WARRNAMBOOL PLANNING SCHEME
21.11 INFRASTRUCTURE 19/01/2006 VC37
Overview
Transport
Warrnambool is advantageously located on a National Highway Route, as well as the Hopkins Highway. Ready access is provided to the neighbouring centres of Portland, Hamilton, Colac, as well as Ballarat, Geelong and Melbourne, by a highway and main road network. Raglan Parade (Princes Highway) and Mortlake Road (Hopkins Highway) provide notable entrances to the Central Activities District. The City is connected to the state rail network, providing access to Camperdown, Colac, Geelong, Melbourne and beyond. West Coast Railway provides an excellent standard of public rail passenger transport. V/Line Freight and private transport companies provide rail freight services. Warrnambool City Council operates an aerodrome north of the City which is used for emergency air links, freight facilities for local producers, and has the potential to be developed for commuter service.
Water & Sewerage
The regional centre is serviced by reticulated water sourced from the Otway Ranges. The existing supply is reaching capacity and consideration should be given to an upgrade of infrastructure or alternative water sources within the next decade. The South West Water sewerage treatment system was recently upgraded and is able to meet the needs of the community for the foreseeable future.
Community Services
Warrnambool has an extensive range of education, community and health services which enhance the lifestyle of local residents. Private and public education facilities are available from pre-school to secondary college level. The South West Institute of TAFE is located within the town centre whilst the Warrnambool campus of Deakin University and associated student accommodation is located on the eastern outskirts of the City A comprehensive range of specialist medical and extended care services are present in Warrnambool, primarily at the Warrnambool and District Base Hospital, Lyndoch and St. John of God Hospital. The Warrnambool and District Base Hospital and South West Institute of TAFE are located in the southern area of the CAD. Both facilities have good access to public transport and other City services, and contribute to the vitality of the City. The following community services are currently provided by the Warrnambool City Council: 7 Pre-schools with 420 children enrolled and a funded Koori program at South Warrnambool Pre-school. A Children’s Outreach Program that provides Pre-school Field Officers who support families and staff and are involved with the additional needs of children who attend Pre-schools. A Children’s Services Resource Development Officer, to support families and staff involved with additional needs children who access Child Care, Family Day Care, After School Programs and Holiday Programs.
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A Maternal and Child Health program that provides the services of birth notifications, new enrollments, home visits and Centre Consultations. A comprehensive immunization program. A Maternal & Child Health Outreach Program. The child care support services include: 3 Centres (one being an integrated Children’s Services Complex including Maternal & Child Health). Service for in excess of 300 children in care. In respect of Family Day Care, Council provides: A service for approximately 750 families and 1100 children extending into the Moyne and Corangamite Shires. Short term respite care. The Home and Community Care Program provides: Home and Community Care to over 900 homes in Warrnambool with a diverse target group.
Recreation
There is a wide range of passive and active recreational opportunities available to residents and visitors to Warrnambool. There are major sporting ovals at Albert Park Reserve and the Warrnambool Racecourse east of this complex. Horse racing is a significant activity in the City, which also has a trotting track, as well as a dog racing facility. The Premier Speedway at Allansford hosts a range of events. There is also a range of indoor sporting venues. The Lake Gillear area is used for a range of sporting activities, including motor cross, and go kart racing. It is also the site for a proposed rifle range. The lake itself is a significant nature reserve. The Botanical Gardens, beaches and Lake Pertobe are available for public use and enjoyment, and a series of local parks service neighbourhood communities.
Cultural and Entertainment
The Performing Arts Centre and Art Gallery, located in Liebig Street in a Civic Precinct, provides a regional platform for cultural events and the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum is a significant community asset, operating as a tourist attraction and educational resource. The proposed Great Southern Marine Centre will provide a further cultural and tourist attraction. A significant entertainment precinct including restaurants taverns and hotels is evolving, focused on the southern end of Liebig street, adjacent to the Civic buildings.
