GEELONG
Your City Your Say
City of Greater Geelong
City Plan 2013-2017
Summary of Community Engagement
Kismet Forward, Chit Chat, Richard O'Byrne Community Environment Planning, Firelight Consulting
January 2013
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Table of Contents
Preface
Introduction
Overview of the Engagement
Summary of Consultation
Results
GOVERNANCE
Advocacy and Governance
SUSTAINABLE BUILT AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
A Sustainable Geelong
A Cleaner and Greener Geelong
Public Transport
Managing Urban Development
Infrastructure
GROWING THE ECONOMY
More jobs in Geelong
Support and Attract Diverse Businesses
A Smarter Geelong
Tourism, the Arts and Entertainment
A Safe, Vibrant CBD
COMMUNITY WELLBEING
Youth
Health Facilities and Services
Healthy Lifestyles
Community and Identity
76 Big Ideas Summary
Vines Road Community Centre
Geelong City Hall
Lara Community Centre
Drysdale Potato Shed
Centenary Hall, Norlane
Belmont Civic Centre
CoGG Managers and Coordinators
Cultural and Linguistic Diversity
Disability
Murrenda
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Preface
City Plan is the key document that identifies the priority areas for action by Council over its four-year term to ensure that Geelong remains the very best place to live, not only today, but into the future.
Community engagement has played a key part in the development of the new City Plan 2013-2017.
The City of Greater Geelong would like to thank all those community members that took the time to attend a community workshop, fill out a survey, take part in the online forum or simply tell us their thoughts about the issues and opportunities that are important for their community.
The valuable contributions received have now been collated and considered alongside other evidence and factors to help identify priorities areas for Council to focus on over the next four years.
City Plan 2013-2017 will be adopted as a draft document in May 2013. At this time it will be open to a 28 day public submission period where the community will be able to provide further feedback. The final document will then be adopted in June 2013.
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Introduction
The City of Greater Geelong has for some years undertaken the development of a CouncilPlan (City Plan), which guides Council initiatives and operations for a four year period.
Planning for the City Plan has focussed on continual learning from past experiences and actions (City of Greater Geelong, 2011). Historically, the Council and city staff have been the main contributors to the planning process, with little direct input by externalstakeholders or the community.
With the election of a new Council, City Plan is now due for review in order to map out thedirections for 2013-2017, in accordance with the Local Government Act 1989.
There is now an increased desire, and heightened need, to more meaningfully involvelocal communities in strategic decisions affecting their municipality.
Kismet Forward (with collaborators Chit Chat, Fire Light Consulting and Richard O’ByrneCommunity Environment Planning) were engaged to develop an Engagement Plan (Kismet Forward (2012) Geelong Your City, Your Say Communication and Engagement Plan)to involve communities in the development of the new City Plan and to facilitate theEngagement Plan’s implementation.
This report summarises the outcomes of the implementation of Stage 1 of the consultation,describing the range of opportunities made available to the community, staff and Councillorsto contribute, and the key outputs of this process.
This material will be discussed with CoGG decision makers to ensure that the City Planis responsive to community feedback.
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Overview of theEngagement
The development of the City Plan presented a significant opportunity for community members and stakeholders to actively contribute to the shaping of their municipality forthe future.
The project’s Engagement Plan proposed a range of opportunities for people to participatein this project at a level appropriate to their interests: from digesting online material tohelp them understand the project and the process to be employed, through to activeparticipation in workshops that will provide input into the future management of themunicipality.
The Engagement Roadmap (Appendix A) sets out the stages of engagement and howthey integrate with the process of the City Plan development.
In short, Engagement Stage 1 involved:
•An initial workshop with CoGG Council;
•Six community workshops at Belmont, Drysdale, Geelong CBD, Hamlyn Heights, Lara and Norlane;
•Tailored workshops with Indigenous, disability groups and ethnic communities;
•A dedicated website including online forum (across 6 questions) and survey;
•A hardcopy survey (featuring the same questions as the online survey); and
•One workshop involving City of Greater Geelong leadership (managers and coordinators).
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Summary of Consultation
561people were directly engaged during the consultation period.
