Final tick for Saleyards housing plan

DEVELOPERS may now submit plans for new housing projects at the former Geelong Saleyards site after approval of a new planning scheme for the site.

The state government has ticked off changes the City of Greater Geelong submitted earlier this year, paving the way for development of the site.

The North Geelong site is seen as one of the city’s best residential development sites due to its central location and lack of existing infrastructure, with the site earmarked for multi-storey projects that will eventually be home to up to 1,300 people.

Under the new planning scheme, building heights of up to 10 storeys will be allowed, subject to individual applications, as the city aims to facilitate a mixed-use high density precinct.

The development plan also includes four hectares of open space, a public plaza with 1,800sqm of retail area geared towards outdoor dining, and would retain historical elements of the former saleyards site like bluestone buildings repurposed as picnic shelters.

Its approval marks the end of a long planning process set in motion in 2017 when the city opted to permanently close sheep and cattle sales at the site.

Councillors welcomed the planning progress during their last discussion of the matter in April.

“This is a good news story for the council, this has been a long time coming,” Cr Peter Murrihy said.

“Whenever there’s a proposal to introduce diverse and affordable housing into a suburb it’s difficult because of the pushback you get from residents and users,” Cr Eddy Kontelj said.

“If we gets this right, it ticks a lot of boxes that will support existing businesses and create others.”