City to rezone land for proposed Leopold subdivision

FIVE neighbouring farms in Leopold will be rezoned for residential housing under a proposed planning amendment and permit application to the City of Greater Geelong council.
At their September 8 meeting, councillors approved the preparation and public exhibition of Amendment C391ggee and Planning Permit 39/2019.
The two documents would see the five separately owned farming properties on Ash Road rezoned to General Residential Zone 1, with an accompanying Design and Development Overlay.
The rezoning would apply to all five properties, while the planning permit would only apply to two of the larger, centrally located properties. These two properties would have capacity for about 195 residential lots.
The report considered by councillors noted development of the land as a residential area is in line with the 2013 Leopold Structure Plan.
It is also consistent with the 2016 South East Leopold Framework Plan, which specifically covers 80 hectares south of the Bellarine Highway between Ash Road and Mollers Lane. Land on the Mollers Lane side of the area was rezoned earlier this year.
The report notes the proposed development may require a separate application to the federal government, as stormwater drainage would flow into Lake Connewarre to the south and require careful management.
The proposed amendment and planning permit are expected to be open for community feedback late in 2020 or early in 2021.
“Development on the Bellarine has been a hot topic for some time now, but Leopold residents I’ve spoken to so far regarding this subdivision have been positive about it,” chair of the planning portfolio Cr Trent Sullivan said.
“A final decision will be made by the Council at a later date, once all community feedback has been received and considered.”
The council has also resolved to prepare a section 173 agreement, which would ensure delivery of key infrastructure such as open space and drainage reserves, and developer contributions for community infrastructure, should the plans ultimately gain approval.