Compulsory mediations have broken down between property developers intending to construct a 17-unit complex spanning two lots at 57-59 The Parade, Ocean Grove, and concerned residents.
As a result, the consortium of developers, represented by UXD Group, have signalled they will bypass Greater Geelong council and take their application directly to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) after council did not make a decision about the application in the required timeframe.
City officers prepared a report for council recommending the application be refused on multiple grounds concerning reasonable sharing of views to the coast, the scale of the building, standards of neighbourhood character and orderly planning.
Council has not decided on the proposal yet, despite the city officers’ report being compiled by October 21, 2022, but will likely consider the matter at its March 28 meeting.
UXD Group director Beau O’Brien said the residents’ issues were not with this proposal, but with the planning zone requirements.
“We know there’s a heavy community view in this, but if you look at the concerns they refer to the planning scheme, not so much the development,” Mr O’Brien.
“We feel the underlying issues are with the residential growth zone and the community not wanting to see that level of development or change.
“That’s probably beyond the developers; that’s probably about the city council and Victorian government approach to the zones of Ocean Grove.”
Resident Peter Turner, who lives directly opposite the site of the proposed development, said the development was completely inappropriate for the quiet street.
“It’s just totally out of character with the area; it’s a monolithic concrete block,” Mr Turner said.
“Seventeen units is just too many. We accept that the City of Geelong wants to have a higher density in the area, that’s fine, but keep it appropriate.”
Ocean Grove Community Association chairperson Andy McKoy said many residents feel the same as Mr Turner.
“Given the fact that we don’t want the town boundary extended we have to accept that some parts of Ocean Grove have a high density requirement,” Mr McKoy said.
“But 17 units over three storeys and across two blocks is not what we were anticipating.
“It’s a visual monstrosity. And it sets a precedent that in 10 years time the whole of that high density zone around the town centre could be three-storey townhouses.”
Vicki Nolan, who is currently developing the block behind the proposed development, said the complex was overkill and she intended to contest the proposal.
“I’m for development, I don’t have an issue with it especially in high-density zones like this, but it doesn’t have to be a square block of apartments,” Mrs Nolan said.
“We’ve started a GoFundMe page and we’re hoping to raise $25,000, purely to be able to afford legal representation at VCAT.”
Mr O’Brien said the proposal met the desired housing outcomes of the residential growth zone.
The matter will be heard by VCAT in late April.
