The Glenelg Shire Council has noted a decision by the State Government to approve changes to the Glenelg Planning Scheme to allow the construction of an abalone farm on Dutton Way and Coles supermarket in Portland.


Mayor Karen Stephens said both projects would bring an economic boost to the Shire, with about 120 construction and 50 direct ongoing jobs from the abalone farm and 220 direct ongoing jobs at Coles, as well as many more indirect jobs as a result of both projects.


“While both these developments are multi-million-dollar projects to build, more importantly they will also bring an even larger ongoing boost to the Shire economy by the number of ongoing jobs they create,” she said.


Mayor Stephens said council supported the initial abalone farm development at Dutton Way, which was overturned by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal in 2020.


Yumbah then submitted a revised proposal to the State Government.


“Council noted support for the strong benefits the project would bring to the Shire in its submission to the Planning Panels Victoria committee set up by the government to consider the smaller proposal last year,” she said.


“A revised list of extensive conditions was also submitted to the committee that have been incorporated into the decision.


“The Coles proposal was also submitted directly to the State Government.


“Council submitted the proposed rezoning allowing for Coles was strategically justified under the adopted Portland Strategic Framework Plan.


“The rezoning will enable supermarket, shops and food and drink premises of large commercial development within the CBD area of Portland without requiring any new infrastructure that is typically required for this scale of development if located on the fringe of an urban area as often in experienced in regional centres.”