Lock put on Heads

Jessica Benton
COUNCIL backing has raised hopes for Barwon Heads to beat plans for a boundary-busting residential development.
Geelong councillors have voted unanimously to adopt a Barwon Heads structure plan, ruling out expansion of the town’s boundaries.
The structure plan will now go to a State Government panel hearing, which will make recommendation to council before final approval from Planning Minister Justin Madden.
The structure plan thwarts proposals for a 240-home residential development and a 13th Beach Golf Club expansion, both west of the existing town boundary.
The Macafee family wants to open a 240-allotment estate at 1920 Geelong Road, while 13th Beach has proposed another 18-hole golf course, a second clubhouse and a “well-being centre” with facilities including a day spa, an indoor pool and a gym.
Save Barwon Heads Alliance’s Steve Wickham called council’s vote a step in the right direction.
“We’ve never been over-confident but rather quietly measured,” Mr Wickham said.
“We’re just very pleased we’re not fighting a hostile council this time round. The difference this time is we’re not working against the council.”
However, Mr Wickham warned the fight to lock up Barwon Heads as a seaside “village” was not over.
“I assume Macafee will in all likelihood take on council and the community and push his own barrow,” he said.
“I’ve read in papers that (ward councillor) Andy Richards says there’s no chance of it going ahead but you never know what the independent panel is going to do.
“All I know is we’ll be rigorously and vigorously defending the quality of the boundary where it stands and working closely with council. As far as I can see, Macafee has a snowball’s chance in hell.”
Richard Macafee said his family business had not yet “committed” to challenging the structure plan at the independent panel hearing.
“We’re just waiting at the moment. We have a couple of options but we’re just going to wait and see,” Mr Macafee said.
“We’re still very confident our proposal is a good one for the town but whether we do it in this process or later hasn’t been decided.”