Council has adopted the Pakington North Urban Design Framework (UDF) that was co-designed with the Pakington North Community Panel.
The UDF is an important planning tool that will guide future design and investment for Pakington Street from Church Street to Waratah and Wellington streets.
It provides a roadmap to achieve the vision of a vibrant, people friendly and inclusive Pakington North precinct with thriving businesses, housing that is diverse and conveniently located, and quality architecture.
The vision outlines how local shops, offices and communal spaces will feature at lower levels fronting Pakington Street with residential living above, and a green street that contributes to Geelong's canopy targets.
The co-designed UDF proposes increased heights at key areas while ensuring sunlight is maintained for Pakington Street footpaths and an appropriate transition to sensitive heritage areas and the surrounding residential neighbourhood. This means varied heights with a maximum of 10 storeys identified on part of the railsidings yard and the intersection of Pakington and Church streets.
Other features include streetscape improvements including widening footpaths, raised pedestrian crossings, more greenery, seating and lighting; heritage design elements in buildings and street furniture; better ways to manage car parking at key sites; and improved connections to Geelong and North Geelong train stations.
Council also last night adopted updates to the Pakington Street and Gordon Avenue Urban Design Framework - December 2021 to remove references to the Pakington North Precinct.
The Council will now request the Minister for Planning to authorise the preparation and exhibition of a planning scheme amendment to introduce the UDF's policy and development controls into the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme.
Advocacy with key stakeholders, a local area traffic management plan and a streetscape masterplan are also required to make the UDF a reality.
Independent engagement consultancy Capire Consulting selected the Pakington North Community Panel through an Expressions of Interest process.
Capire Consulting led the co-design of the UDF with the panellists and the City of Greater Geelong's City Design team across three months, involving six in-person sessions focused on the themes of Built Form, Public Realm, and Access and Movement.
The panel had numerous opportunities to give feedback and ask questions including during presentations and Q&A sessions with subject matter experts, through the use of online interactive tools and a private Have Your Say page.
At the last session, 79 per cent of panellists reported feeling 'Very Comfortable' or 'Comfortable' that the UDF reflects the work of the panel. Sixty-one per cent of the panel was very comfortable or comfortable that "the panel recommendations will guide the future development in Pakington North to revitalise and help accommodate demand for new homes, retail, services and jobs."
A final vote saw majority support for the UDF to progress to Council for consideration last night.
This deliberative engagement process finalises the community consultation component needed for the UDF.
Mayor Trent Sullivan
The adoption of the Pakington North Urban Design Framework is a great outcome for the precinct.Council is grateful to the Pakington North Community Panel, made up of a representative sample of the Geelong West community, for developing a UDF over 20 hours.
The final UDF takes a holistic design approach and respects the area's history, while allowing for appropriate development and upgrades that will enhance the precinct and provide much-needed housing.
The community panel came to its decisions based on the criteria members set for themselves, that the recommendations be realistic, enhance liveability and provide flexibility for future development options.
Pako Street is a beloved and thriving area in Geelong and we're excited for the future of the Pakington North precinct.
Councillor Jim Mason
The deliberative engagement process has been the City's most extensive community consultation to date.We're thrilled to have been able to facilitate such an exhaustive engagement with the Pakington West community.
The community will have opportunity to provide feedback through the public exhibition of the planning scheme amendment to implement the UDF, and through future streetscape masterplan preparation for Pakington Street.
Councillors voted 8-3 in favour of adopting the UDF, with Councillor Anthony Aitken, Councillor Elise Wilkinson and Councillor Sarah Hathway voting against the recommendation.
View the project history and news to date on our Have Your Say platform.
