$80m plan ‘thrills Norlane residents’

JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
THE BAILLIEU Government has dropped controversial plans for three and four-storey blocks of units at Norlane.
The Government has instead announced a new plan to redevelop 200 blocks in a four-year, $80 million project to build more than 320 public and private homes.
Housing Minister Wendy Lovell said it would be one of Victoria’s largest public and private housing projects.
The project would revitalise Norlane and attract new investment, she said.
The former Labor state government proposed a $32 million redevelopment including high-rise public housing.
Norlane resident Lisa Peppers opposed Labor’s plan but welcomed the Coalition’s project.
“I’m particularly thrilled that the three and four-storey developments are not going ahead,” Ms Peppers said.
“We wrote letters, lodged a petition and had media coverage, so I hope that the people of Norlane have had a voice in changing this.
“It shows that a large number of people can get together and the Government has to take notice of what people want.
“I’d like to think that the hard work paid off and our opinions have counted.”
Ms Lovell said the project was one of a number of initiatives to revitalise Norlane.
The Government announced last month it would establish one of its first two Work and Learning Centres in North Geelong during the first half of 2012.
“The Department of Planning and Community Development and the City of Greater Geelong are working on a structure plan for Corio-Norlane,” Ms Lovell said.
The Government had already let contracts for an initial group of 14 homes, with a tender to deliver the other residences underway.
“The project will include homes for private sale, with the new homes well-suited to young families,” Ms Lovell said.
Ms Lovell also announced establishment of a community advisory committee with Member for Western Victoria Region David Koch as chair.
The committee would enable community input into the New Norlane development, she said.