Stage 2’ land in Curlewis from Rural Living and Farming to General Residential.

The rezoning of the land to pave the way for residential development follows the completed “build out” of Stage 1 of the growtharea, comprising more than 1700 house lots.

A city report noted the rezoning would allow developers to deliver “a similar or greater number of dwellings as Stage 1”.

Bellarine Ward Councillor Trent Sullivan said the rezoning of the land would help bring development of the area to the sternedge of the Drysdale-Clifton Springs protected settlement boundary.

“Often we Bellarine Ward councillors have noted in the past it’s been a shame the Bellarine was identified for such growthmany, many years ago, hindsight is 20-20,” Cr Sullivan said.

“We’re very much looking forward to this being the last development stage here, and therefore that will bring our town boundariesto fulfilment for this region.”

A city report noted the land had been long earmarked for residential growth, was designated for rezoning to facilitate conventionaland medium density residential use,

Bellarine Ward councillor Jim Mason said it was “important to note” the area was identified in the State Government Distinctive Areas and Landscapes Draft Bellarine Peninsula Statement of Planning Policy.

“The time has come to further allow orderly development,” Cr Mason said.

A council report signalled the city would ensure the delivery of the second stage of the Jetty Road growth area improved onthe delivery of the first stage.

“With the construction of Jetty Road Stage 1 there are also lessons learnt, such as improving housing diversity, managementof stormwater drainage and outfall, and the efficient delivery of Tivoli Drive and Greenvale Drive,” the report noted.

The report recommended the city release its proposed planning scheme amendment in the second half of 2022 for public exhibition.

EARLIER

Geelong council is poised to launch a process to rezone 1.5sq km of land on the Bellarine Peninsula to make way for more than 1700 new housing lots on the edge of a protected settlement boundary.

Councillors will meet on Tuesday to vote on a recommendation to prepare and exhibit a planning scheme amendment to rezone the ‘Jetty Road Urban Growth Area Stage 2’ land in Curlewis from Rural Living and Farming to General Residential.

The 1.5sq km of land, containing 20 individual land titles, is up for rezoning following the completed “build out” of ‘Jetty Road Urban Growth Area Stage 1’, comprising more than 1700 house lots, associated infrastructure, the Bayview Central Shopping Centre and new Griggs Creek and foreshore public open space.

A report released by the city noted the land had been long earmarked for residential growth, was designated for rezoning to facilitate conventional and medium density residential use, and would deliver “a similar or greater number of dwellings as Stage 1’.

“There is a long established history and planning context to the Jetty Road Urban Growth Area,” the report noted. “As far back as 1983, the area was identified for long term future growth in the Drysdale/Clifton Springs Structure Plan prepared by the Geelong Regional Commission.”

“The land is also identified in the State Government Distinctive Areas and Landscapes Draft Bellarine Peninsula Statement of Planning Policy as ‘growth areas Because the land is in fragmented ownership, the rezoning is supported by planning controls to require the form of future use and development to be shown on a plan, and for the levying of developer contributions to deliver shared infrastructure.

“The planning controls will be structured to require early developer delivery of Tivoli Drive and Greenvale Drive north of the Bellarine Rail Trail as one single construction project.”

The report also signalled the city would ensure the delivery of the second stage of the Jetty Road growth area improved on the delivery of the first stage.

“With the construction of Jetty Road Stage 1 there are also lessons learnt, such as improving housing diversity, management of stormwater drainage and outfall, and the efficient delivery of Tivoli Drive and Greenvale Drive,” the report noted.

The report recommended the city release its proposed planning scheme amendment in the second half of 2022 for public exhibition.

Originally published as Geelong council greenlights zoning changes to make way for Bellarine residential expansion