Heritage
The Heritage assets of Warrnambool are a significant feature. Warrnambool has had a Heritage Study and a system of planning controls in place for some time. It is the intention of Council to review the existing Heritage study, and extend the Heritage controls to appropriate sites in the former Shire area.
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Gaming
Warrnambool has an extensive range of both gaming venues and machines. It is Council Policy to discourage further expansion.
Issues
To ensure that infrastructure effectively meets community needs. A further issue for the long term future of Warrnambool may be the possible future shortage of water and the ability to provide additional storage capacity in the catchment area.
Other
The site of the former Brierly Hospital on the north eastern outskirts of the City has long term potential for the development of education, sporting and recreational facilities, in association with existing sporting facilities at nearby Albert Park. Residential development may occur on the balance of the land.
Objectives
Maintain an efficient and comprehensive range of community facilities. Expand the hospital and TAFE services to maintain Warrnambool’s role as a major service provider in South West Victoria. Maintain the Princes Highway as the major boulevard entrance to Warrnambool and develop and maintain the Hopkins Highway as a secondary major boulevard entrance to Warrnambool. Encourage development in locations where a range of infrastructure and appropriate community services are available. Where reticulated sewer is not available, ensure that a high standard of effluent disposal is achieved and that all waste water is retained within the site. Ensure that new developments in the small settlements and the urban/rural interface are adequately designed and serviced to take into account the risk of uncontrolled fire. Maintain and enhance public transport to and within Warrnambool. Provide facilities and services which satisfy the range of community needs for children, youth and the aged. Promote Warrnambool as a centre for educational excellence. Provide a network of open space and recreation facilities, which reflects the needs of local communities within the City. Establish over the medium to longer term, shared pathways for pedestrian and bicycle users between major activity areas including along the foreshore, between Proudfoots Boathouse and the University, and between the City and Allansford along the Princes Highway reservation. Provide a range of recreational, cultural and entertainment facilities which serve the needs of all age groups in the community through South West Victoria. Discourage any further expansion of gaming venues or machines within Warrnambool.
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Enhance and develop existing sporting and recreational facilities which will attract national events. Protect the Premier Speedway at Allansford from encroachment by residential development. To encourage the development of part of the former Brierly Hospital site for sporting and other recreational purposes, in addition to residential development.
Strategies
Maintain the Warrnambool and District Base Hospital, and the St. John of God Hospital as essential assets for the community, balanced with maintaining an appropriate residential environment for the surrounding areas, by implementing a master plan for the area. Expand the TAFE facilities without prejudicing the heritage values of the campus. Develop an entertainment precinct in Warrnambool based around the south end of Liebig Street. Improve the linkages of the Deakin campus with the City and maximise opportunities for university related business opportunities. Improve the major road entrances to Warrnambool to provide significant boulevard entrances to the City. Complete the study into the future development of Albert Park. Complete the study on the location of a future indoor sports centre for Warrnambool. Develop the former Brierly Hospital site, primarily as a residential, community facility and recreation area.
These strategies will be implemented by:
Applying the Sewerage Treatment Plant Local Policy (Clause 22.04-6). Implementing Council’s policies on car parking and bicycles and pedestrian networks. Implementing Council’s Local Policy on Gaming venues and/or machines. Applying heritage controls where appropriate, to any expansion and additions to TAFE to maintain the integrity of the heritage buildings. Ensuring the Base Hospital conforms with an overall master plan with an appropriate level of car parking. Applying local policies to guide development to areas where infrastructure is available. Completing a local policy that sets out guidelines for the achievement of boulevard entrances to Warrnambool.
Other Supporting Actions
Maintain and develop the rail connection, and the bus system for Warrnambool. Ensure an adequate water supply is able to be obtained locally for consumption and fire fighting purposes, where reticulated water is unavailable. Ensure appropriate landscaping and beautification of public access areas.
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