Guy slashes grassland protection on BW site

By John Van Klaveren
PLANNING Minister Matthew Guy has effectively removed an environmental overlay protecting native grasslands at Lara, planning documents reveal.
Landowner Barwon Water asked him for a rezoning to “maximise the development potential” of the 1.3-hectare Heales Rd site.
The approval has angered Geelong’s peak community environmental body.
The Independent reported in February that development threatened remaining fragments of native grasslands in the region.
An Australian Academy of Science report said volcanic plains grasslands around Lara and Little River were one of Victoria’s most endangered ecosystems.
Only half of the .2 per cent of remaining grassland was in “good condition”, the report said.
A planning department report said a due diligence assessment identified the possibility of native grasslands on the Lara site.
“The environmental significance overlay applies to the site for the purpose of protecting the grasslands within the Werribee plains hinterland,” the report said.
“This overlay will ensure any future development of the site will appropriately consider the potential loss of grassland.
“It is also acknowledged that Amendment C243 to the greater Geelong planning scheme seeks to remove the (environmental overlay) from the subject land.”
The report said rezoning to Industrial 2 would “create positive economic benefits” for an underutilised site.
“The site is within an industrial area and has good quality road connections to the Princes Hwy and the Geelong ring road.
“There is the potential through the amendment that the future development of the site would create local employment opportunities.
“It will plan for and allow the facilitation of further industrial development,” the report said.
The report suggested Barwon Water would sell the land.
“The rezoning would provide certainty to potential purchasers of the land and nearby sites as to the intended future use.
“The land has been highly modified and disturbed over the years through its previous use as an effluent treatment facility.”
Geelong Environment Council president Joan Lindros said the removal of grasslands protection was “totally unacceptable”.
“Local and state governments have a responsibility to protect all remaining grasslands,” she said.
A spokesperson for Mr Guy said he approved the amendment because of a zoning correction.
An environmental overlay was also applied, the spokesperson said.
The rezoning was supported by Geelong City Council and gazetted on June 21. Any future uses will need to respond to and appropriately manage the natural landscape of the land.”