A sprawling new suburb, currently under the working title East of Aberline Precinct Structure Plan (PSP), will provide up to 4000 homes to a population of more than 9000.

The PSP area covers approximately 360 hectares of land and is located between Wangoom Road to the north, Dales Road to the south, Aberline Road to the west, and Horne Road to the east.

Warrnambool City Council was contacted for comment about the new suburb eight days ago but did not respond.

It is one of six identified growth areas to be developed for residential purposes within Warrnambool.

The land within the PSP area is mostly farming zone (93 per cent), meaning the land would have to be rezoned before any development be considered.

Planning reports reveal a 20-hectare memorial reserve sits in the centre of the proposed development area.

The Tozer Memorial Reserve retains eight hectares of grassy woodlands and is recognised as a 'significant ecological resource' home to a number of important flora and fauna species.

It is known to support the EPBC Act listed grassy eucalypt woodland of the Victorian volcanic plain ecological community and threatened growling grass frog. The grey-headed flying-fox and southern bent-wing bat are also likely to use foraging resources within the PSP area on occasion, an environmental report reads.

Fauna surveys completed within the northern half of Tozer Memorial Reserve between 2013 and 2014 recorded a range of native and introduced species including the bush rat, eastern grey kangaroo, swamp wallaby brushtail possum, short-beaked echidna and gould's wattled bat. The surveys also recorded a number of conservation-listed fauna species.

Records held by the managing trust committee indicate there may be up to 100 indigenous flora species present within the reserve. Koalas were found also found to use the site.

The early planning reports say the reserve is 'likely to be retained for conservation'.

On the south-east side of the area lies two large water storage ponds managed by Wannon Water.

Land near Russells Creek, which runs through the middle of the site, has been identified as an area of Aboriginal cultural heritage sensitivity, meaning a cultural heritage plan would be required if the development was to go ahead.

It is expected that by December 2019 to February 2020 the precinct plan would be open for community feedback.

One possible future government school is proposed for the north of the Merri precinct.

Traffic modelling predicts the growth corridor would generate daily traffic limits of 40,000 vehicle movements a day, with 4000 additional vehicles during peak hour.

It is expected that access to proposed development would come off the main three roads bounding the site, Aberline Road, Wangoom Road and Horne Road.

The plan is expected to deliver more than 8800 jobs, a staff member from Planning Minister Richard Wynne's office said.

The cash for the PSP marks one of seven projects in Warrnambool and Portland that have been funded by the state government's Streamlining for Growth Program, an investment of $634,560.

The others include:

READ MORE: Warrnambool residential precinct bolstered by grant to accelerate framework planning

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