Central Geelong Task Force Special Committee Report24 July 2014

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Central Geelong ACTION PLAN MANAGERS REPORT

Recommendation

That the report be noted.

Report

The following table summarises the key activities undertaken by the Central Geelong Project Manager since completion and adoption of the Central Geelong Action Plan in January 2014:

2014/15 budget
Preparing project bids consistent with Year 1 actions identified in CGAP / Status: Completed.
17 projects funded
Geelong Advancement Fund application – Malop to Ryrie precinct
Project scoping & development
Expression of interest application and RDV presentation
Final application / Status: On track
EoI application approved.
Final application lodged 18/7.
Progressing strategic site discussions
Capital Projects project manager appointed.
Zoning review
Development of VicSmart amendment materials
ACZ provisions review
Preparation of report
Council briefing / Status: On track
VicSmart report adopted by Council and 20(4) application lodged with Minister
Strategic Sites opportunities study
Funding application to RDV
Consultants appointed
Consultant and PSG management and stakeholder briefings / Status: On track
Final report 95% complete
Currently expanding project scope to examine follow up implementation
Special Committee & Advisory Committees
Establish Terms of Reference and application guidelines
Manage EoI process
Manage Special Committee panel assessment process
Council report and Terms of reference changes
Develop Special Committee induction kits/induction session
Establish initial Special Committee meeting / Status: On track
Special Committee members appointed and induction completed
Report on Advisory Committees prepared
Task Force Team establishment
Work with GM to establish team resources and project plan / Status: on track
Manager recruitment process underway
Initial project resources planning commenced
Design Assessment Panel
Establish Terms of Reference
Discussions OGA / Status: On track
Terms of Reference developed (waiting final sign off)
Initial discussions with potential panel representative
Formal EoI /appointments yet to commence
Other
China Town prospectus development / Prospectus completed. Ongoing conversations re China Town.
Investor briefings / Various presentations to Chinese investor groups and other individual traders/potential operators
Project briefings & presentations / Various stakeholder groups. G21, MAV conference. Engineers Australia, The Gordon, Deakin University
Work Cover discussions / Initial meetings with Work Cover to discuss project facilitation
Project Committee representation / Geelong Station Investment strategy PCG (ongoing)
Johnstone Park Integrated Water Landscape Master Plan Reference Group
Project inputs / Comments on Liquor Licensing Policy development brief
Comments on SPPF/ MSS review
Public art projects
PTV station DDA bridge project
Ongoing meetings / Staff from Strategic Projects, Central Geelong Marketing, Enterprise Geelong and City Development
Agency briefings / Meeting with Barwon Water re permit referral conditions

Central Geelong PRIORTY ACTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS

Recommendation:

That the Special Committee:

1)Endorse the Priority Action Advisory Committee appointments as identified in this report;

2)Approve the Manager Central Geelong Action Plan appointing or co-opting additional Advisory Committee representation as appropriate.

Background

The adopted Central Geelong Action Plan proposed a governance structure comprising a Special Committee and 4 Priority Action Advisory Committees to support the implementation of the Action Plan. The Priority Action Advisory Committees are tasked with providing technical or specialist advice, knowledge and guidance, establishing stakeholder involvement and participation and championing one or more of the 10 priority action projects identified in the Central Geelong Action Plan. The Priority Action Advisory Committees will support both the Task Force team and the Special Committee.

The Committee Terms of Reference provide for a maximum of 10 members (with a minimum of 6 members) to be appointed to each Advisory Committee comprising a mix of Local Government, State Government and private sector representatives with the appropriate skill sets to drive and support specific actions and including one of the Special Committee independent experts as chair.

Priority Action Advisory Committee / Action Plan Priority Projects
Transport and infrastructure / Public transport and City loop bus
Connecting people and places
Health and education / Town and gown
Integrated health and wellbeing project
Place making / City heart
Greening Central Geelong
An arts and events city
Investment attraction / Investment attraction
Making our assets work harder
Postcode 3220

It is anticipated that each of the Priority Action Advisory Committees will continue for a period of up to 4 years.

