Approval sought for Lara vet plan

LARA could soon have a new vet practice under plans lodged to the City of Greater Geelong.

The city is assessing the plan for the veterinary clinic at 6 Mill Road, Lara, near the recreation reserve and sporting facilities.

The proposal is at the same site as an existing Petstock warehouse and retail business, and intends to expand the site into a one-stop-shop for local pet owners.

The new practice would have enough room for up to four staff providing animal health services and the centre would be open seven days a week; from 9am-6pm Monday to Saturday and 9am-5pm on Sundays.

Application plans indicate that veterinary chain Fur Life Vet, which currently has premises at Torquay North and Highton among other locations across Victoria, would be the tenant of the new facility.

Planners argue the proposal fits a broad range of city policies related to economic development and employment across the region and for the specific location within Geelong.

“The existing restricted retail premises has demonstrated to be an ideal use of the land between the industrial/commercial/service activities and the sensitive uses, with the formalisation of the site being for the proposed land uses enabling the long-term appropriate use of the site given its context within Lara,” planning documents stated.