They contributed in the following ways:
Face to Face Activities
Event :Councillor Planning Workshop}
Date : 22:23/11/2012
Location : Barwon Heads
Number of Participants : 18
Event : Community workshop
Date : 27/11/2012
Location : Hamlyn Heights
Number of Participants : 15
Event : Community workshop
Date : 1/12/2012
Location : Geelong CBD
Number of Participants : 12
Event : Community workshop
Date : 5/12/2012
Location : Lara
Number of Participants : 40
Event : Community workshop
Date : 6/12/2012
Location : Drysdale
Number of Participants : 15
Event : Community workshop
Date : 11/12/2012
Location : Norlane
Number of Participants : 9
Event : Community workshop
Date : 12/12/2012
Location : Belmont
Number of Participants : 16
Event : CoGG Managers and Coordinators
Date : 14/12/2012
Location : Geelong Conference Centre
Number of Participants : 70
Event : Special Interest Groups
Date : 19/1/13
Location : ethnic communities
Number of Participants : 34
Event : Special Interest Groups
Date : 21/1/13
Location : disability groups
Number of Participants : 6
Event : Special Interest Groups
Date : 21/1/13
Location : (Murrenda Aboriginal Community Care) Diversitat, City Hall, Grovedale
Number of Participants : 7
TOTAL Number of Participants : 242
In addition, material was drawn from the Drysdale Clifton Springs Community
Town Summit Survey (SpringDale Neighbourhood Centre (2012) Drysdale Clifton Springs Community Town Summit Survey Respondents Statistics) , which involved a further 335 people.
Online (and other)
Online Forum : Comments on questions posed : 41 People providing input
Online Forum :774 views of comments
Survey : Online Survey Takers : 160 People providing input
Survey : Hardcopy Survey Takers : 118 People providing input
Website general : 1056 Visitors
Website general : 2845 Site Visits
Website general : 5468 Page Views
Website general : 505 Documents downloaded
TOTAL : 319 People providing input
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Results
9888 individual comments were received.
The contributions made by hundreds of Geelong people arrived in many forms: by thesurvey, through workshops and online. Some people wrote pages of information; othersjust a comment on butcher’s paper. All these inputs were recorded and analysed.
Each issue raised by a person was given equal weight, and as far as possible classifiedunder each of the City Plan Strategic Directions: Community Wellbeing; Growing theEconomy; and Sustainable Built and Natural Environment. In addition, comments werereceived about the general operations of Council, its decisions and implementation.These were classified under a Governance heading.
Obviously, some issues cross-cut the Strategic Directions. For example, the provision ofbicycle paths is just as relevant as a health issue under the Community Wellbeing theme,as it is under Sustainable Built and Natural Environment. It will be important to recognisethat some issues may provide multiple benefits to the community.
The analysis of issues cannot pretend to give a completely accurate picture of the thoughtsand desires of all people in Geelong. This report can only represent the views of thosewho were prepared to participate; and will be broadly indicative of the relative weight ofviews.
The analysis has been consolidated under 15 main issue themes, each of which wasbroadly raised during the consultation process. It is evident that these issues were raisedin all forums, regardless of the medium, geographic location. Points raised under each ofthese themes are discussed over the following pages.
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GOVERNANCE
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Advocacy andGovernance
Community members were outspoken about their desire for Council to advocate in their interests, and to embrace a future with employment transition challenges, better environmental opportunities, and a desire for improved health services, public safety and lifestyle. CoGG managers challenged themselves to create stronger, more authentic connections with the community, to be more responsible, and to encourage a culture of innovation and creativity. Both community and managers felt that they were over-governed by regulation, but generally understood the need for accountability.
Graph
Advocate for Improved Heath Services and Wellbeing : 335
Advocate for Improved Public Safety : 288
Culture, Services, Value for Money : 79
Advocate for State/Federal Government/Partnership Support : 63
Encourage Innovation and Efficiency : 20
TOTAL: 785 comments
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SUSTAINABLEBUILT ANDNATURALENVIRONMENT
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A Sustainable Geelong
Sustainability and climate change were identified as significant challenges for the Geelong region. The need to develop green, sustainable practices and industries was strongly emphasised. Renewable energy, both as an industry and within homes and businesses, was also discussed.
