Council rejects state blame over Geelong housing plan delays

THE City of Greater Geelong has rejected claims it is responsible for delays after the state government took over planning for four major housing growth areas.

Premier Jacinta Allan announced on Thursday the Department of Transport and Planning would assume responsibility for precinct structure plans for Batesford North, Batesford South, McCanns Lane/Merrawarp Road and Heales Road East, saying the council had failed to deliver key planning documents.

Planning minister Sonya Kilkenny said the plans had been with the city since 2020 and were due to be submitted for government approval in 2023, but no paperwork had been received.

But deputy mayor Eddy Kontelj said suggestions the city was responsible for the delays were "simply not accurate" and the council had not been made aware of any formal concerns raised by the state.

The city was informed of the takeover on Thursday morning.

"I welcome any effort that helps deliver more housing for Geelong, but it’s important to set the record straight," Cr Kontelj said.

"The City of Greater Geelong has been working diligently for many years to plan for growth, and at no stage has the state government formally raised concerns with us that council was failing to progress this work appropriately.

“The reality is that a number of these projects have faced delays outside council’s control, including state government approval processes, environmental assessments and delayed responses on key matters required to move precinct planning forward.”

The city said Batesford South and Heales Road East were long-term growth areas under a state-approved sequencing plan and were not scheduled to commence for several years.

The minister’s office was contacted for comment.

Cr Kontelj said the council had been working “diligently” to plan for growth with the city delivering 12 precincts over the past decade.

The state will take over Batesford North, Batesford South, McCanns Lane/Merrawarp Road and Heales Road East, while the city retains responsibility for three precinct structure plans already underway.

The city claims two of these projects -Batesford South and Heales Road East- are not delayed but long-term projects that would be premature to have commenced precinct structure plans for.

In 2022 council endorsed a precinct structure plan for 2023/24 which included the Batesford North plan, however alternate plans were later deemed to be higher priority.

In November 2025, the city sought state support on the Batesford North, plan due to already having three active plans. It did not receive a response until Thursday morning when the premier made her announcement.

Two of the precincts retained by the city have been delayed due to ministerial process and the discovery of an endangered species.

The Creamery Road plan is expected to be submitted for approval before the election caretaker period in October 2026 following a Standing Advisory Committee report.

While the Elcho Road East plan is in the final draft stage and is expected to be completed in early 2028. It will go to council by early 2027 for a resolution to seek state consent to exhibit a planning scheme amendment.

Cr Kontelj said the city will work with the state government moving forward.

“Our priority has always been the same, delivering the housing, infrastructure and long term planning our growing community needs,” he said.