LINE CALL: Developers look inside town boundary for Drysdale housing

CITY of Greater Geelong councillors have unanimously backed a proposed planning amendment that would rezone Drysdale farming properties for a development of close to 200 houses.

A 17-hecatre area in the town’s south-east bound by Huntington Street, Princess Street and the Drysdale Bypass would be rezoned to general residential with development overlays under the amendment.

The change affects 12 properties, two of which state road authorities own near the bypass. The remaining 10 properties would be subdivided for an expected yield of 192 housing lots of various sizes.

Development plans also include open space areas co-located with a drainage basin aimed at complimenting use of the nearby Bellarine Rail Trail as an active transport and recreation link.

The city has also indicated it would negotiate a social and affordable housing contribution from landowners, but did not provide a figure about how much in a report presented at August’s council meeting.

The subject properties are all on the northern side of the Drysdale Bypass, which is considered an appropriate area to continue residential growth under the recently legislated Bellarine Distinctive Area and Landscapes (DAL) planning policy.

The land is among the last remaining development sites within the Drysdale town boundary as outlined in the DAL and the city’s Drysdale Clifton Springs Structure Plan.

Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan was the only Bellarine Ward councillor at last week’s meeting, and said the development was necessary to prevent further urban sprawl outside the Drysdale town boundary.

“We all know how precious our green breaks on the Bellarine are.

“A lot of work has gone into protecting these town boundaries and green breaks, not only at a council level by the enforcement of distinctive areas and landscapes by the state government.

“Part of the trade-off of protecting the green breaks and our town boundaries is that we do change from outfill greenfield to infill [development] in our town boundaries.

“This has been a longstanding as said, alignment with the strategy of our settlement strategies.”

Cr Bruce Harwood said the change would provide much-needed housing stock.

“I think importantly, this particular opportunity will take a little bit of the pressure off that area, which has had extensive, sprawl in recent years.

“While it’s a small area by, comparison, it still is a step in the right direction about, trying to contain sprawled residential areas in that part of the Bellarine.”

The City of Greater Geelong will prepare a planning amendment and subdivision permit following the resolution.

The documents will include a Cultural Heritage Management Plan and reports addressing traffic, stormwater management and the environment.

Community members will have their chance to make submissions during its public exhibition later this year.