Graph
Encourage and Model Sustainability :372
Tackle Climate Change : 109
Facilitate Renewable Energy : 92
Encourage Greener Industries : 74
Improve Sustainability of Homes : 50
TOTAL: 697 comments
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A Cleaner andGreener Geelong
Geelong’s natural environment was commonly described as its greatestasset, but one that is threatened as population and housing growth continues. Opportunities to improve biodiversity and quality of natural and constructed open space areas were identified, as were options to minimise the degrading effects of pollution and waste. The importance of natural streetscapes and community gardens was also discussed; many people thought that relationships with state government departments, developers, community groups and volunteers were critical to an improved environment.
Graph
Improve Streetscapes Aesthetics :448
Protect Biodiversity : 392
Improve Quality of Public Open Space : 256
Better Manage Waste and Pollution : 84
Improve Coasts, Waterways and Wetlands : 84
Support Establishment of Community Gardens : 40
TOTAL:1304 comments
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Public Transport
Many contributors offered suggestions to improve publictransport, stating that this would reduce the dependence oncars and solve parking, accessibility and pollution problems in Geelong. Many of these people understood that the services were not provided by CoGG, but that it has an important advocacy role to play.
Graph
Advocate for Improved Bus Services : 136
Advocate for Improved Trains Services : 102
Promote Other Public Transport Options : 44
TOTAL: 282 comments
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Managing UrbanDevelopment
Comments on this theme encompassed population growth, heritage, urban sprawl, housing density and more. It was a theme that drew many passionate views and some strong consistent themes about ensuring protection of the environment, balancing housing density needs for both the environment and family, and building a robust alternative transport system in and around the city.
Graph
Planning Development and Density : 613
Promote City Living : 92
Better Manage Traffic Flow : 81
Plan for Population Growth and Demographic Shift : 50
Respect Geelong’s Heritage : 42
Revitalise the River Precinct : 5
TOTAL: 883 comments
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Infrastructure
The issue of ageing or stretched infrastructure was a major concern for all participants. But a more complex dilemma seems to be balancing potential and future economic opportunities (e.g. upgrades and expansion of the Ports and Airport) alongside the need for ‘every day’ infrastructure upgrades and maintenance (e.g. Drains, stormwater harvesting, roads, footpaths and underground assets). This theme explored both sides of this dilemma.
Graph
Improve Infrastructure : 171
Build the Potential of the Airport : 64
Better Manage Grey Water, Stormwater and Floods : 29
Improve/Build Ports and Harbours : 28
TOTAL: 292 comments
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GROWING THE ECONOMY
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More Jobs in Geelong
There is strong and widespread support for creating more jobs in Geelong, recognising a shift from the traditional manufacturing base to jobs in the knowledge, education and tourism sectors. There is a recognition that this will have to come from a variety of sources – big business; strong support for small/medium businesses, and the need for innovation through partnerships.
Graph
Transition From Jobs in Manufacturing : 301
Facilitate Employment in Environmental Sustainability and Tourism Sectors : 115
Transition to Jobs in Knowledge and Education : 56
Facilitate Employment Growth : 39
TOTAL: 511 comments
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Support and AttractDiverse Businesses
There was universal agreement on the need to support and attractdiverse businesses to Geelong to provide jobs and keep the economy healthy. People wanted a thriving regional city sustained by locals, promoting local goods and services, that makes the most of Geelong’s diverse environments. There were many and diverse ideas about how to achieve this.
Graph
Promote Growth, Economic Development and Efficiency : 556
Support Local Business : 230
Attract New Businesses : 92
Protect Agriculture and Food Security : 52
TOTAL: 930 comments
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A Smarter Geelong
Education and innovation were recognised as extremely importantto the Geelong region, providing opportunities for employment,training and university studies. Funding cuts to The Gordon werea significant concern. Transforming Geelong to a university town,building Geelong’s reputation for research and innovation, andimproving opportunities for lifelong community learning, were alsodiscussed.
