Clinic has five-year ban on extensions overturned

By John Van Klaveren
GEELONG’S council has granted a planning permit for extensions to a medical centre despite banning extensions five years ago.
Corio Medical Clinic wants to add consulting rooms and a pharmacy while including two recently purchased properties in Georgia Gve and Cox Rd in its 4672-square-metres site.
A report to council said the clinic wanted to increase its medical practitioners from 15 to 16.
The report said the original 2005 permit had already been amended twice, with a separate permit issued for a proposed diabetes clinic.
The report said council resolved in 2007 to support the diabetes clinic proposal but would not grant further planning permits allowing expansion “beyond its current boundaries”.
The report said council wanted to see a development plan for the entire site first.
Six nearby residents objected to the proposal but the report said none of the objections could be upheld.
The report said “on balance” the proposal was an appropriate outcome for the site and surrounding community.
Ward councillor Kylie Fisher said the medical centre extension was an important step in improving health services in the north.
“There is a recognised shortfall in health services in the northern suburbs of Geelong so this extension is a welcome boost to local services.”