Council has voted to take the next step in the planning process to facilitate a Leopold Homemaker Centre at 92-100 Melaluka Road, Leopold, behind the current Gateway Plaza.
A future expansion to create the new Homemaker Centre along Melaluka Road was planned for in the City's Retail Strategy 2020-2036 .
The vote means that Amendment C472ggee Leopold Sub Regional Activity Centre – Combined Amendment, Development Plan 798/2025 and Planning Permit 397/2025 will be prepared for authorisation to DTP, with public exhibition to follow thereafter.
The land is currently zoned as Farming Zone (FZ), and is proposed to be rezoned as Commercial 1 Zone (C1Z).
The rezoning would facilitate plans to develop the site for a Homemaker Centre, with Harvey Norman as the proposed anchor tenant.
As part of the plans, developer contributions will be required to build community infrastructure.
City officers are working closely with Urbis, who submitted the amendment, and assuming authorisation by DTP, it will be exhibited once prepared, inviting submissions from the community.
Mayor Stretch Kontelj OAM:
As our city grows, it's important that we have the infrastructure our community needs as we move towards the target set by the Victorian Government for 126,500 new homes by 2051.The expansion of retail in Leopold was called for in our Retail Strategy back in 2020, and now, we're taking the next step to make it a reality.
Leopold Ward Councillor Trent Sullivan:
As we see growth in Leopold and on the Bellarine, it's important that we listen to the community.Make sure you follow yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au to stay informed about opportunities to make a submission once the amendment goes out for exhibition so that your views can be captured.
