Questions asked about Balmoral Quay development

DEVELOPERS of Balmoral Quay have celebrated their efforts to rejuvenate the Rippleside foreshore with the completion of four of the five stages of a development project, but not everyone is happy.

Balmoral Quay development director Theo Axarlis said it was fulfilling to witness the realisation of their years of dedication to creating the perfect bay lifestyle.

“Our residents have a distinctive vantage point to truly savour the waterfront, enjoying a laid-back bayside lifestyle while also being connected to the increasingly vibrant city centre.

“As Geelong’s only absolute waterfront living, Balmoral Quay is in a league of its own and a sight to behold.”

With stages one to four complete, stage five of the project is being planned.

In late April, an independent planning panel considered the stage five application from the developer, who sought to nearly double the height of the previously approved four-storey building.

City of Greater Geelong councillors faced scrutiny over the proposed stage five apartment block at Balmoral Quay during their council meeting on Tuesday this week.

“Overall, the planning committee seems to endorse the developer proposal, to not only construct an apartment tower of seven storeys, at over 28 metres, but reduce onsite carparking despite an increase in the number of apartments,” resident Julie Hannon-Smith said.

She noted that the Rippleside community strongly opposed the development, with 173 submissions to the panel report, including one group submission with 419 signatories.

Ms Hannon-Smith questioned whether the apartments would meet Geelong’s need for affordable housing, as prices are expected to range from $800,000 to more than $2 million.

“You, as democratically elected councillors, will need to decide whether to accept or reject the panel proposals,” she said.

“You have the power to say no to this overdevelopment, and I urge you to do so.”

She cited community infrastructure problems that accompany overdevelopment, including parking, traffic, and road safety issues.

“On behalf of local residents, I invite you to come and meet with us on site if you haven’t already done so and personally review the issues of this site with us,” she said.

Stage five, the subject of the present amendment and planning permit application, seeks to revise height limits and other guidelines to allow for a seven-storey mixed-use building with 84 dwellings and reduced car parking requirements.

The panel report acknowledged concerns about height, built form, off-site amenity impacts, overshadowing, loss of views, access, traffic, and parking.

However, the panel found that, subject to recommended conditions, the proposed development represented an acceptable town planning outcome that balanced urban design, view sharing, planning, and traffic considerations.

The panel recommended adopting the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme Amendment and granting the planning permit with conditions.