GEELONG will be home to about 112,000 new residents by 2050 thanks to council\u2019s commitment to establish two growth areas in the city\u2019s northern and western suburbs.<\/p>\n
In a meeting on Tuesday March 26, councillors voted in favour of the lengthy Northern and Western Growth Areas Framework Plan, which has been in the works since May 2013.<\/p>\n
The document outlines urbanisation plans for both Lovely Banks and Batesford across a total growth area of 5,331 hectares.<\/p>\n
Councillor Anthony Aitken welcomed the unanimous decision, suggesting the move will create exciting opportunities for the region.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is actually the most important decision that a Geelong council will make for the next 30 years,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are actually agreeing to establish a new city the size of Ballarat.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cr Aitken said the Western Growth Area is expected to have a population of around 65,000 and will be about the size of Shepparton.<\/p>\n
He went on to describe the Northern Growth Area as being double the size of Warrnambool.<\/p>\n
After initial plans for the two areas were released for public consultation in May last year, residents living in a rural section near Lovely Banks expressed concerns about potential zoning changes.<\/p>\n
In response, council decided to keep this area as a rural living zone.<\/p>\n
Councillor Sarah Mansfield, who chairs the environment and sustainability portfolio, said she hopes the framework will result in \u201csome very liveable and sustainable communities\u201d.<\/p>\n
Keeping in tune with the city\u2019s 30-year clever and creative vision, the areas are proposed to include 19 primary schools, five secondary schools, healthcare centres, police stations and multi-purpose community spaces.<\/p>\n
Walking and cycling will be central to the design of the two neighbourhoods to promote active transport.<\/p>\n
A 48-billion litre freshwater lake will fill the Batesford quarry in the Western growth zone, while the Northern growth zone will connect Lara with urbanised Geelong.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
GEELONG will be home to about 112,000 new residents by 2050 thanks to council\u2019s commitment to establish two growth areas in the city\u2019s northern and western suburbs. In a meeting on Tuesday March 26, councillors voted in favour of the lengthy Northern and Western Growth Areas Framework Plan, which has been in the works since […]<\/p>\n