The committees will meet irregularly aligned to specific project milestones given each of the action priorities are at different stages of design, planning and finding. It is anticipated that the committees will meet between 4 and 10 times per year. Meetings will take place in a central Geelong venue typically during the day with some meetings occurring in the early evening.

Specific operational guidelines for the advisory committees will be established by the Special Committee following its appointment.

The roles of advisory committee members include:

  • Bring technical skills and experience relevant to the Advisory Committee project(s) focus that enable projects to be enhanced and advanced to implementation;
  • Help address project barriers and encourage relevant industry sector inputs;
  • Support engagement and networking activities to promote project work;
  • Promote and champion projects generally and within ‘home’ organisations and encourage organisations to leverage off project opportunities.

Committee members will be expected to:

  • abide by the obligations of the Advisory Committee;
  • act in accordance with Council’s values;
  • act honestly and in good faith;
  • participate in the work of the Advisory Board;
  • perform their duties in a manner that public trust in the integrity, objectivity, and impartiality of the Advisory Committee is conserved and enhanced;
  • exercise the care, diligence and skill that would be expected of a reasonable person in comparable circumstances;
  • respect any confidentiality requirements and advise when expressing a “company/organisation” position;
  • comply with Council’s Code of Conduct.

Skill sets sought are as follows:

Transport and infrastructure / Transport – including public transport, active transport
Infrastructure planning
Health and education / Health industry development and facilities planning
Education, research and training development and facilities planning
Place making / Urban planning, design and architecture
Landscape architecture
Event organisation and management
Arts and culture
Investment attraction / Investment attraction
Business development and analysis
Major centre promotion
Building and Planning development
Retailing/accommodation/entertainment sector experience

Expressions of Interest for roles on the Advisory Committee were sought over February/March 2014.All applications were assessed against the following criteria:

  • Well developed skills and extensive experience in one or more of the identified desired skill sets pertinent to the relevant Priority Action Advisory Committee;
  • Level of involvement, interest and knowledge of Central Geelong challenges, development and opportunities;
  • Ability to make a significant positive contribution to the committees purpose and activities;
  • Ability to leverage investment or participation from private or public sectors and networks aligned to the objectives and actions of the Central Geelong Action Plan;
  • Thorough understanding of the role and commitment required of advisory committee members and the Central Geelong Action Plan.

Discussion

The following table identifies the candidates recommended for appointment to the relevant Advisory Committees:

Transport & Infrastructure
Vicki Shelton / CoGG Manager Engineering Services
Richard McNay / Macs Action Vehicles
Jozef Vass / Transport Coordination Manager DTPLI
Sam Pirotta / Manager Planning VicRoads
Katrina Hynes / PTV Network Planning
Karen Pritchard / CoGG Community Development
Monica Walters / Health Planning/Policy
Paul Westcott / PTUA
Health & Education
Trevor Day / Deakin University
Chris George / The Gordon
Jade Mitchell / TAC
Place Making
Susanne Prosser / CoGG Youth Planning
Jill Smith / GPAC
Tony Overman / Barwon Water
Ed Ewers / Ed Ewers Architecture
Melanie Cassidy / CoGG Urban Design
Shari Carlyon / CoGG Community Development
Samantha Dellamarta / Experience in planning for children friendly cities
Aaron Garrett / DSDBI
Investment Attraction
Neville Richards / Geelong Commercial Real Estate
Jodie Reyntjes / Central Geelong Marketing
Graham Parton / Enterprise Geelong Board
Dean Lupton / Banking services
Keelie Hamilton / CoGG Enterprise Geelong
Richard Milne / RDV

Geelong ADVANCEMENT FUND PROPOSAL UPDATE

Recommendation:

That the report be noted.

Report

Council has recently lodged a final funding application with Regional Development Victoria (RDV) for $3m to match a Council budget allocation of $3m under the Geelong Advancement Fund.

The proposed project seeks to create a destination food and entertainment precinct between Malop and Ryrie Street (between Gheringhap and Moorabool Streets) building on the Central Geelong Action Plan’s focus on developing laneways, creating mid block linkages to enhance permeability from the health precinct to the waterfront/education precinct and commencing the green spine.

