Drysdale rezoning decision edges closer

AN INDEPENDENT panel hearing for a planning scheme amendment in Drysdale will now take place across three days in August, with Planning Panels Victoria citing the coronavirus pandemic for the delay.
In December, a decision on the proposed rezoning of 28 Central Road properties in Drysdale was deferred to a later date by City of Greater Geelong councillors to allow more time to consider the amendment.
Councillors then referred the amendment to an independent panel during their January 28 meeting.
Amendment C363 proposes to rezone the land from rural living to residential to allow for the development of more than 500 dwellings.
During the public exhibition process, the council received 71 submissions – of these, 40 were from local residents and Bellarine community groups, as well as two affected land owners, against the amendment.
There were also 21 objections from Marsh Court residents about the proposed Marsh Court Road connection to the new residential estate.
The council also received generally supportive submissions from six affected landowners, including the proponent, Bellarine Springs Retirement Village, and owners on the east side of Central Road with development interests.
The city’s director of planning, design and development Gareth Smith said independent panel hearings were co-ordinated by Planning Panels Victoria (PPV), who determine the hearing schedule.
“The City of Greater Geelong does not run this process. The hearing was originally scheduled to begin on April 6 but was adjourned by PPV due to the Victorian government’s COVID-19 restrictions.”
The panel hearing will now start on August 24 and run for three consecutive days concluding August 26, with all submissions – and the city’s response to the submissions referred to the panel.
The Central Road Drysdale Development Contribution Plan (DCP) has been prepared in support of the amendment, with DCP proposed to become an incorporated document in the planning scheme – legally tying council to the provision of the plan.
The DCP identifies $10 million in new infrastructure including the upgrade of Jetty Road and pedestrian signals, local parks, open space trails and drainage basins, and contribution towards the Drysdale Regional Community and Learning Hub will also apply.
Mr Smith said the new hearing timetable and information about the amendment could be found at geelongaustralia.com.au.