Premier Ted Baillieu is pictured inspecting redevelopment works on Geelong’s old courthouse building this week. He toured the courthouse as part of a flying visit for a series of announcements on Wednesday.
By John Van Klaveren
VICTORIA’S Planning Minister has “ticked off” an 8000-lot land release for Lovely Banks, according to Lara MP John Eren.
Mr Eren said his electorate was “bursting at the seams” with the Lovely Banks land and 4500 new lots for Lara.
The Independent revealed last year that the Baillieu Government had targeted Lara, Lovely Banks and Batesford for residential growth. South Barwon MP Andrew Katos told a developers lobby lunch the Government would use the centres to “bridge the gap” between Geelong and Melbourne.
The Lovely Banks allotments would provide enough housing for 20,000 residents, based on the typical planning allocation of 2.5 occupants per dwelling.
Mr Eren said the northern suburbs proposal coincided with a “slowdown” in development south of Geelong at Armstrong Creek.
He urged the Government to ensure adequate infrastructure planning for the new residents in the north.
“The Government has previously indicated its preference for a sweep of development around the northern suburbs,” Mr Eren said.
“But unplanned development without the right infrastructure can cause stress on residents, as has occurred in developments in outer-Melbourne areas.
“Land buying has already occurred but the Government needs to hold off until the necessary infrastructure is in place.
The planning minister must communicate with other ministers around the cabinet table, particularly the Water Minister.
“‘By the way, I’m about to release 8000 lots of land. How do you think you will go with the infrastructure spending to accommodate that growth?’
“But, no, I don’t think that communication happens. I don’t think they talk to each other.”
Acting Mayor Cameron Granger said council was aware of the proposal.
“We prefer to use precinct planning, as we have in other areas such as the recently announced Lara development.
“Precinct planning enables us to ensure roads, kindergartens, shops and the like can be planned into the development.”
Cr Granger said the Lovely Banks land release would impact on existing growth strategies and a regional land-use guide that council alliance group G21 was developing.
“It means we will have to look seriously at our master plans and particularly the structure plans for Corio-Norlane and Lara.”
