Council approves Wandana Heights housing project

A 55-home development at Wandana Heights will go ahead after Geelong council’s planning committee gave conditional approval to the plan.

Councillors unanimously green-lit the proposal at its most recent council meeting following a two-hour hearing of submissions from developers, objectors and council officers.

The plan at 6 Greenway Court will create an “owner’s corporation-style”, medium-density development of townhouses and apartments.

The new residences would range from 24 two-bedroom dwellings in a two-storey apartment block and a combination of one and two-storey homes of primarily three bedrooms.

Community members lodged 91 objections to the proposal during its public notice period, and several speakers made their thoughts known to councillors at last month’s meeting.

Concerns primarily centred around fears of overdevelopment and impacts to traffic and neighbourhood character, increased flooding risk following development of the present stormwater runoff site, and the property’s treatment compared with nearby properties that can’t be subdivided due to restrictive covenants.

But councillors sided with an officer’s recommendation that focused on the need for more housing stock in the rapidly growing city and mitigating resdients’ issues through permit conditions.

“We have a responsibility to be able to comply with the authorities and provide those types of houses, and I believe this is a perfect example of that,” Cr Peter Murrihy said.

“I understand the objections and understand why, but if a a project like this complies [with the planning scheme] I believe we should tick it off.”

Cr Melissa Cadwell added that she believed the site was well located for a medium-density development.

“I also feel that this does actually address some of the existing needs in our community to provide medium density, mixed use housing in existing residential areas.

“It’s certainly providing affordable housing to meet the varying needs of our community and has some highly attractive options.”