Geelong Growth Areas strategic assessment

A strategic assessment is in process to support urban development in Geelong – one of Victoria's fastest-growing regional areas. The strategic assessment will protect the environment while promoting ecologically sustainable development.

 

Strategic assessments are a collaboration between the Australian Government and an assessment partner. This collaboration allows for a big-picture approach to safeguarding protected matters from the impacts of development over a long time.

The Geelong Growth Areas (Vic) strategic assessment on this page is in progress. This means the Environment minister signed an agreement with a partner to undertake a strategic assessment. The partner is now working to develop the required information.

Overview

The Northern and Western Geelong Growth Areas cover over 5,300 ha. The City of Greater Geelong is managing an urban development project for the area that could fit 110,000 new residents.

It will be the largest greenfield (undeveloped land) planning project in regional Victoria.

The Geelong Growth Areas strategic assessment overlaps with more than half of the Northern and Western Geelong Growth Areas. The strategic assessment covers the:

  • entire Northern Growth Area
  • northernmost section of the Western Growth Area
  • supporting infrastructure, such as roads and water infrastructure, next to these areas.

View the Geelong Growth Areas strategic assessment map (PDF 2.4 MB).

Exclusions

The Geelong Growth Areas strategic assessment won't include:

  • the southern section of the Western Geelong Growth Area, which has an active quarry
  • projects with an existing Part 9 approval under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

Signed agreement

On 27 January 2022, the Australian Government and the City of Greater Geelong agreed to a strategic assessment.

The agreement includes:

  • developing terms of reference to prepare a strategic impact assessment report
  • preparing a plan.

Geelong Growth Areas Strategic Assessment Agreement (PDF 1.6 MB)
Geelong Growth Areas Strategic Assessment Agreement (DOCX 2.1 MB)

Terms of reference

The terms of reference for a strategic assessment detail how the strategic assessment partner is to assess the impacts of their proposed development activities.

On 21 February 2022, the Environment minister sought public comment on the draft terms of reference.

Public comment closed on 21 March 2022, and the terms of reference were finalised on 14 July 2022.

Terms of reference Geelong Growth Areas (PDF 1.6 MB)
Terms of reference Geelong Growth Areas (DOCX 2.1 MB)

Policy, plan or program and impact report

The City of Greater Geelong will prepare a plan and strategic assessment report according to the terms of reference.

The plan will describe:

  • the proposed activities for the development
  • commitments related to protected matters under the EPBC Act.

The report will describe and assess the impacts of actions under the plan on all protected matters.

The public will be able to comment on the draft plan and report before the Environment minister considers endorsing them.

We expect the strategic assessment to be in place by late 2023.

For more information, see the Northern and Western Geelong Growth Areas Strategic Assessment page on the City of Greater Geelong website.

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