Ocean Grove Community Association hopes that the state government’s promise to protect the Bellarine Peninsula from overdevelopment finally brings an end to a three-year battle with developers.
Premier Daniel Andrews and Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville last week visited Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club to deliver Labor’s Statement of Planning Policy for the Bellarine
Peninsula’s ‘distinctive area and landscape’ (DAL) – setting out a 50-year vision for the region to guide development controls and boundaries.
It means all town boundaries on the Bellarine have been locked in and can only be changed through legislation with the support of both houses of state parliament.
Around 8600 people signed an Enough is Enough online petition to prevent developers from building on the land to the west of Grubb Road, the land east of Banks Road and the strip of land to the north between the current Oakdene housing development and the Bellarine Highway to be included in the Ocean Grove Town Settlement Boundary.
Ocean Grove Community Association chair Andy McKoy said he is hopeful that the long running exercise to permanently lock in Ocean Grove’s town boundary is finally over.
“We would like to think developers will refrain from undertaking future legal challenge to the government’s decision given the very clearly demonstrated strong community support for
retention of the town’s boundaries in their current location,” he said.
“We would like to say thank you to all the people in our community and across the wider Bellarine who showed their support and desire and signed the Enough is Enough on line petition.”
Retiring Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville and City of Greater Geelong mayor Peter Murrihy also welcomed the announcement.
“These reforms give confidence to local residents and businesses that what they
love about their community, and surrounding environment, is valued and protected for future generations,” Minister Neville said.
“We welcome the release of the final draft statement of planning policy for the Bellarine Peninsula’s ‘distinctive area and landscape,” Cr Murrihy said.
“We support the Victorian government’s work to implement the directions of the Greater Geelong Settlement Strategy to direct future greenfield growth away from the Bellarine to urban Geelong.
“This is about directing future growth to preferred locations and protecting our unique natural environment on the Bellarine.
“As a responsible public entity, Council will consider the endorsement of the statement of planning policy at a future council meeting.”
