The City of Greater Geelong has responded to community concerns around the application for a new supermarket in Point Lonsdale.
Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj has written to Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny to ask for an urgent review into the proposed location of the new Coles branch.
The application is for a site at 2341–2349 Bellarine Highway, with a number of locals meeting this week to share their thoughts.
“Through direct contact with residents and feedback received at a recent community meeting attended by over 400 concerned residents there is strong concern about the proposal’s location and scale,” Kontelj said.
“The community fears it will undermine the character of Point Lonsdale and Queenscliffe, impact local businesses, and compromise the sensitive environmental setting.”
The Mayor said he shares these concerns and has asked for an assessment into alternative locations.
“The City has joined with community members and the Borough of Queenscliffe to call for the Minister to rezone the land from Commercial to Special Use to better reflect its environmental and strategic significance,” he said.
Mr Kontelj has provided the following list of specific concerns:
- The site is a significant gateway location to the town adding to the importance of the built form design and landscape features.
- The site is isolated and car-dependent, with poor pedestrian and cyclist connectivity. A signalised crossing and shared path infrastructure are essential but currently absent.
- The proposal is located outside designated retail centres and does not demonstrate a net community benefit.
- The development risks undermining the viability of existing small businesses in Point Lonsdale and Queenscliffe, which rely on local foot traffic and seasonal trade.
- Environmental concerns include potential impacts on native vegetation, water quality in Lakers Cutting, and proximity to Ramsar-listed wetlands.
- Infrastructure concerns include inadequate traffic impact assessments, stormwater management strategies, and potential road widening that may affect protected vegetation.
- The surrounding area supports significant environmental and community assets, and a development of this scale, bulk and intensity risks compromising local habitat through increased noise and light.