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Facilitate Lifelong Learning : 124
Develop a Skilled City : 110
Build a University City : 54
Develop an Innovative City : 42
TOTAL: 330 comments
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Tourism, the Artsand Entertainment
Geelong was identified as an important gateway to the Bellarine and beyondand many felt that Geelong already has many great assets that attract a rangeof visitors and artists to the area. Further building on activities, events andentertainment opportunities as well as arts and community-based activitieswere needed to further promote Geelong. It was also identified that investingin the arts including supporting artists and community members to embracethe arts would assist in building Geelong’s identity and community spirit.
Graph
Support Small Scale Community Activities : 182
Attract Tourism : 168
Build Arts and Entertainment : 73
Develop Events for the Whole Family : 49
TOTAL: 472 comments
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A Safe, Vibrant CBD
Many contributors saw revitalising the Geelong CBD as not onlydesirable but also a necessary part of the future for Geelong. Withouta strong, safe and vibrant centre the broader municipality could beseen to be decaying and/or dying and subsequently investment,employment and economies would be severely disadvantaged.
Graph
Reinvigorate the CBD : 363
Improve Public Safety : 151
Better Manage Cars and Trucks in the CBD : 51
Improve Parking Opportunities: 51
TOTAL: 616 comments
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COMMUNITY WELLBEING
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Youth
Tertiary education, obesity and social connections were identifiedas the three main concerns facing the Geelong region’s youngpeople. Opportunities included improved sporting options,greater facilities for social interaction, and increased access tofurther education.
Graph
Improve Physical and Mental Health : 35
Increase Opportunities for Socialising : 23
Advocate Tertiary Education : 20
TOTAL: 78 comments
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Health Facilitiesand Services
Health facilities and services in Geelong are highly valued butthe need for more facilities and services was consistently raised.Common themes were around better planning for services andfacilities to match changing demographics, improving accessand affordability and early prevention.
Graph
Develop Skills and Partnerships : 223
Promote Healthy Living : 218
Meet the Needs of the Vulnerable : 172
Develop Healthy Communities : 62
Improve Child Health : 55
TOTAL: 740 comments
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Healthy Lifestyles
Creating a healthy and vibrant community through promoting active living was considered important to community members and managers. This included better health promotion, improved access to active and passive recreation facilities and increasing walking and cycling options. It was also thought that more could be done to reduce drug and alcohol use and to improve housing options for the whole community.
Graph
Prevention and Health Promotion : 713
Improve Walking and Cycling Paths : 350
Encourage Active Living : 217
Balanced Lifestyles and Improved Mental Health Outcomes : 59
Provide Better Housing Opportunities : 37
TOTAL: 1376 comments
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Community and Identity
The community and Council managers were united in their aim for a more inclusive, progressive and unified community. Many people expressed a great love for Geelong, its natural attributes and strengths. However, there was also an awareness of continuing racism, prejudice, inequality and unfairness in the City. Both managers and the community felt Council had a role to play in promoting harmony and inclusion for all sectors of the community including marginalised groups, and that this would enhance community health and wellbeing. There is also a strong commitment to volunteering, and the idea of community hubs won support. People generally wanted to strengthen community involvement in recreational and competitive sports, music and other performing arts, the visual arts and crafts, and multicultural activities and festivals.
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Build Community Connectedness : 220
Build our Regional Identity : 157
Support Community Groups and Volunteering : 107
Encourage Equality and Inclusion : 107
TOTAL: 591 comments
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76 BIG IDEAS
Summary of ‘Big Ideas’
from Community Workshops
27 November 2012 – 21 January 2013
During the consultations the community and council managers were asked on two occasions at every workshop to collectively review their notes from their conversations. Templates were provided and groups were asked to highlight the key ideas that had come out of their discussions. These 76 ideas represent a summary of the feedback provided by all participants at the face to face conversations.
Workshop Summaries
Vines Road Community Centre
Geelong City Hall
Lara Community Centre
Drysdale Potato Shed
Centenary Hall, Norlane
Belmont Civic Centre
CoGG Managers and Coordinators
Cultural and Linguistic Diversity
Disability
Murrenda
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VINES ROAD COMMUNITY CENTRE WORKSHOP
27 November 2012