Geelong council has deferred its decision on Barwon Heads’ town boundary.
Originally planned for 12 February, council deferred its decision until 26 February for “further consideration” according to councillor Trent Sullivan.
The Barwon Heads structure plan would involve the town’s boundary to remain the same.
Councillors Stephanie Asher and Peter Murrihy were absent from Tuesday’s council meeting.
“This is to ensure that each and every Bellarine Ward council members can be in attendance for the vote,” Save Barwon Heads Alliance said on its website.
“We find this interesting and suggest it means we all need to get along to show our support for our town.
“The Council will consider the Barwon Heads Structure Plan Amendment 375 together with the Panel Report. They will vote on the future of the wetlands, the boundary and our town.
“Have the developers been lobbying hard? Is this their last chance? Take a guess.
“We expect that Council will keep the boundary where it is, and we want to make sure they stick to their word by having has many members of the community there to watch this take place.”
Developers are seeking to have the town’s boundary extended for more residential lots.
Save Barwon Heads Alliance was formed in July 2007 with the sole purpose of advocating for retention of the ‘green break’ to the west of the Barwon Heads town.
A vote had been scheduled for Tuesday night’s council meeting on the issue of adopting an amendment to the Barwon Heads structure plan, which would involve no change to the town boundary.
But councillor Trent Sullivan said “further consideration” was needed and he moved to defer the issue to a future meeting. The motion was unanimously supported by his colleagues. Councillors Stephanie Asher and Peter Murrihy were absent.
The amendment proposes a replacement of residential zones and new development overlays that support increased housing diversity close to the Hitchcock Ave retail core. It also proposes lower scale housing forms in the remaining parts of Barwon Heads.
