Locals object to Portarlington town house proposal

PORTARLNGTON residents are campaigning against a proposal for five three-storey buildings on the corner of Park and Stevens streets.

The residents, who recently met with Bellarine Ward councillors, believe the dwellings proposed  at 8 Park Street are completely at odds with the established neighbourhood character and the planning scheme objectives set by the City of Greater Geelong.

Peninsula Planning Consultants Pty Ltd submitted a planning application with council earlier this year to build the five town houses, as well as requesting a reduction to the standard car parking requirement.

Local resident Gordana Donnan said residents were shocked when they received a communication from the City of Greater Geelong notifying them of the developer’s plans.

The local residents recently met with Bellarine Ward councillors to discuss the impact of the Increased Housing Diversity Areas (IHDA) policy for the Residential Growth Zone (RGZ3) in Portarlington.

This zoning covers a wide residential area of Portarlington – from Sproat Street in the west to Gellibrand in the east, Newcombe Street in the north and Langdon Street in the south.

Ms Donnan said she feared if the application was approved, it would change the character and lifestyle of Portarlington forever.

“The significant implication for residents of Portarlington is if this developer’s application is successful, it will set the precedence for similar applications for three story dwellings in inappropriate locations across the township,” Ms Donnan said.

“Portarlington is a small coastal village with people retiring to the town seeking a quiet, relaxed lifestyle, they did not anticipate three story townhouses being constructed next to their
retirement home.

“Over 30 per cent of the population is aged 65 years and over – double the state average of 14 percent for that age group.

“The majority of residential dwellings in the town are either one or two storey detached dwellings.”

Ms Donnan said according to a Greater Geelong Planning Scheme document clause 22.63 about Increased Housing Diversity Areas (IHDA), it states “the intensity of redevelopment will be highest around the activity centre core (town centre) and lower at the edge of the IHDA”.

Public comment closed on August 25.