Links plans “amicable”

Kim Waters
PLANS for residential development and a nine-hole golf course on the former Geelong Golf Club site are likely to be resolved without a Victorian Civil Admin-istrative Tribunal hearing, according to a developer spokesperson.
Links Living spokesperson Ron Smith said the company had submitted a revised proposal to Geelong council for the site late last year and were “waiting for council approval”.
The plan is the fifth for the site since Links Living took over the club and locked out members in 2003. A new Links Living website included a tool for buyers to register their interest in “acquiring a site”, despite plans lacking formal council approval.
“At this stage, the only way you can purchase one of the limited number of home sites is to formally register your interest with us and wait for an invitation,” the website said.
The Independent revealed in October that City officers and Links Living had agreed a new draft plan was required.
City of Greater Geelong’s Peter Bettess said Links Living submitted a “revised proposal” for the site on December 8.
He said council officers were preparing a report on the plan, which would go before council within the next four weeks.
Cowie ward councillor Eddy Kontelj said residents were “frustrated” with “changing” plans for the site.
“The community may want to see more open space or the developer may want more development on the site but we’ve come to a point where it’s pretty amicable,” Cr Kontelj said.