Australia: end to cement works dispute paves way for development

Australia: end to cement works dispute paves way for development
12 August 2008


The long-awaited development of the former Fyansford cement works site is set to go ahead after settlement of a dispute between the developers and the cement company.

Developer Rob Moltoni yesterday said the dispute over ownership of the land had now been settled between his company and Adelaide Brighton.

The news came as City of Greater Geelong councillors prepare to vote on developing the adjoining Fyansford quarry site, also largely owned by Mr Moltoni.

Together the two developments could see the release of up to 2000 housing lots just to the city’s west and close to the Geelong ring road.

Mr Moltoni’s early plans for the two sites allowed for 800 dwellings on the cement works site and 965 dwellings at the former quarry.

But Mr Moltoni said these numbers were arrived at on a piecemeal basis and might change now that both developments could be looked at together.

"It’s now part of a much bigger picture, and that bigger picture includes the Adelaide Brighton land which isn’t yet a complete deal because we don’t own the silos component," Mr Moltoni said.

"We own part of the hilltop apart from the silos component, and as all of that is now rolled into one there will be an ongoing review of the whole project.

"So the plan was piecemeal until we could absolutely say we’ve got the whole package.

"We now have the whole package."

Mr Moltoni said the the silos and railway tracks near the top of Autumn St were still owned by VicTrack, with negotiations continuing.

Geelong councillors will vote tonight on a recommendation to give Mr Moltoni’s 83ha Fyansford quarry development the go-ahead. The site extends west from the Moorabool River to the ring road, and includes the Readymix quarry and adjoining rural properties.

Council has already given the nod to the 240-lot Riverlee housing development to the north of the cement works site, which will eventually contain 360 dwellings.

The Riverlee site and the two Moltoni developments have the potential to house 5000 people.

Published under Cement News