The City of Greater Geelong council has deferred a decision on an industrial subdivision in a Corio employment precinct after WorkSafe changed its mind on the application hours before a planning meeting.<\/p>\n
The council was due to rule on a proposed 14-lot subdivision at Heales Road Corio, north of the Geelong Ring Road, on Thursday last week.<\/p>\n
But the workplace safety authority provided new advice that afternoon that supported the project, causing councillors to baulk at a final call.<\/p>\n
WorkSafe had previously indicated the project provided too great of a risk due to the nearby Viva Energy LPG terminal and gas transmission line, which is classed as a major hazard facility.<\/p>\n
That advice had partly justified the city’s recommendation to refuse a permit.<\/p>\n
Viva was also considering withdrawing its objection, according to the subdivision’s applicant, who said they had been in discussions with the energy company.<\/p>\n
Proponents first lodged their application in December 2021, but their wait for a decision will now continue.<\/p>\n
The city’s officers stood by their stance against the proposal despite the new advice, citing its inconsistency with employment growth strategies and engineering concerns.<\/p>\n
The subdivision of a 14.9-hectare site would create lots of just over one hectare in the Geelong Ring Road Employment Precinct (GREP).<\/p>\n
The GREP is geared towards attracting larger developments of regional and national significance for the precinct that enjoys close access to transport routes.<\/p>\n
Council officers also said stormwater management had been inadequately assessed.<\/p>\n
Councillors had indicated they would likely back the proposal despite the officers’ recommendation during debate.<\/p>\n
Cr Ron Nelson said he supported greater diversity of commercial properties to encourage business development in the area.<\/p>\n
“If the land was needed it would have been sold and developed already. It’s been out there for longer than I’ve been a councillor.<\/p>\n
“There’s a lot of vacant land out there. We need to encourage business and encourage jobs.”<\/p>\n
Cr Bruce Harwood agreed: “I see this as an opportunity for the region and the city. I’m not convinced out strategy is working in the GREP for moving property out there”.<\/p>\n
“[We’ve heard] the take up would be relatively swift to create economic stimulus, which is what the GREP is designed to do.”<\/p>\n
Cr Jim Mason had moved to accept the officer’s recommendation of a refusal, which was supported by Cr Melissa Cadwell, but ultimately defeated 4-2.<\/p>\n
An alternate motion to defer a decision to consider new WorkSafe advice then passed unanimously.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The City of Greater Geelong council has deferred a decision on an industrial subdivision in a Corio employment precinct after WorkSafe changed its mind on the application hours before a planning meeting. The council was due to rule on a proposed 14-lot subdivision at Heales Road Corio, north of the Geelong Ring Road, on Thursday […]<\/p>\n