Borough reviews planning system after city slammed

By Geelong Story Updates
A STATE Ombudsman’s report into City of Greater Geelong’s planning processes has prompted Borough of Queenscliffe to review its own backyard.
The report found that Geelong’s council was lacking transparency, riddled with conflicts of interest and open to “allegations of corruption”.
Ombudsman George Brouwer tabled his report to state parliament on February 15 in response to complaints from Geelong ratepayers and planning applicants.
Borough chief executive Gary Price said council was “pretty happy” it had adhered to planning application procedures and policy after checking itself against the Ombudsman’s recommendations to Geelong.
Mr Price did not expect the borough to face dilemmas highlighted in the Ombudsman’s report.
“We can take solace from the fact we have some different processes which seem to be best practice,” he said.
Unlike Geelong, Queenscliff does not have a councillor hearing panel.
The Ombudsman’s report was scathing of Geelong’s panel for lack of procedural fairness and inadequate feedback to other councillors.
The borough will again review its planning processes at the end of the year, 12 months before 2008 local government elections.
“Planning is probably the biggest game in town here, simply because of the value of property and also because we have a lot of redevelopment,” Mr Price said.