Central Geelong Task Force Special Committee Report
24 July 2014
Page 1
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 Status: Completed.
Year 1 actions identified in CGAP
17 projects funded
Geelong Advancement Fund application – Malop to Ryrie precinct
Project scoping & development
Status: On track
Expression of interest application and EoI application approved.
RDV presentation
Final application lodged 18/7.
Final application
Progressing strategic site discussions
Capital Projects project manager appointed.
Zoning review
Development of VicSmart amendment Status: On track
materials
VicSmart report adopted by Council and
ACZ provisions review
20(4) application lodged with Minister
Preparation of report
Council briefing
Strategic Sites opportunities study
Funding application to RDV
Status: On track
Consultants appointed
Final report 95% complete
Consultant and PSG management and Currently expanding project scope
stakeholder briefings
examine follow up implementation
to
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 Status: on track
resources and project plan
Manager recruitment process underway
Initial project resources planning commenced
Central Geelong Task Force Special Committee Report
24 July 2014
Page 2
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
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
Policy
Central Geelong Task Force Special Committee Report
24 July 2014
Page 3
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:
Central Geelong Task Force Special Committee Report
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24 July 2014
Page 4
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.
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Committee members will be expected to:
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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.
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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;
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Level of involvement, interest and knowledge of Central Geelong
challenges, development and opportunities;
Central Geelong Task Force Special Committee Report
24 July 2014
Page 5
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Ability to make a significant positive contribution to the committees
purpose and activities;
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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;
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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
Central Geelong Task Force Special Committee Report
24 July 2014
Page 6
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 Task Force Special Committee Report
24 July 2014
Page 7
CENTRAL GEELONG STRATEGIC SITES DEVELOPMENT INVESTMENT
STRATEGY UPDATE
Recommendation:
That the 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:
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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.
Central Geelong Task Force Special Committee Report
24 July 2014
Page 8
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 state wide 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 state wide
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:
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Simplification of permit triggers so that Section 1 uses (uses which do not require
permits) are less constrained by precinct location conditions;
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Removal of all notice and review provisions;
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Restructure of the zone schedule to make it easier to navigate and interpret key
provisions;
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Simplify some of the application requirements.
Central Geelong Task Force Special Committee Report
24 July 2014
Page 9
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
approved/commenced
development
of
All residential (except low
density),
industrial
and
commercial zones
Yes
Construct
buildings
works of up to $50,000
or
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.
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 10m 2
All industrial and commercial
zones
Yes
Reduce car parking spaces
by up to 5
All Zones
Reduce (including reduce to zero) the
number of car parking spaces required
associated with a Section 1 use of an
existing building and where there is no net
loss of existing site car parking
Reduce loading provisions
All Zones
Automatically applies, no change required.
Other non VicSmart
identified application types
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.
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.
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:
Central Geelong Task Force Special Committee Report
24 July 2014
Page 10
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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);
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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;
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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;
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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.
The proposed changes include:
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Table of uses – consolidating a range of like uses (accommodation, office, retail
premises) and reducing or removing conditions that limit specific uses to specific
sub precincts;
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Notice and third party appeals – it is proposed to implement the Task Force
Special Committee preference to provide for the complete removal of notice,
objection and appeal provisions for all applications. This change will significantly
reduce permit decision timeframes and minimise costs for applicants and council
but represents a significant change in current practice. An alternative approach is
to remove notice provisions for specific use or development however this is likely
to be less effective;
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Schedule content and structure – simplify schedule provisions relating to
application requirements and decision guidelines, include all centre wide
provisions at the front of the schedule ahead of the precinct provisions;
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Notice provisions for other scheme provisions – remove notice provisions applying
to the Heritage Overlay, car parking provisions etc;
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Other consequential scheme changes to particular provisions such as clause
52.01 to reduce subdivision open space contributions for residential purposes to a
maximum of 1%, identifying non contributory buildings, provide for further local
VicSmart provisions or MSS/Local Planning Policy applying to Central Geelong to
ensure strategic alignment.