Stockland verdict set

Jessica Benton
AN ENVIRONMENTAL act is the last barrier to a controversial housing development at Point Lonsdale, according to objectors.
Geelong Environment Council president Joan Lindros hoped Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett would at least put constraints on Stockland’s plan for Lonsdale Lakes.
Mr Garrett must decide whether the proposal complies with the Commonwealth’s Environment Pro-tection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 after the environment council applied for a RAMSAR listing on the site last year, Ms Lindros said.
RAMSAR listings protect wetlands of “international importance”.
“It (Mr Garrett’s decision) probably won’t stop the development, just make it more difficult,” she said.
Planning Minister Justin Madden has given his approval to Stockland’s $330 million residential development.
Stockland proposes a 598-dwelling development including a retirement village and an aged-care facility.
Ms Lindros criticised Mr Madden’s approval of the plan.
She said it is not in line with State Government’s Victorian Coastal Strategy.
“The coastal strategy states clearly the Government will not allow any canal developments and won’t allow anything with a danger of flooding,” she said.
“I think the government has bowed to the power of big business.”
Ms Lindros said the state’s new restriction on development to allow for sea level rises of 80cm was inadequate.
“If anyone is stupid enough to think sea level rise is going to stop at .8m then that’s ridiculous,” she said.
“They haven’t taken into account the rise in groundwater and storm surges, which is a problem for that area and which will get worse in years to come.”
A spokesperson for Mr Garrett expected he would make his decision next month.