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Issues Update BARWON HEADS STRUCTURE PLAN UPDATE October 2016 ISSUES PAPER WWW.GEELONGAUSTRALIA.COM.AU Natural environment Introduction PAGE 3 PAGE 29 Barwon Heads Context Flooding and climate change PAGE 4 PAGE 31 Purpose of the Review - The need Infrastructure PAGE 5 PAGE 33 Project Givens Community facilities PAGE 5 PAGE 35 Structure Plan Review Sport and Process PAGE 6-7 recreation PAGE 36 Existing Structure Plan Tourism PAGE 37 Introduction PAGE 8 Have your say PAGE 38 Existing Structure Plan Vision and Directions PAGE 9 Implementation of the 2010 Structure Plan PAGE 11 Demographics PAGE 12 Key Issues PAGE 15 Housing development - managing growth PAGE 16 Housing Building Statistics PAGE 18 Township character PAGE 19 Residential Character PAGE 19 The ‘evolving character’ PAGE 24 Town centre character PAGE 28 Town centre CONTENTS PAGE PAGE 28 WWW.GEELONGAUSTRALIA.COM.AU INTRODUCTION BARWON HEADS STRUCTURE PLAN UPDATE OCTOBER 2016 PAGE 3 BARWON HEADS WHAT IS A STRUCTURE PLAN? CONTEXT A structure plan is the strategic framework for the growth and development of a town or Barwon Heads is a seaside town located on the southern specific area. Structure Plans Bellarine Peninsula at the mouth of the Barwon River. It is located 5km west of Ocean Grove and 18km south east identify: of Geelong city. To the north of the town lies the Barwon River and the Lake Connewarre system. To the west is • strategic planning issues to the Lake Connewarre State Game Reserve, Murtnaghurt manage growth and change Lagoon and the 13th Beach Golf Links Resort. • community visions and Barwon Heads is located between the two growth area aspirations locations of Armstrong Greek to the north west and Ocean Grove to the east. • elements of the town’s Traditionally a quiet retiree and holiday township, its role character and natural has changed over the last three decades. Today the environment to be protected Barwon Heads area is a commuter residential area for Geelong and a popular holiday destination for both holiday • preferred future direction for home owners and daytrippers. new growth, development and infrastructure • a structure plan map A structure plan is used by Council to apply local planning policy, planning zones and overlays to guide new development and protect the existing character of the town. The Barwon Heads Structure Plan is implemented through Clause 21.14 of the greater Geelong Planning Scheme. BARWON HEADS STRUCTURE PLAN UPDATE OCTOBER 2016 PAGE 4 PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT GIVENS REVIEW - THE NEED The City of Greater Geelong adopted the current Barwon The Structure Plan Update and associated engagement Heads Structure Plan in January 2010. However, the plan activities will be undertaken within the following ‘givens’. preparation process commenced over 10 years ago and These are the elements of the process and existing took over three years to adopt. planning policy that are not under review: It’s now time to update the Structure Plan to make sure • Evidence and community aspirations will inform and it meets the community’s changing needs, particularly guide professional responses to current issues. around demographics, development pressures, housing • Any potential change to the settlement boundary diversity, residential character, the rural and natural will be considered in the context of state and local environment, climate change, flooding, transport and planning policies. infrastructure. • There is a need to build new houses within established areas to achieve Council’s adopted policy position The study area for the Structure Plan Update is set out in in the Housing Diversity Strategy 2008 and the the map below. It has not changed from the last update of residential character of Barwon Heads. the Structure Plan. • Maintaining and even strengthening existing open space and wetlands is an important part of the Update to meet our local, state and international obligations. • Council will make a decision on the adoption of the updated Structure Plan. The ultimate decision on the details of the Structure Plan rests with the State Planning Minister. It is likely that an independent Planning Panel will hear submissions on a future planning scheme amendment and make recommendations. MAP 1: STUDY AREA Lake Connewarre State Game Reserve BARWO N H EAD S R OAD Barwon Village Park River 13th Beach Golf Course E ENU V A K C O HC Murtnaghurt Lagoon C T HI Barwon Heads Golf Course Legend THIRT EENTH BE ACH ROAD Study area Caravan Park 0 375 750 1,500 M BARWON HEADS STRUCTURE PLAN UPDATE OCTOBER 2016 PAGE 5 STRUCTURE PLAN REVIEW PROCESS There are nine broad steps with associated community engagement opportunities, to update the Structure Plan. They are set out in the figure below. We are at the start of the Structure Plan process which should be completed sometime in 2018. It is anticipated Council will adopt the Barwon Heads Structure Plan in the middle of 2017. Following this it is necessary to formallly amend the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme to implement any new directions from the structure plan. your input TIMING AUGUST 2016 OCTOBER 2016 NOVEMBER 2016 SEPTEMBER 2016 1. 