Geelong Apartments

Plans in Motion was thrilled to have received a comprehensive and well-reasoned decision from VCAT approving 42 residential apartments in the heart of Newcomb, Geelong.

Managing Director, Maggie Cusdin, advocated that there was strong policy support driving change and growth in this location, and this was affirmed by VCAT, who emphasised the importance and weight of the Residential Growth Zone and the Increased Housing Diversity Area.

Our position – that Council should not use S173 agreements to manage and enforce Waste Management Plan and Storm Water Management Plans – was also affirmed, with VCAT stating:

“Such agreements are intended to advance the objectives of planning in Victoria through their use or development… It in fact goes to payment of rates and fees which are not a planning consideration.”

The proposal represented some significant challenges, including location on a truncated road, in an area subject to inundation, interfacing a bike trail and neighbouring single residential dwellings (original housing stock). Plans in Motion & the project team prepared a moderated approach addressing these parameters, to achieve this outcome.

OZVICS Developments Pty Ltd v Greater Geelong CC [2019] VCAT 1696 (30 October 2019)