Central Geelong Framework Plan released

THE final Central Geelong Framework Plan has been released and is in effect as of today (Wednesday, March 1).

The document – subtitled “A Plan for the heart of Djilang” – focuses on the growth and development of Geelong’s city centre, providing direction for future building design and scale.

The plan is a long-term strategic plan to support growth and appropriate change in central Geelong over the next three decades.

It is intended to support central Geelong’s transition into a modern, connected, liveable, prosperous and environmentally sustainable place across nine interconnected precincts.

Continued improvements to the city’s streets and public spaces are also set out in the plan, as are actions for the improvement of public transport.

“By 2050, Central Geelong is home to 16,000 people and 60,000 jobs,” the plan’s vision states.
“It is the heart of Djilang (Geelong), Victoria’s second-largest city, with strengths in health, services, education and events.
“People are connected to its waterfront, high-amenity lifestyle and clever, creative culture.”

The plan has 20 objectives, which fall under four themes.

A thriving economy and job creation:

• Establish Central Geelong as a national, state and regional centre accommodating 60,000 jobs
• Maintain and enhance Central Geelong as a vibrant retail, hospitality, arts and cultural hub
• Create diverse housing choices to accommodate 16,000 residents
• Provide adequate social and affordable housing to meet the needs of a growing community
• Strengthen Central Geelong’s role as a clever, creative city and a destination for visitors and major events.

A connection to place:

• Ensure built form outcomes reflect each precinct’s preferred character and amenity
• Ensure built form is of an appropriate scale when viewed from its surrounds and from a distance
• Master plan and coordinate the development of strategic development sites
• Celebrate, protect and appropriately interpret Aboriginal cultural heritage
• Retain, preserve and protect Central Geelong’s heritage built form fabric and character.

Getting around with ease:

• Make Central Geelong more walkable and safer
• Provide safe, direct and connected cycling routes
• Refine and undertake phased uplifts to Central Geelong’s public transport network
• Develop the Geelong Station Precinct into a world-class transport hub
• Strategically manage the provision of car parking.

A vibrant city life:

• Ensure buildings provide high-quality, interactive interfaces to the street
• Protect existing and provide new high-quality, accessible open space
• Provide high-quality streetscape environments
• Provide social infrastructure and utilities to meet growing needs
• Encourage sustainable development that responds to climate change.

Preferred maximum building heights are between 16 metres and 60 metres.

The plan provides capacity for 60,000 jobs and 16,000 residents by 2050, compared to the existing 20,000 jobs and 2,500 residents in central Geelong.

Through high quality urban design and appropriate protections against excessive overshadowing and better protection for heritage buildings, the city will maintain and enhance its urban amenity and unique character.

The plan has been informed by consultations with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, the City of Greater Geelong, the Geelong Authority, land holders and the broader community.

The Central Geelong Framework Plan comes into effect today, through an amendment to the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme.

Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny, who toured Geelong’s CBD with Geelong MP Christine Couzens last month, announced the plan’s release this morning.
“Central Geelong is significant to the State and the Barwon region, and better design guidelines will protect important community values and provide greater certainty for investors to plan ahead,” she said.
“We’re ensuring growth in Geelong is appropriate, directed to the right areas and protects what makes our city such a great place,” Ms Couzens added.

For more information on the Central Geelong Framework Plan, head to revitalisingcentralgeelong.vic.gov.au