American truck maker targets Geelong

A UNITED States ute manufacturer is planning to set up shop in Geelong with a new dealership in Geelong West.

RAM has applied to convert 5-7 Pakington Street into a car sales site and would build illuminated business signs under a planning permit application now being advertised by the City of Greater Geelong.

It would be the manufacturer’s first foray into Geelong, with dealers already established at Footscray, Ballarat and Warrnambool as the nearest to the city.

The property at the far northern end of Pakington Street has an existing building that has previously been used as a fresh food store. It also falls under the city’s proposed Pakington Street North Urban Development Framework (UDF).

An interim report from 2021 earmarks the site and its surrounds for commercial use.

Community concerns with the UDF have primarily centered around building heights and traffic impacts.

No increase to building height is proposed in the application, and it argues its traffic impact would be “negligible”.

“The proposal represents a contemporary form which is respectful of the existing character of buildings within the Sturt Street Heritage Precinct whilst maintaining the heritage façades of Sturt Street buildings,” planning documents stated.

“The proposal will provide a high level of internal amenity for future occupants.

“No unreasonable amenity impacts will occur to any of the surrounding properties as a result of the activities.”

Submissions on the proposal close on June 10.