The project proposes:

  • Initial Malop Street green spine works between Clare and Moorabool Street;
  • Public realm improvements in Little Malop and key laneways (Dennys Place and Shorts Place) and James Street and development of strategic linkages.

A copy of the Expression of Interest application is included in the induction pack. The final application included additional financial assessment of the benefits of the project in leveraging private investment and more detailed project planning.

A final application was lodged with RDV on the 18th July and is currently being assessed. Advice on the outcome of the application is anticipated in the next 2 months. It is anticipated the project will take in the order of 18 to 20 months to deliver from approval including detailed design, consultation and engagement, procurement and construction.

A further report will be provided following GAF funding announcement.

CENTRAL GEELONG STRATEGIC SITES DEVELOPMENT INVESTMENT STRATEGYUPDATE

Recommendation:

Thatthe report be noted.

Report

Council recently received matching funding from Regional Development Victoria (RDV) to undertake a strategic analysis of ten (10) government (local and state) and two (2) private strategic sites located in Central Geelong. The purpose of the work is to identify appropriate, feasible development outcomes on a number of designated sites which would leverage private investment, promote the further activation of the centre in line with the Central Geelong Action Plan and support the potential development of a future Geelong Advancement Fund application.

The strategic sites identified for examination included:

  • Haymarket Site (Council site) - 140 Myers Street
  • Lt Ryrie Carpark Site (Council site) - 35–47 Little Ryrie Street
  • Little Malop Street Carpark (Council site) – 154-160 Little Malop Street
  • Civic Accommodation Site (Council site) – 137-149 Mercer Street including 20 Gheringhap Street
  • Deakin Carpark site (Deakin owned site) – 68 – 92 Western Beach Road
  • Carlton Hotel site (private owner) – 19 Malop Street
  • Civic Car Park Site (Council site) – 21 Gheringhap
  • Busport (Council site) – 30 Brougham Street
  • Government Services Site (state government site) – 100-104 Mercer Street
  • Geelong Railway Station – Latrobe Terrace (state government site) - Brougham Street – Gordon Avenue
  • Hearn Parade (Crown Land) – current notional Convention Centre site
  • Yarra Street Pier/GYC precinct (Crown Land).

DARMS property group were awarded the project following a select tender process.

A Project Steering Group (PSG) is providing overview of the project and includes representatives from Council (Property Services and Strategic projects) and RDV.

The project has reached final report stage. Three (3) priority sites (Council owned) have been identified as having a high level of market interest and project feasibility. This follows a series of interviews, surveys and direct consultation with development sector interests. Another recommendation includes taking a portfolio approach with a number of council assets. A contact variation is currently being examined by RDV to undertake this additional key piece of work.

The final Strategy is still confidential pending PSG signoff, however a further report will be provided to the Special Committee following the completion of the strategy including consultant briefing of the findings.

ACTIVITY CENTRE ZONE REVIEW & VICSMART

Recommendation:

That the report be noted.

Background

Council on the 8 July resolved to request the Minister to:

  • Introduce VicSmart provisions to the Activity Centre Zone
  • Work with Council to facilitate a ministerial amendment to introduce changes to the Activity Centre Zone applying to Central Geelong.

The full council report is included in the induction pack. This report is derived from the report.

The adopted Central Geelong Action Plan flagged changes to the zoning provisions relating to Central Geelong, specifically the Activity Centre Zone, to provide for a more facilitative development framework consistent with the objectives and principles of the Action Plan.

The Minister for Planning has recently identified the opportunity to apply new state wide VicSmart provisions, a new streamlined application process, to Central Geelong. The key elements of VicSmart are 10 day turnaround times for permits (except where further information is required), the CEO or delegate is the responsible authority for the application (not the council) and notice and third party appeal rights do not apply.

