By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
A state review has reignited a battle over residential height restrictions in Geelong.
Residents first protested the planning changes in 2014, concerned about new zoning categories and increased height limits.
But Newtown Action Group’s Vicki Baensch said a new state list of “improvements” would take local planning backward.
The changes would “blur the lines“ between neighbourhood and general residential zones and strip residents of “protection and certainty“ on planning issues, she said.
“It once again makes every application an adventure and forces people to go to VCAT (Victorian Civil and Administration Tribunal) to fight a planning permit. It means applications are on a case-by-case basis again.
“This smacks of developers protesting they’re being locked out of areas. Geelong is already doing the right thing regarding planning, so the zones should now be left as they are.
“Geelong has plenty of growth in areas like Armstrong Creek and Lara. There’s no need to squeeze more into established suburbs that will change their character.”
Ms Baensch urged concerned residents to lodge submissions at dtpli.vic.gov.au by 5pm Monday.
