Andrew Mathieson
PLANS to close a Corio road for a service centre have crushed the dreams of a Geelong man hoping to build a new family home.
Chris Matsarakis said he was now forced to sell his three acres at Lovely Banks after years of planning.
A council decision this week to close Matthews Road, adjacent to the city’s bypass, could allow company Bredix to build the service station.
Residents have fought an ongoing battle against the proposal on grounds of noise, signage, increased traffic and impact on rural living.
Mr Matsarakis was so angry about the road closure he was offering his land to any councillor for free if they were willing to live just 45 metres from the proposed service centre.
Mr Matsarakis said other residents near the site were also preparing to sell their homes.
“These are people who are very, very disappointed and want to leave Geelong altogether,” he said.
City Hall had knocked back offers in 2006 to buy the land on Matthews Road, quashing Bredix’s initial hopes to build a BP service station off the ring road.
But Mr Matsarakis said a councillor had since privately told him an expected Bredix court challenge had forced council’s hand.
“Instead of fighting for the residents, they have backed down totally,” Mr Matsarakis said.
Councillor Rod Macdonald said council’s decision was based only on whether Matthews Road still had “a function” rather than on petrol station proposals.
“Whatever comes after that is a separate issue,” he said.
“We have to address, in determining a road closure, to look at the use of road and the case for and against. In the context of these parameters, I believe it was the correct decision of council.”
Cr Macdonald said called Mr Matsarakis’s land offer “silly”.
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