Industrial boost planned for north Corio

A 13-LOT subdivision now on public exhibition aims to revitalize Corio’s industrial precinct.

Developers have lodged plans with the City of Greater Geelong for a block at Heales Road and O’Briens Road, north of the Geelong Ring Road near the Beckley Park racing centre.

The allotments range between 1-1.2 hectares each, which is well below the minimum lot size allowed in the area of 5 hectares under the city’s planning guidelines.

But planners argue that there is strong market demand for smaller industrial lots, and pointed to the popularity of recent small-scale subdivisions elsewhere in the precinct.

“This demand is particularly evident from the take up of lots directly south and south west of the subject site within the Enterprise Drive and Success Way subdivisons (between 2018-21) where the lots primarily range between 0.4-1 ha,” planning documents stated.

Proponents also said the proposed design would draw inspiration from Torquay’s West Coast Business Park as an exemplar of a modern, boutique industrial development.

“A similar industrial precinct has been delivered with great design quality focusing in the building articulation with the street level, landscaping treatment and vegetation in local streets and building front setbacks, significant tree planting cover, efficient car parking areas with clear visibility and separation between people and cycling from heavy vehicular movement.

“The example… shows the West Coast Business Park, Torquay, where landscaping, building design and facade articulation have been used to ensure consistent, and high-quality treatments are present and visible from the street.”