Council hesitates on Lovely Banks growth plan

FURTHER planning for Geelong’s Northern and Western Growth Areas has stalled while councillors consider community feedback on proposed precinct structure plans (PSPs).

City of Greater Geelong councillors have deferred a decision until next month on the precinct structure planning program for future residential areas at Lovely Banks and Batesford after they had been recommended to approve a four-year strategy at this week’s meeting.

The city is developing PSPs for sections of the growth area that is expected to house more than 100,000 residents once fully developed as a major part of the city’s medium-term growth.

Windermere Ward councillor Kylie Gryzbek was the lone councillor to speak on the matter as she pushed for the delay.

“While council officers opened early dialogue with the development community, there are still some concerns and questions that I’m being spoken to about on the proposed precinct structure planning program.

“My hope is that at this point we should be rescheduled for the December meeting, which is only there weeks away. We want to make the right decision for Geelong, and I feel that’s the best outcome at this point.”

Cr Gryzbek’s call was unanimously supported on Tuesday night. The decision is due to return at the next meeting on December 13.

Planning officers had recommended preparing three PSPs during 2023/24, with at least two more to come in 2025/26.

The city also said it would push for three more PSPs to start in 2025, subject to securing funding and designs for critical transport infrastructure in the area.

The city is due to present the first PSPs for the area next year; with Creamery Road Precinct due in the first half, and Elcho Road East due in the second half of 2023.