Federal MP joins community in the fight to save semi-rural town

AN INDEPENDENT panel has supported the amendment to facilitate a high density development in Drysdale despite disapproval from the community and local MPs.

Under Amendment C363, the City of Greater Geelong will rezone 28 rural living properties along Central Road to allow for 550 residential dwellings.

An Independent Panel was appointed in February to consider the community submissions. Requested by Council, the panel commenced directions hearings over the space of three months beginning in March before the hearing commenced in late August.

A report was handed down to Council on October 9 this year and was later adopted by the Council during the last meeting of the year.

The Central Road Drysdale Development Plan is expected to cost $7.3 million in new infrastructure including five road projects, two drainage reserves and open space improvements.

Corangamite Labor federal member Libby Coker has called on the city to hold off on developing the rural land until the Distinctive Areas and Landscape report is determined.

“This is totally the wrong decision. It will fundamentally change the landscape of Drysdale,” she said.

Ms Coker believes the decision “disrespected the community” and works against the desires of the town.

“Out of 71 written submissions concerning the plan, 64 objected to the proposal,” she said.

“It’s clear the council did not come to this conclusion with the interests of the community front of mind.”

The State Government declared the Bellarine a Distinctive Area and Landscape last year under the Planning and Environment Act 1987.

Since the pandemic, the next step in drafting the Statement of Planning Policy has been delayed.

The policy aims to balance growth while preserving distinctive features which Ms Coker says could be crucial to overriding the City’s decision to erase the rural ambience of the Drysdale region.

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) continues to work on the policy and is expected to submit a final report in 2021.

“This development, and all others to be considered by the Council on the Bellarine, should be put on hold until DEWLP hands down its Final Statement of Planning Policy,” Ms Coker said.

Mercedes Drummond, head of the Drysdale, Clifton Springs, Curlewis Community Association, said the current structure plan is out of date and needs to be reviewed before development begins.

“There was supposed to be a 10-year review but when we asked Council as to why they did not undertake the review, we were told it would be a waste of ratepayer’s money to double up on the DEWLP report,” Ms Drummond said.

“Therefore, the Council should wait until the state government hands down its final report before making any decisions.”

The council report shows that landowners objected to the amendment on the basis that the destruction of their home was not necessary to create a southern basin.

The panel shared concerns over the uncertainty for the landowners and their future.

“It is the death sentence to someone’s home,” Ms Drummond said.

“The proposal we put forward was for a reduction to 1.2 hectares with large blocks of land, creating less demand for a large basin and meaning that the house could be saved.”

She said the community has maintained that a high-density development proposed by Council contravenes the characteristics of the semi-
rural village.

“The council is not looking at the cumulative impact that is slowly eroding the ambience,” Ms Drummond said.

She said the few semi-rural pockets remaining were referred to as the lungs of the town.

“It is very upsetting for the community, they feel like they should be provided with the opportunity to have the review,” she said.

Geelong mayor Stephanie Asher and deputy mayor Trent Sullivan were among the few councillors who voted against the development of the Drysdale township at the latest council meeting.

Despite this, the council is looking to start work in this area with the official report stating that the structure plan remained current with emerging policy in the Planning Scheme, including the Bellarine Peninsula Localised Planning Statement and the Settlement Strategy.

Councillor and Chair of Strategic Planning Kylie Gryzbek said Council acknowledged the large amount of feedback despite the outcome.

“Council’s satisfied with the Independent Panel’s recommendations and has a number of plans and policies in place tot ensure community concerns are addressed,” Cr Gryzbek said.

“It’s the right time for this amendment, as the development will assist in easing pressure on housing supply on the Bellarine Peninsula and contribute to affordable housing.”

The report said “the subject land is within the town’s settlement boundary, and clearly identified in the Structure Plan for urban growth and rezoning to General Residential Zone.”

The Council believes that it is “unlikely” that anything significant will arise from the Distinctive Areas and Landscapes report that will alter the development.

Bellarine MP Lisa Neville has written to the council urging it to take into account the impending report from DEWLP before considering development proposals.

“I fully support the Distinctive Area Landscapes which, amongst other protections, does focus on protecting local Bellarine town and their semi-rural characteristics, including of course Drysdale,” she said.

“Having worked to support residents and the Drysdale Clifton Springs Curlewis Association on this matter I understand and share their concerns.”

The adopted amendment will be submitted to the Minister for Planning for final approval.