Third time’s the charm for approved Lara ‘overdevelopment’

Developers of a twice-rejected “overdevelopment” in Geelong’s north have received approval for a revised version of the project from the state’s planning tribunal.

Developers of a twice-rejected “overdevelopment” in Geelong’s north have received approval for a revised version of the project from the state’s planning umpire, after the City of Greater Geelong again failed to make a decision in time.

Oreana Property management was this week granted a planning permit by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) to build 78 new homes in the growing Manzeene Village estate in Lara.

Artists impressions of the original Manzeene Village proposal.

The decision came after VCAT rejected an application for 89 homes on the site in 2020, which Geelong’s northern ward councillors celebrated as a community victory in the face of the $11.2m “overdevelopment” – which received 53 community objections.

But, the City of Greater Geelong has twice failed to make a decision on the planning applications within the required time frame, allowing developers to appeal to VCAT to make a decision, with the latest appeal winning approval for the project.

VCAT member Jane Tait approved the latest application on Wednesday, under the condition the developers remove two dwellings from their proposed 80, resulting in a 78-house development.

“Council argues the revised plans do not go far enough to address Council’s grounds of refusal,” Ms Tait said.

“I acknowledge the density of development is at the higher end, based on the various definitions of density found in the array of strategic policies and reference documents in the planning scheme.

“However, I am persuaded by the applicant’s arguments that the proposal is generally an acceptable outcome for the site due to the variation in lot sizes which will provide a diversity of housing types and choice for future residents.

“Having considered the submissions presented regarding the applicable policies and provisions of the Scheme and assisted by my inspection, I have decided to direct Council to issue a permit subject to a further reduction in the number of dwellings that are shown in the revised plans.”

The accepted plans will almost entirely be made up of single-storey homes attached in groupings of two to five – with most including either two or three-bedrooms.

A City of Greater Geelong report arguing against initial plans for the site noted public “concerns for density of development; lack of response to neighbourhood character; traffic generation and carparking concerns; decline in property value; and concern for future occupant quality”.

Originally published as Third time’s the charm for approved Lara ‘overdevelopment’