Point Lonsdale Structure Plan 24 November 2009 Parts ABC (PDF - 5.9 MB)

149 Pages·2012·5.69 MB·English

by  Chris Renkin

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© 2009 Planisphere
Acknowledgements
The City of Greater Geelong and Borough of Queenscliffe acknowledge the Bengalat balug (Clan) of
the Wathaurong People, traditional custodians of the land which now comprises the Bellarine
Peninsula. We pay respect to their tribal elders, we celebrate their continuing culture and we
acknowledge the memory of their ancestors.
A thank you is extended to the community of Point Lonsdale who have contributed to the preparation
of the Draft Structure Plan by attending the community workshop and sending feedback.
Project Control Group
A Project Control Group (PCG) has been formed to oversee the preparation of the Point Lonsdale Structure
Plan and to provide direction on the project. The PCG comprises the following membership:
Diane James Independent Chairperson
Michelle Watt Dept. Planning and Community Development
Kim McGough Dept. Planning and Community Development
Wendy Allen Dept. Planning and Community Development (until June 08)
Julie O‟Callaghan Dept. Planning and Community Development
Cr. Jan Farrell Councillor, City of Greater Geelong
Cr. Rod MacDonald Councillor, City of Greater Geelong
Cr. Andrew Katos Councillor, City of Greater Geelong (from November 2008)
Cr. Pat Semmens Mayor, Borough of Queenscliffe (until November 2008)
Cr. Chris Player Councillor, Borough of Queenscliffe (until November 2008)
Cr. Bob Merriman Mayor, Borough of Queenscliffe (from November 2008)
Cr. David Mitchell Councillor, Borough of Queenscliffe (from November 2008)
Kaylene Conrick CEO, Borough of Queenscliffe (until July 2008)
Lenny Jenner CEO, Borough of Queenscliffe (from October 2008)
Project Managers
Tim Hellsten Coordinator Projects, Planning Strategy, City of Greater Geelong
Natalie Walker Manager, Planning and Development, Borough of Queenscliffe (until September 2008)
Michael Dunn Acting Manager Planning and Development, Borough of Queenscliffe (Nov 08 – Jan 09)
Karen Hose General Manager Planning and Places, Borough of Queenscliffe (from January 2009)
Consultant Study Team
Planisphere Urban Strategy Planners
Lisa Riddle, Director Project Management
Christine Renkin, Senior Planner Project Coordination
Liz Jardine, Strategic Planner Survey, Planning analysis
Helen Knight, Senior Urban Designer Urban Design advice
Tina Ngu, Planning Assistant Research, mapping
Collaborations
Michelle Howard, Director Social Infrastructure Analysis
Urban Enterprise
Matt Ainsaar, Managing Director Economic Analysis
Eva Abbinga, Strategic Planner Economic Analysis
O’Brien Traffic
Deborah Donald, Director Transport Planning
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Contents

PART A: STRUCTURE PLAN .......................................................................................................... 1
1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................. 1
1.1 Purpose of the Structure Plan ..................................................................................... 1
1.2 How this Plan will be used? ........................................................................................ 1
1.3 How to Read the Plan ................................................................................................. 1
1.4 The Study Area ........................................................................................................... 2
2. KEY INFLUENCES ............................................................................................................... 3
2.1 Policy Context .............................................................................................................. 3
2.2 Township Growth ......................................................................................................... 3
2.3 Activities ....................................................................................................................... 3
2.4 Buildings ...................................................................................................................... 3
2.5 Spaces ......................................................................................................................... 4
2.6 Access ......................................................................................................................... 4
2.7 Governance and Leadership........................................................................................ 4
3. THE PLAN ............................................................................................................................ 5
3.1 Vision and Aims ........................................................................................................... 5
3.2 Principles and Directions ............................................................................................. 6
3.3 Study Area Framework ................................................................................................ 6
3.4 Township Structure Plan .............................................................................................. 6
3.5 Township Growth ......................................................................................................... 9
3.6 Activities ..................................................................................................................... 14
3.7 Buildings .................................................................................................................... 21
3.8 Spaces ....................................................................................................................... 24
3.9 Access ....................................................................................................................... 27
3.10 Governance and Leadership...................................................................................... 32
PART B: IMPLEMENTATION AND REVIEW ................................................................................. 36
Implementation Plan .................................................................................................................... 37
Review of Structure Plan ............................................................................................................. 41
PART C: BACKGROUND REPORT ............................................................................................... 41

