By Natalee Kerr
City Hall has warned a development approved by the state’s tribunal sets an “undesirable precedent” for the future of Geelong Port.
Developer Camjam secured the approval at Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) for a two-dwelling development at North Shore last Tuesday.
The decision comes after council refused a planning permit for 33 The Esplanade in February due to its potential impact on Geelong Port’s functionality and health issues.
City Hall said the dwellings could cause an “undesirable” outcome for the port, which, according to a council report, generates about $400 million of local economic activity annually.
A previous council report noted the plan could result in “further intensification” of residential development on the “sensitive interface” to the port.
“Over time this may end up being several additional dwellings which do have the potential to increase the number of people residing near heavy industrial uses,” it read.
“The cumulative impact of intensifying development in this area has the real potential to constrain the ongoing operation (and) development of the commercial port.
“It creates pressures to limit the port’s size, its nature and operational hours.”
But Geelong Port did not object to the initial plans, stating in an email the proposed developments were “complementary to the residential area at North Shore”, VCAT heard.
Senior VCAT member Jeanette Rickards said the proposed dwellings would be “unlikely” to cause any additional constraints to the ongoing operation and development of the port.
“If it was of concern that the increased development would have an impact on the future potential of the port, we would expect the port to not be supportive of the proposal.”
Ms Rickards determined the application was “in line” with council planning controls for the area and issued the permit, with construction to begin in the next two years.
The previous buildings on the site were demolished mid-last year after it sold for $1.17 million in 2017, according to various real estate websites.
The approval comes after Victorian Regional Channels Authority chief Michael Harvey last year warned residential and commercial developments could cut off access to the port.
Development too close to the port could lead to harmful curfews and limits on truck movements and size, harming businesses already operating on fine margins, he explained.
In 2016/2017 13.5 million tonnes of cargo, worth $7.8 billion, passed through the port generating $570 million for the economy and supporting 1700 jobs, according to Mr Harvey.
