St Leonards wants promised facilities before land sale

THE City of Greater Geelong is looking to sell of a parcel of vacant and “under-utilised” land in St Leonards, but locals are pushing back against the proposal.

The site, located at 36 Dudley Parade, is one of six proposed land sales across the municipality, as the council looks to drive down its debt over the next four years.

It previously served as home to the St Leonards CFA, which relocated to Murradoc Road in 2023, and the large shed that once sat on the site was removed after being deemed unsuitable for other purposes. Its sale is expected to generate $900,000.

According to the city, each of the properties tapped for disposal are “surplus to council’s operational needs” and are “not required for current or future service delivery”.

“We want to ensure the community has a voice in how council-managed land is used or repurposed,” Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj said of the proposed land sales.

“By reviewing under-utilised sites, we can better focus resources on maintaining and improving the spaces that are actively used and valued by the community.”

But St Leonards Community Care, led by Jenny Knox and Malcolm Fisher, are among the local groups raising concerns about the loss of the land as the wait continues for an early learning and community centre to be established within the township.

At present, St Leonards has no childcare facilities for its growing population, with locals having to travel to Drysdale or Portarlington to access these services.

The community centre was promised to the township in 2016, with the funds to be raised through contributions from local land developers as part of section 173 agreements, a financial burden passed onto those who bought into St Leonards growth areas one and two.

Under these agreements, a contribution of more than $2.5 million is expected, with development in these growth areas still underway.

While the St Leonards community recognise the site at Dudley Parade is not large enough to house the early learning and community centre, they are calling on the city to guarantee its build before selling off the land.

“We purchased our land in 2019, we made a contribution to this fund and there is no movement. So, in the sale of that Dudley Parade land, there is no benefit for the St Leonards community. In fact, we lose an asset,” Jenny Knox said.

“Let’s build our early learning community centre before we lose that asset. There are a lot of improvements that can be made in St Leonards. A community centre that benefits all segments of our small community would be really beneficial.”

The city has been contacted for comment.

To provide feedback on the proposed land sales before 5pm on July 20, head to yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au