BARWONHEADS
STRUCTUREPLANUPDATE2016
PROJECTBULLETIN#1
Welcome to our first communication on the Barwon Heads Structure PlanUpdate.As the name ‘Update’implieswe’re not creating a newStructure Planbutupdatingthe existingone,which was developedin2010.
Structure Plansprovidedirectionsonhowtownshipsshouldgrow anddevelopinthe future,identifyingkey strategic planningissues inrelationtocommunityneeds andaspirations.
As wemove throughthe process ofupdatingyourStructure Plan wewillkeep youinformedofwhat’sgoingonandwhenyoucan provideinputandfeedback. TheProject Teamlooksforwardto workingwithyouthroughoutthisprocess.
AndreSchmid
ProjectManager
TimHellsten
ManagerPlanningStrategyand
UrbanGrowth
ProjectPurpose
The Barwon Heads Structure Plan was formally adopted by the City
ofGreater Geelong in January
2010. It’snow time toupdate the Structure Plan tomake sure it meets the community’s changing needs, particularly around demographics, development pressures, housing diversity,residential character,
the rural and natural environment, climate change, flooding, transport and infrastructure.
TownPlanning and Urban Design specialists, Hansen Partnership have been engaged by the City
toundertake a BarwonHeads
ResidentialCharacterAssessment.
This assessment will consider how the current planning controls guide new developments within the town.
Youwill have the opportunity tohave input on what you value about the character ofBarwon Heads through the engagement process.
Aseparate tree assessment is being undertaken forWarrenbeenCourt by Ecology and Heritage Partners
ProjectGivens
The Update and associated engagement activities will be undertaken within the following
‘givens’.These are the elements of the process and existing planning policy thatcan’t be changed:
•Professional responses on how best toaddress current issues will be informed and guided by both evidence and community aspirations
•Any potential change tothe settlement boundary will be
considered in the context ofstate and local planning policies
•There will need tobe new houses within established areas to achieve Council’s adopted policy position in the Housing Diversity Strategy 2007 and the residential character ofBarwon Heads
•Maintaining and even strengthening existing open space and wetlands is an important part ofthe Update tomeet our local, stateand international obligations
•Recommendations will go to Council but ultimately it is the StatePlanning Minister who makes the final decision.The Planning SchemeAmendment will also be heard by the independent Planning Panels Victoria
EngagementPurpose
The purpose ofthe engagement is tounderstand what is important tothe community and how best the Structure Plancan respond within the assumptions. Council will be assisted by an independent engagement facilitator throughout the process.
ProcessOverviewincluding
EngagementOpportunities
There are nine broad steps tothe process ofupdating the Structure Plan.These are set out in the figure below along with the engagement opportunities:
1August 2016
weare here
2September 2016
3October 2016
Recruitment
Confirming participation in the engagement activities. Look out for details on how to be involved in the September edition of Talking Heads
Engagementevents
Central representative workshop (All welcome), interest group workshops, drop-in sessions, online input
yourinput
4November2016
What We know and What We heardEngagement report outlining the key issues facing the township, what was heard during the engagement and what is important tothe community
5March/April 2017
Response
DraftStructure Plan Update developed and released forfurther community feedback. Feedback sessions
yourinput
6Post July 2017
Adoption
Barwon Heads Structure Plan Update adopted by Council
72nd
halfof2017
PlanningSchemeamendment
The Barwon Heads Structure Plan will be exhibited as a Planning SchemeAmendment. There will be an opportunity tomake a formal submission on the Structure Plan
yourinput
82017or2018
PlanningPanelsVictoria
Ahearing will be held by Planning Panels Victoria.Submitters will have the opportunity tobe heard atthe Panel
92018
Minister Approval
Planning Panels Victoriatomake recommendations toCouncil and then Council to forward the final Structure Plan to the Minister for approval
Contacts:
Ifyou have any questions regarding the process please contact the Planning StrategyTeamatthe City ofGreater Geelong:
Project Manager: Andre Schmid 5272 4879 or email:
.
Ifyou would like toreceive updates about the project please send your contact details to or call Bernadette Notting on 5272 5078.