A joint council strategy “30 years in the making” has called for the protection of a “green break” separating Geelong and Melbourne from future development.
Geelong and Wyndham councils on Wednesday released the draft Avalon Corridor Strategy to the public.
Windermere ward councillor Anthony Aitken said the strategy had been underway since the former Shire of Corio released the first economic development plan for Avalon in 1991.
Cr Aitken said he was “extremely proud” to be part of a council “protecting the green break” and “recognising the significant environmental and cultural assets that exist”.
He said the strategy would establish the framework for investment to turn the corridor into the “economic engine room” for jobs for Geelong and Werribee.
Fellow Windermere ward councillor Kylie Grzybek stressed the importance of ratepayers having their say.
“The Avalon corridor is where the jobs of the future are going to be for the greater Geelong and Wyndham regions, and we need to get this right,” Cr Grzybek said.
“We want the views of the community, stakeholders and potential investors, as the strategy covers cultural and environmental values, employment opportunities, port and rail proposals and much more.”
The strategy seeks to restrict further urban growth to protect the corridor’s “significant” biodiversity and environment, including western volcanic plain grasslands and wetlands listed under The Ramsar Convention.
The draft proposes no further residential expansion of either Lara or Little River and proposes “further work to establish a boundary” for the latter.
The strategy also seeks to enable the expansion of rail and road links to Avalon Airport and the proposed Bay West Port.
The plan will guide land use in the Avalon corridor and, once finalised, both Geelong and Wyndham councils will incorporate it into their planning schemes.
Geelong council also requested that the Victorian Planning Authority lead the development of a precinct structure plan for the Avalon Employment Precinct, a first for Geelong, according to City Hall.
The councils developed the strategy in collaboration with the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning in response to a Plan Melbourne 2017-2050 direction to maintain the green break.
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Luke Voogt
