Height worries remain as decision looms for Pakington Street

PAKINGTON Street advocates are continuing a fight against “overdevelopment” of the Geelong West precinct as Geelong council nears a final decision for a long-term planning framework.

City of Greater Geelong councillors will shortly decide on an Urban Design Framework (UDF) for Pakington Street North almost a year after voting to defer a decision on the precinct to consult with residents about plans, especially its building heights.

COGG has so far stood firm on its plan to allow two-storey limits in the street’s heritage area up to eight-storey mixed-use buildings at the northern end, especially near the railyard precinct.

Residents say the proposed building heights would heap further pressure on already stressed infrastructure and services, especially for traffic, cause privacy concerns and risk destroying the iconic street’s charm.

Community concern around UDFs have been front and centre of recent council meetings.

Dozens of residents present at the past two monthly meetings to speak and rally against plans for Highton Village, which was decided on last month, and Pakington Street.

A plan for South Geelong was also recently adopted, with a motion from Cr Sarah Mansfield to reduce building heights in line with community wants rejected at September’s meeting.

While the adopted Highton UDF included controls in response to community concerns and was celebrated by its supporters, Geelong West campaigners remain fearful that the city will stand firm on its preferred height controls.

“The recent Highton decision does little to quell our concerns over the Pakington Street North UDF as the push for inappropriate development continues across our community,” spokesperson Jessica Sullivan said.

“There is no indication council will support a reduction in building heights for Pako North despite overwhelming evidence that the city’s plan will create traffic mayhem in Geelong West.”

Objectors have also taken aim at the city’s consultation process during August and September, claiming information provided was aimed at educating concerned residents rather than providing a forum to negotiate a compromise.

Councillors have also acknowledged shortfalls in COGG’s engagement for UDFs generally at recent meetings, with Cr Anthony Aitken noting the acronym had become a “dirty word” across Geelong.

An engagement report released last month indicated 65 per cent of 379 submissions were against current plans, with a further 14 per cent supportive but with reservations.

Building heights (28 per cent), environmental and social issues (24 per cent) and village character (22.5 per cent) were the top concerns.

The Pakington Street North UDF is due for a final decision at COGG’s November meeting, which is scheduled for November 22 at Eastern Hub, on McKillop Street in East Geelong.

The meeting agenda, which would contain an officer’s recommendation on the plan, is due out the Friday before (November 18).