Rezone plan with Minister

VICTORIA’S Planning Minister is considering a large-scale rezone plan to create hundreds more housing lots at Leopold.

The City of Greater Geelong has submitted its plan to rezone five adjacent farming blocks, totalling 29 hectares, at Ash Road for residential use, after endorsing plans in April.

Plans adopted by council earlier this year include a subdivision application for the two largest lots to become 196 residential housing lots, with an average lot size of 490 square metres.

The amendment also requires property owners to contribute $40,000 per net developable hectare towards community infrastructure, including road upgrades, open space, and drainage.

Developers must also set aside five per cent of total dwellings at the site for social housing, which COGG proposes to offer to housing associations at a 25-per-cent discount of market rate.

Planning Minster Lizzie Blandthorn will make the final call on the project, after receiving COGG’s proposal and evidence late last month.

The proposed amendment was subject to hearings and review from a state planning panel late last year, which found the plan was consistent with a decade-old Leopold Structure Plan.

The panel heard concerns regarding stormwater, impacts on Lake Conewarre and the surrounding area, and the extend and form of future residential development.

It recommended COGG approve the amendment, with minor changes for greater drainage capacity at the northernmost property.

Last week, COGG also sent in plans to rezone land at Melaluka Road, Leopold and at Lovely Banks following last month’s council meeting.