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<\/p>\nNORLANE Community Initiatives (NCI) is seeking planning permission for an expansion of its community services.<\/p>\n
The neighbourhood non-profit has temporarily moved from its home at Spruhan Avenue, Norlane while it works with the City of Greater Geelong on a planning change to allow a redevelopment of its home.<\/p>\n
The site is owned by the Baptist Union of Victoria, and would require the city to remove restrictive covenants applied to the site and change its land use from a place of worship to a more general place of assembly.<\/p>\n
Current planning rules only allow one dwelling to built on the site, which would prevent NCI’s proposed expansion.<\/p>\n
The community group wants to build a single-storey extension with a car park, pergola, children’s play area and water tanks to support its range of support initiatives, which include neighbourhood meals, a community pantry, craft and gardening groups, and Sunday congregation services.<\/p>\n
The city said its proposed changes “intended to facilitate certainty for NCI’s operations and the local community, without detracting from the character of the area”.<\/p>\n
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Windermere Ward councillor Anthony Aitken, who represents the Norlane community, said he was confident the change would be a win for all community members if approved.<\/p>\n
“Norlane Community Initiatives is a local self-help community organisation and this proposed planning amendment will enable it to continue delivery of its unique model,” Cr Aitken said.<\/p>\n
“I congratulate the City Planning Officers for developing a clever and creative amendment which will support Norlane Community Initiatives and ultimately benefit the broader Norlane community if adopted.”<\/p>\n
Geelong mayor Peter Murrihy said the council would notify affected landholders and occupiers of the idea and encouraged resident to have their say.<\/p>\n
“I encourage community members to read through the proposed amendment and planning permit when they’re exhibited for four weeks and make a submission,” he said.<\/p>\n
The city indicated it would prepare and exhibit a proposed planning scheme amendment that would enable the changes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
NORLANE Community Initiatives (NCI) is seeking planning permission for an expansion of its community services. The neighbourhood non-profit has temporarily moved from its home at Spruhan Avenue, Norlane while it works with the City of Greater Geelong on a planning change to allow a redevelopment of its home. The site is owned by the Baptist […]<\/p>\n