Blast for waterfront safeguard heights of anger

Jessica Benton
A leading Geelong lobby group has slammed a council bid to lock-up building height limits on the city’s foreshore at six storeys.
Committee for Geelong executive director Peter Dorling said the organisation would try to have the decision overturned under the next council, set for election next month.
Councillors this week voted to retain the six-storey waterfront limit, while allowing eight and 10-storey limits progressively further back into the central city area.
The decision will go to State Planning Minister Justin Madden for approval.
Mr Dorling accused council of limiting Geelong’s potential for “architectural creativity” on the waterfront.
“Architecturally, we need to look at what’s proposed as opposed to setting a limit. Developers should be able to come in with ideas and they be addressed accordingly,” he said.
“To set strict guidelines will severely limit development opportunities coming to Geelong.”
Mr Dorling vowed the committee would keep pushing for abolition of the waterfront limit.
“Well be talking more than lobbying. We’ll talk to the new council and State Government and tell them this is restrictive and doesn’t allow for creativity.”
Prominent Geelong property developer Frank Costa said council must ensure it makes the right decisions for the waterfront.
His Costa Property Group has plans for a hotel in a redevelopment of Cunningham Pier, which comes under the waterfront height restrictions.
Mr Costa said council faced an “important challenge” in development of the waterfront.
“We want to make sure we don’t lose what we’ve got, we don’t want to see over-development, but we also don’t want to miss the opportunity to create something very special around the bayfront,” he said.
Mr Costa was “comfortable” with council’s decision, saying it would not affect the plans for Cunningham Pier.
Councillor Stretch Kontelj said the new guidelines were clear and concise.
“Everyone knows what the maximum height is and this is the key factor,” he said.
“This is a good thing because it adds certainty. Developers now know buildings have to be designed, submitted and created on the height limits rather than their own ideas.
“It also ensures we won’t have a walled waterfront and risk blocking views.
“We’re looking at what the best return is for the community, while developers are looking at their own returns.”