PLANNING PROGRESS: Marshall plan progresses, north-west development stalls

A PLANNING framework to deliver higher density housing in suburban Geelong has City of Greater Geelong approval, but strategies for future greenfield areas have run into delays.

The city adopted the Marshall Precinct Structure Plan (PSP), which the council said would create a new attractive neighbourhood just seven kilometres from central Geelong, at this week’s meeting.

The subject land is east of the Marshall Train Station and bounded by Barwon Heads Road and the future Bellarine Link Road. Marshall is part of the Armstrong Creek Urban Growth Plan, covering 123 hectares and set to host more than 1,500 residential properties once developed.

The city amended a draft PSP released in 2019, addressing stormwater drainage strategies.

Cr Jim Mason said the development plan would provide much-needed housing stock near public transport link for Geelong.

“Marshall Station Precinct, a greenfield location, will be the focal point of the local community where this mixed-use precinct are close to Geelong will provide new ways to live, work and travel through the delivery of a dense cluster of medium to high density residential housing integrated with retail and commercial activity.

“It will also reflect housing diversity, social and affordable housing, delivery of open space and active transport best practises in biodiversity, environmentally sustainable design and the circular economy tree canopy, native vegetation and green spaces.

“The higher density accommodation close to Marshall Police Station will transition from rural, semi-rural and public utility land within the Marshall precinct and into an attractive, livable, sustainable integrated urban environment.”

The city would also add a urban growth overlay to the area under its plan, which would likely be publicly exhibited by early next year before becoming planning law.

Developer contributions for community infrastructure will total $68.7 million.

Meanwhile, this week’s meeting also revealed that progress on plans for the Northern and Western Geelong Growth Areas (NWGGA) is slower than anticipated.

A quarterly update to the city’s Community Plan 2021-25 said that preparation of the Creamery Road and Elcho Road East PSPs were “off-track”.

“The draft precinct structure plan for Elcho Road will go to consultation with government agencies in late 2023 due to delays with the drainage network design,” a council report stated.

“Engagement on the Creamery Road development contributions plan has concluded and changes to the future urban structure and infrastructure designs are currently being prepared.”

Late last year, the city indicated it would present its Creamery Road plan to the council in early 2023, with Elcho Road East due for consideration in the second half of this year.

The precincts are the first of several that will form the NWGGA at Lovely Banks and Batesford, which will accommodate most of the city’s greenfield development in the coming years.

The area would be home to about 110,000 residents once developed.