The new state-wide VicSmart provisions do not apply to the Activity Centre Zone. Consequently a planning scheme amendment is required to apply them. It is recommended that statewide VicSmart provisions for commercial zones and the Capital City Zone relating to subdivision, signage, and loading provisions apply to Central Geelong. It is also recommended to increase the state-wide dollar value for buildings and work applications from $50,000 to $250,000 to reflect the higher costs associated with commercial centre works for shop front alterations etc. The statewide standard for parking reduction is also proposed to be increased above 5 bays for existing building reuse in Central Geelong while an additional provision for liquor licenses associated with restaurants and cafes is proposed between 7.00am and 11.00pm.

A substantial review of the Activity Centre zone which is more in keeping with the Capital City zone and recently reformed Commercial 1 zone is proposed. Recommended changes include:

  • Simplification of permit triggers so that Section 1 uses (uses which do not require permits) are less constrained by precinct location conditions;
  • Removal of all notice and review provisions;
  • Restructure of the zone schedule to make it easier to navigate and interpret key provisions;
  • Simplify some of the application requirements.

Application class / State VicSmart application / Local VicSmart application in ACZ
Subdivision – boundary realignment between 2 lots / All residential, industrial and commercial zones / Yes
Subdivision of existing building/car space / All residential (except low density), industrial and commercial zones / Yes
2 lot subdivision of approved/commenced development / All residential (except low density), industrial and commercial zones / Yes
Construct buildings or works of up to $50,000 / Mixed use zone and all industrial and commercial zones / Yes – up to $250,000 – apply variation of ACZ application and decision guidelines
Applications in HO including subdivision classes above, most existing minor applications exempt from notice including external alterations to non contributory buildings, signage, demolition of outbuildings etc and solar energy facility on a dwelling / Heritage Overlay / Automatically applies, no change required.
Note: current lack of clear designation of ‘non – contributory’ places in heritage study reference documents does not readily enable inclusion of external alterations and repairs and routine maintenance without a review of the heritage reference documents and related policy.
Subdivision (as above) and buildings and works in an SBO / Special Building Overlay note: requires referral authority advice (CCMA) to be lodged with application / Automatically applies, no change required.
To display a sign which is not within 30m of a residential zone, is not one of a number of specific signs (including pole, sky, internally illuminated etc) and do not exceed 10m2 / All industrial and commercial zones / Yes
Note: The ACZ currently has the highest category of signage allowance without a permit (conditioned in most cases to a maximum size and number) this includes a single internally illuminated under verandah sign.
Reduce car parking spaces by up to 5 / All Zones / Reduce (including reduce to zero) the number of carparking spaces required associated with a Section 1 use of an existing building and where there is no net loss of existing sitecarparking
Reduce loading provisions / All Zones / Automatically applies, no change required.
Other non VicSmart identified application types / Restaurant and Café liquor license within the hours of 7.00am to 11.00pm

The Central Geelong Action Plan flagged changes to the zoning provisions relating to Central Geelong, specifically the Activity Centre Zone, to provide for a more facilitative planning framework consistent with the objectives and principles of the Action Plan.

The current Activity Centre Zone while cumbersome in its current format, has benefits over other planning controls:

  • It is a purpose specific zone and has been in place for 12 months and is understood by the development community and has provided for a consolidation of controls (zones and overlays);
  • Does not require the development of a new zone. For example the Capital City Zone which applies to Melbourne’s CBD cannot be used in other centres as its purpose does not fit alternate centres. Developing a variant or new zone would require a major change to the Victorian Planning Provisions and would need to be developed and introduced by the Minister adding significantly to the implementation timeframe;
  • Other zones such as a Special Use Zone or Commercial Zone do not either reflect the primacy of Central Geelong’s role over other commercial zones or have the flexibility of the Activity centre Zone i.e the ability to exempt notice under other provisions (i.e Heritage Overlay) or exempt requirements under other scheme provisions;
  • Would not require the reintroduction of a Design and Development Overlay in addition to an alternate zone.

It is proposed to prepare a planning scheme amendment which provides for a number of major changes to the ACZ to ensure that it is comparable with the purpose with the Capital City Zone and more facilitative of use and development than the Commercial 1 zone. The zone schedule will be simplified making it clearer for developers to understand Council’s vision for Central Geelong.