Residents fighting townhouse proposal launch protest group

PORTARLNGTON residents campaigning against a proposal for five three-storey townhouses have launched a new action group.

The residents, who met at the weekend to consider the community impact of the proposed dwellings at 8 Park Street, are now known as the Park Street Development Protest Group.

Almost 30 residents attended a meeting at Parks Hall on Saturday. They all believe the proposal is an overdevelopment on a 711sqm block and because of the height of the proposed dwellings they will intrude over a wide area of the neighbourhood.

Local Bev Shepherd said the number of objections received by the City of Greater Geelong indicated the planning application was of concern to many Portarlington residents.

“Reports were presented on anticipated timelines for the process of this application by the Planning Department, a Development Hearing Panel and possibly a VCAT hearing,” Ms Shepherd said.

“So often we hear new residents say they have chosen to retire to the coastal towns on the Bellarine for their quiet lifestyle and village characteristics.

“To be faced with the likelihood of three-storey dwellings being constructed on their doorstep is confronting and totally unexpected.”

Ms Shepherd said as a result of Saturday’s meeting, it was decided to formalise the Park Street Development Protest Group by electing office bearers, opening a bank account and setting a budget to secure funding to support the engagement of professional resource people should they be required.

“These decisions raised a significant question for residents on the Bellarine Peninsula who may also be faced with similar planning applications in the future,” she said.

“How do individuals and communities navigate the complex issues arising from these applications?

“What resources are there in their local communities to assist them to take appropriate and often costly action?

“Should consideration be given to the establishment of a Bellarine Town Planning Resource Group?”

Ms Shepherd invited others to support the Park Street Development Protest Group by submitting objections to the proposal until the date of the Development Hearing has been set.

Planning Application Reference PP-129-2018. City of Greater Geelong City Development Office, 100 Brougham Street, Geelong, or by email [email protected].

To contact the Park Street Group, phone Bev Shepherd on 0418 571 199.