Objectors speak out against Lara high-rise plan

MORE than 100 community members have had their say on a proposed four-storey commercial development opposite Lara station.

Traffic impacts, reduction in parking at the busy strip and loss of neighbourhood character are among the key concerns that residents raised during public submissions on the plan last month.

Developers lodged plans for a $4.3-million mixed use building at 26 Hicks Street that were publicly advertised during December and January.

The project would include early childhood education care trainer the Riverdale Institute and two yet-to-be-confirmed tenancies in office spaces.

But local groups were unconvinced by the plans, with The Lara Care Group (TLC) among 105 submitters to share their views during the consultancy period.

TLC president Barry White said the development was in a “totally inappropriate location”.

“[Our objection is] fundamentally around the issues of traffic and parking and congestion given where it’s located, which of course is directly opposite the rail or the rail station,” Mr White said. “In future you’ll even be more congested because of the developments taking place in the west of Lara where people are going to come to the station to catch the train.”

The City of Greater Geelong’s Lara Traffic Management Study from 2019 found that a lack of car parking at the station and overflow creating hazards at Hicks Street and amenity issues at other surrounding streets.

A Department of Transport study found that Lara station would require an additional 1,200 parks by 2041 to meet existing demand.

Impacts on neighbourhood character is also a key concern among objectors, who indicated the high building would clash with nearby houses and small-scale businesses.

“It might be a good idea in new developments in the west of Lara or out in the Ring Road Employment Precinct where a four-storey building might not be out of place, but it’s certainly out of place in Hicks Street,” Mr White said.

The volume of submissions means the project is set to go before a city planning committee meeting to decide whether the council gives its approval.