Geelong council has given the nod for a planning amendment and permit to develop a section of land in Drysdale to be exhibited to the community for feedback.
Amendment C447ggee aims to rezone land in the roughly triangular area between Huntingon Street, Princess Street and the Drysdale Bypass containing 12 properties as General Residential Zone 1 with a Design and Development Overlay.
Nine of the properties are currently Rural Living Zone, two are Transport Zone 1 and one is Farming Zone.
The planning permit application would see eight of the Rural Living Zone and the two Transport Zone 1 properties subdivided into just under 200 residential lots.
A local park would be established bordering the Bellarine Rail Trail, which bisects the area, to provide an active transport link and public space for recreational activities.
Councillor Melissa Cadwell said the amendment and permit application had “broad policy support” from the area’s settlement strategy and town structure plan.
“It’s been described as a logical rezoning, as it will facilitate urban growth on the south-eastern edge of Drysdale,” Cr Cadwell said.
“It’s located approximately 1.2 kilometres south of the Drysdale town centre, positioned quite close to existing sport, community and educational facilities.
“Any interested community members can sign up to alerts at the City of Greater Geelong website, www.geelongaustralia.com.au/amendments in order to be notified when the amendment C447ggee and the planning permit will go up for exhibition.”
Cr Bruce Harwood supported the motion, saying the community should take the opportunity to have their say.
“I think, importantly, this particular opportunity will take a little bit of the pressure off that area, which has had extensive sprawl in recent years,” he said.
“While it’s a small area by comparison, it still is a step in the right direction about trying to contain sprawl of residential areas in that part of the Bellarine.”
Geelong mayor and Bellarine Ward councillor Trent Sullivan said such the rezoning would support the work that had already gone into protecting town boundaries in the area.
“Part of the trade-off of protecting the green breaks and town boundaries is we (will need to) trend from out-fill to in-fill (within) our town boundaries,” Cr Sullivan said.
“Reserves alongside the Rail Trail will keep that regional country township feel that comes along with living in a beautiful area such as this.”
