Guy, City at loggerheads on lapsed height controls

JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
STATE Planning Minister Matthew Guy and City of Greater Geelong have blamed each other for the city’s 7.5-metre residential height control lapsing.
The interim height control lapsed on June 30, with the City blaming Mr Guy for failing to decide on whether to make an extension.
But Mr Guy hit back, saying the City had failed for a decade to do the work required to institute a permanent height control.
The City ran a media briefing on Wednesday to say it was awaiting a decision from Mr Guy.
The City said it had written to him in May asking for the 7.5-metre limit to become permanent.
“A 7.5-metre height control has existed for in excess of 20 years and was well accepted and supported by the Geelong community,” the letter said.
City planning general manager Peter Bettess said the height control gave the community a chance to lodge objections at planning permit stage.
Mr Bettess said the City prepared a review on the limit but ran out of time for public consultation before the control lapsed.
Mr Bettess warned against trying to take advantage of the lapse because any building commenced during the limbo period would still need a planning permit if the control was reinstated.
A spokesperson for Mr Guy said the City initially requested a ministerial amendment as an interim measure in 2001.
“No substantial permanent work has been done by the council around height limits since.
“The minister will ask council to ensure they do the appropriate long-term planning work around height controls or limits and then properly advertise the changes so the community can have their say.
“An interim measure is supposed to be just that – interim.
“The Council has allowed this to drag on for a decade without proper community consultation about the height controls.”