2. 3. 4. PREPARATION RECRUITMENT ENGAGEMENT WHAT WE KNOW AND Communication to Confirming EVENTS WHAT WE HEARD make sure everyone participation in Central Engagement report understands the the engagement representative outlining the key structure plan purpose, activities. Look out workshop (All issues facing the process for its update for details on how welcome), interest township, what was STAGE and how to get to be involved in the group workshops, heard during the involved. September edition of drop-in sessions, engagement and what Gather background Talking Heads online input. is important to the information to underpin community. the Update BARWON HEADS STRUCTURE PLAN UPDATE OCTOBER 2016 PAGE 6 your input your input 2018 2018 HALF OF 2017 ND POST JULY 2017 POST JULY 2 MARCH/APRIL 2017 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. RESPONSE ADOPTION PLANNING SCHEME PLANNING PANEL MINISTER Draft Structure Barwon Heads AMENDMENT A hearing will be APPROVAL Plan Update Structure The Barwon Heads held by Planning Planning Panels development Plan Update Structure Plan will Panels Victoria. Victoria to make and released adopted by be exhibited as a Submitters recommendations for further Council. Planning Scheme will have the to Council and then community Amendment. There opportunity to be Council to forward feedback. will be an opportunity heard at the Panel. the final Structure Feedback to make a formal Plan to the Minister sessions. submission on the for approval. Structure Plan. BARWON HEADS STRUCTURE PLAN UPDATE OCTOBER 2016 PAGE 7 EXISTING STRUCTURE PLAN BARWON HEADS STRUCTURE PLAN UPDATE OCTOBER 2016 PAGE 8 EXISTING STRUCTURE ‘Principles’ and ‘Directions’ The Barwon Heads Structure Plan sets out ‘Principles’ and PLAN VISION AND ‘Directions’ that are grouped into the following themes: DIRECTIONS • Urban growth • Infrastructure • Housing VISION • Natural environment • Economic development and employment The vision for Barwon Heads as set out in the Bellarine Peninsula Strategic Plan (2006 – 2016) : The ‘Principles’ within each theme are set out below: “In the year 2016 Barwon Heads will be a unique, sustainable, residential and environmental hub; a URBAN GROWTH landlocked community surrounded by pristine river, coast and wetlands. An intimate community which supports • To protect the unique character of Barwon Heads all age groups and provides a place of belonging for as a small coastal village located within a sensitive residents and visitors alike; where human impact is environmental and significant landscape setting. managed to support the fragile natural surroundings by: • To maintain a compact urban form and avoid outward sprawl. • Clearly defined limitations on urban development INFRASTRUCTURE • Protecting and nurturing natural surroundings by managing human footprint • To encourage the provision of a range of social and • Supporting walking, cycling, fishing, sailing, surfing, community services commensurate with the size and swimming and generally enjoying what our coastal role of the township. village has to offer in an environmentally sensitive • To provide an improved transport, parking and way”. movement network, including pedestrian and cyclist linkages and public transport options, which achieves The Urban Design Framework for Barwon Heads (2003) sustainability objectives. (UDF) sets out a vision for the township based on SETTLEMENT AND HOUSING community aspirations for the future of the township. • To ensure that future housing development “A place that is defined by the natural landscape features complements the character of Barwon Heads and that surround it – the Bellarine Peninsula’s ‘island’ provides for a variety of housing sizes and types. community. A town of diverse character where development is largely NATURAL ENVIRONMENT nestled into the coastal vegetation, or if development is not tucked away, it is honestly expressed and well • Protect the landscape character of the town and designed. ecological sensitivity of the surrounding environment. A place where the informal qualities are retained, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND EMPLOYMENT because it is these elements that give the town its special character, and where the interface of the town with the • To encourage a diverse mix of uses and activities in ocean, wetlands, river and rural land demonstrates an Hitchcock Avenue, including within any expansion of environmental sensitivity. the village centre. • To encourage the development of the town centre
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