Developer releases new Lonsdale plans

Andrew Mathieson
Developer Stockland is promising a new, greener plan in its second attempt for a residential development at Point Lonsdale.
Stockland Victoria general manager Cameron Alderson said the new plans would include a 94hectare green wedge – 2½ times the size of the Royal Botanical Gardens – with more than half of the land to be transferred to public ownership.
Some of the land will be made available for neighbourhood parks and waterways that would include 18 kilometres of walkways and cycle paths.
Planning Minister Rob Hulls rejected the developer’s initial proposal for 660 housing lots last year, ruling the plan contradicted State Government policy restricting coastal development and the site was outside the town’s boundaries.
Mr Alderson also said the new design would “maintain the valued coastal character of the old Point Lonsdale”.
The plan included 600 homes, up to 170 retirement units and an aged care facility for 120 residents.
“The key difference from the housing point of view is that in the previous concept we looked to reshape the land,” Mr Alderson said.
“To keep it simple, there’s no rezoning of land required.”
Mr Alderson said a convenience store, medical and health services and a 500squaremetre multipurpose community facility were other features of the new plan.
A constructed waterway pumping from the bay would eliminate stagnant water at the site, he said.