Residents prepare to fight expansion of Balmoral Quay development

Rippleside residents are gearing up for a fight over plans to significantly increase the size of a major residential development, saying it’s “simply too big”.

Rippleside residents Julie Hannan-Smith and Peter Jager in front of the stage 5 building siter of Balmoral Quay. Picture: Brad Fleet

Rippleside residents are gearing up for a fight over plans to significantly increase the size of a major residential development.

Public submissions open this week regarding a revised plan for stage five of the Balmoral Quay development at Harbourside Drive, Rippleside.

Developers have sought council approval for a seven-storey, 84 apartment and 136 carpark complex that, if approved, would be more than 10m above current height guidelines.

A permit for a four-storey building was approved for stage five in 2005.

The City of Greater Geelong has prepared a planning scheme amendment which would allow for the height increase.

Rippleside resident Peter Jager said he was one of many locals opposed to the revised plans.

“I have major concerns, but I want to make it clear I am not opposed to the (stage five) development, just the extent of it … stage five is simply too big,” he said.

Stages one through four of Balmoral Quay comprise a total of 104 apartments and townhouses, with the first two complete and stages three and four due to be finished at the end of this year.

A map outlining Balmoral Quay stages.

Mr Jager, who is a leading voice among a Facebook group dedicated to opposing the state five amendment, said significant traffic issues would arise if council approved the changes.

“There are no traffic counter results of current flows in Liverpool or Balmoral streets from stages one and two, no predictions of flow increases from stages three and four, nor predictions from stage five for traffic access or egress to and from the development site,” he said.

“Will the give way sign on the corner of Liverpool Street and the highway need to become traffic lights?

“And the construction of an all-inclusive playground in Rippleside Park, which I’m in favour of, will bring a lot more people to the area – where are they going to park and what will be the impact on traffic?”

Backing Mr Jager’s stance, Julie Hannan-Smith said carparking, living density, height and safe park access were residents’ key concerns currently.

“There’s a collision of priorities and competition for carparking which is worsening given stage three and four, given trade workers and given it’s a designated overflow carpark for the CBD,” Ms Hannan-Smith said.

“Where do residents and their visitors park?”

Balmoral Quay director Theo Axarlis said the proposed on-site infrastructure accommodated all necessary traffic and parking needs associated with stage five.

“All relevant authorities who govern traffic have accepted that the application complies with traffic management requirements,” Mr Axarlis said.

The amendment prepared by council is on public exhibition on the City of Greater Geelong’s website until September 25, alongside planning documents.

Originally published as Residents prepare to fight expansion of Balmoral Quay development