By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
CITY Hall’s Armstrong Creek plans have come under attack again, this time from a group of Horseshoe Bend landowners and developers.
The landowners, included in Armstrong Creek’s largest precinct, have objected to the level of developer contributions council wants from them.
The Independent revealed last month that council had lost a battle with supermarket giants Coles and Woolworths over the design of Armstrong Creek’s town centre.
The 640-hectare Horseshoe Bend precinct is bounded by Surf Coast Hwy, Geelong’s ring road extension, Barwon River floodplains and Armstrong Creek’s east precinct.
The precinct includes commercial, mixed use, residential and recreation zonings. The objections were heard at a planning panel that wrapped up on Wednesday.
Objectors claimed council’s community infrastructure levy should cover the $8.4 million for a bowling green, an athletics facility, playgrounds and a multi-purpose stadium.
They also argued that land for a Powercor sub-station, transit corridor and wetland should be publicly acquired.
The landowners disagreed with the apportionment of four $23.4 million road intersections included in the precinct but shared with other zones in Armstrong Creek.
Urban Enterprise managing director Matt Ainsaar told the panel the developer contributions plan for Horseshoe Bend was consistent with other precincts in the overall development.
He said the plan was “in line with expectations for development contributions in a regional growth area” and the type, cost and scale of infrastructure was “generally in accordance with accepted practice in Victoria”.
Residents of other precincts would use facilities paid for by developments in Horseshoe Bend whose residents would in turn use facilities in other precincts.
“In my opinion, this is an equitable and practical approach,” Mr Ainsaar told the panel.
“Council’s position is that developers are responsible for the funding of collector roads as part of subdivision development.
“This approach is consistent with (developments in) Jetty Rd, Lara West and across Armstrong Creek.”
Mr Ainsaar said the developer cost of roads, drainage and recreation facilities resulted in a levy of $855 per lot, just under the $900 cap.
