Corio residents fight huge housing plan linked to Packer

Plans for the project at 26-34 Sharland Rd have been lodged with the City of Greater Geelong by Tract Consultants on behalf of developer Edenville Corio Pty Ltd.

If approved, the former site of Rosewall Primary School could host 108 dwellings, including 60 single-storey and 24 two-storey dual tenancy units with a combination of two, three and four bedrooms.

Mr Packer has previously been linked to Edenville and his private company, Consolidated Press Holdings, has been connected to the consortium behind the development.

Edenville developer Deniz Sivasli said the school site had been sitting vacant for far too long and was not benefiting the area.

“We are seeking to develop a high-quality master-planned community to cater for both young families and downsizers that have a long history and family connections in the area,” said Mr Sivasli.

“People who are proud to call Corio home.”

But locals residents, including Kevin Cooper, are objecting to plans.

The 78-year-old, who has lived across the road from the site for 40 years, said he was concerned “every tree in the park” would be cut down to make space for the development.

“There are fully established gum trees there that are 30 to 40 foot high and there is a lot of bird life like magpies and willie wagtails,” he said.

“There is a lot of vacant land without touching the trees.”

Mr Cooper said children from the neighbourhood played football and basketball at the reserve.

“During the summer I go there and sit under the trees if there is a cool breeze,” he said.

Loading embed…

Edenville did not directly respond to questions about the objections.

Mr Sivasli said the site would undergo tree regeneration and the development would include landscaped communal spaces.

“We are also working with council to upgrade the playground in Connections Park West for local families,” he said.

As of Wednesday, Geelong council’s acting director of planning and design Joanne Van Slageren said council had received four objections to the application relating to loss of greenery and an increase of traffic and loss of parking spaces for the Rosewall Community Centre, located next to the site.

The planning documents revealed Edenville was also seeking approval for a multi-lot subdivision, including boundary realignment, removal of a reserve and waiver of visitor car parks.

Plans showed two council roads would be built as part of the project; one off Sharland Rd and another off McHarry Crt.

The site is in proximity to key industrial precincts, which could provide employment opportunities, and is within 1.5km of the Corio train station.

The plans are on public exhibition, with a decision not expected to be made until at least June 9.