Media Release

The key growth corridor of Geelong will run out of land to sell within two years as Federal and local governments bicker over environmental protections for a lizard not sighted within 60 km of the area, says leading developer Villawood Properties.

Without a decision on the earless dragon, supply will drop and demand rise, pushing housing affordability even further away from home buyers, the developer says.

“Not only has the earless dragon never been found in Geelong but the only sighting of one anywhere nearby was in Bacchus Marsh, 60km away,” Villawood executive director Rory Costelloe said.

“We don’t think it’s fair or reasonable to be looking for a needle in a haystack in Geelong.

“Where the earless dragon was found at Bacchus Marsh is in the basalt plains. The western growth corridor of Geelong is on the limestone plains, as proven by Adelaide Brighton’s and Boral’s huge local limestone quarrying operations.

“It’s a different geology so you’re hardly likely to ever find the earless dragon there. But nobody’s taking any reasonable steps to make a decision.”

Mr Costelloe said Geelong was at a critical point, facing the prospect of no sellable land from 2027 while “waiting for this planning process to reach a decision”.

“You’ll run out of land in 2027 and by the time any new houses get built it will be 2029,” he said.

“Supply equals demand, of course, and if supply is not there then prices are going to rise. And affordability is directly related to supply.”

Villawood Properties has several existing and award-winning developments at Geelong and Lara, and plans for a new estate at Moorabool in the North West Geelong growth corridor.

Mr Costelloe said it was frustrating no-one would rule on the dragon’s status.

“Nobody’s making decisions,” he said.

“The City of Greater Geelong council blames the Federal Government for delays, but when we go to Canberra to see the Federal Government, they say they’re waiting on the council to make a decision.”