THE City of Greater Geelong has asked the state government to step in and speed up planning for its future housing areas to the north and west of the city.<\/p>\n
The council will request Planning Minister Lizzie Blandthorn to appoint a Standing Advisory Committee (SAC) to consider upcoming precinct plans.<\/p>\n
The Northern and Western Geelong Growth Areas span 5,500 hectares across Batesford and Lovely Banks, and is the largest greenfield project in regional Victoria.<\/p>\n
The city anticipates the area will eventually house 110,000 residents.<\/p>\n
The council’s planning portfolio chair Kylie Gryzbek said the idea of the SAC was to produce timely and consistent decisions.<\/p>\n
“The Standing Advisory Committee will deal with precinct structure plans, development contributions, a biodiversity conservation strategy and any associated draft planning scheme amendments,” Cr Grzybek said.<\/p>\n
“The committee will ensure a carefully managed and coordinated planning and approval process to deliver on our Northern and Western Geelong Growth Areas Framework Plan.”<\/p>\n