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© 2009 Planisphere
PART A: STRUCTURE PLAN
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Purpose of the Structure Plan
The Point Lonsdale Structure Plan is a strategic framework for the future growth and development
of the township of Point Lonsdale to 2021. The Plan has been prepared by Planisphere for the City
of Greater Geelong and the Borough of Queenscliffe.
Point Lonsdale is a small coastal village on the Bellarine Peninsula. It is located in a sensitive
coastal and natural environment and is currently experiencing development pressures on land
outside of the existing urban area. The Structure Plan will guide the future growth of Point
Lonsdale in a sustainable manner that reflects the community‟s needs, values and aspirations.
1.2 How this Plan will be used?
The Structure Plan is a tool to be used by the City of Greater Geelong and Borough of Queenscliffe
to guide future use and development in a coordinated and orderly manner. This will be achieved
by including the strategic directions of the Structure Plan into the Local Planning Policy Framework
of the Greater Geelong and Queenscliffe Planning Schemes. A Planning Scheme Amendment will
be prepared to make changes to Local Planning Policy Framework, zones and overlays where
recommended by this Structure Plan. This document will be used in the assessment of
applications for planning permits and planning scheme amendments.
1.3 How to Read the Plan
The Structure Plan is organised with the following sections:
Part A: comprises the Structure Plan including principles and directions that respond to the key
influences identified in the background report for each of the following key themes:
 Township Growth
 Activities
 Buildings
 Spaces
 Access
 Governance and Leadership
Part B: contains the actions for implementing the Structure Plan.
Part C: is the background report, published as a separate document, which provides the key
issues, opportunities and constraints identified through research and analysis. As such, providing
the strategic context to the Structure Plan. It is organised under the following themes:
 Policy Context
 Township Growth
 Activities
 Buildings
 Spaces
 Access
 Governance and Leadership
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Part A: Point Lonsdale Structure Plan
1.4 The Study Area
The Structure Plan applies to the township of Point Lonsdale as identified in Figure 1 below. The
area comprises the existing urban area of the town and areas at the periphery, including land to the
west and north of the existing urban zones and the rural interface as the landscape context setting.
Figure 1: Point Lonsdale Structure Plan Study Area

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Part A: Point Lonsdale Structure Plan
2. KEY INFLUENCES
2.1 Policy Context
 Protect areas with conservation and heritage values and the surrounding natural resource
base.
 Create environmentally, economically and socially sustainable townships into the future.
 Encourage good urban design of both public and private development.
 Incorporate design considerations that positively impact on the health and well being of the
community.
2.2 Township Growth
 A need to establish a Settlement Boundary that protects the township‟s sensitive coastal
environment, provides a coordinated and consistent approach to decision making for both
the City of Greater Geelong and Borough of Queenscliffe, and provides certainty to residents
regarding the future role of the township.
 Point Lonsdale should continue to operate as a sustainable urban form providing adequate
housing, commercial and social infrastructure to support its permanent residents and visitor /
non–permanent population.
 The township‟s coastal village identity and sense of place should be strengthened through
appropriately managed growth and appropriately designed public and private spaces.
 The need to apply the precautionary principle to planning and management decision making
when considering the risks associated with climate change, including the policy of planning
for sea level rise of not less than 0.8 metres by 2100.
2.3 Activities
 An adequate supply of land for housing to meet the „slow‟ growth forecast will need to be
provided through well designed new residential subdivision and infill housing.
 A range of dwelling types should be provided for housing choice, including visitor
accommodation, and to support an expected ageing population and smaller household
dynamic in the township in the future.
 The Point Lonsdale shopping village should continue its neighbourhood centre role and
complimented by small convenience / corner stores in new residential subdivisions.
 Tourism should be strengthened as the economic base of Point Lonsdale and the Bellarine
Peninsula, both within the established Settlement Boundary and surrounding rural areas.
 The Point Lonsdale community should be supported by adequate community and social
infrastructure and services.
2.4 Buildings
 The informal coastal village character of Point Lonsdale is highly valued by the community
and should be strengthened in the design of new residential subdivisions and infill
development.
 The Borough of Queenscliffe and City of Greater Geelong will need a consistent and
integrated approach to the design of the built form and subdivision.
 All new buildings should apply the principles of environmentally sustainable design (ESD).
 Heritage buildings make a significant contribution to the character of Point Lonsdale and
require protection and preservation.
 The green vistas and surrounding rural landscape setting to the township should be retained
with appropriately designed low density built form in these locations.
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Part A: Point Lonsdale Structure Plan
 The location and design of new development should be appropriately protected from risks
and impacts associated with climate change, and coastal hazards.
2.5 Spaces
 Contribute to sense of place through signage and landscaping at selected locations including
gateways into Point Lonsdale.
 The public spaces and town centre should be designed to support community and social
interaction and well being.
2.6 Access
 A well connected, multi modal transport system within Point Lonsdale and across the
Bellarine Peninsula will provide transport options for residents and visitors to reduce
dependence on private vehicles, and support households without cars.
 Walking, cycling and public transport offer affordable and sustainable modes of transport and
provide opportunities for physical activity and social interaction in the township.
 Traffic management and car parking should cater for peak holiday periods whilst respecting
township character objectives.
2.7 Governance and Leadership
 The Structure Plan provides an opportunity for the Borough of Queenscliffe and City of
Greater Geelong to manage the future planning of Point Lonsdale using a consistent and
integrated approach.
 Strengthen public and private sector relationships to maximise opportunities, particularly
funding partnerships, within Point Lonsdale.
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Part A: Point Lonsdale Structure Plan
3. THE PLAN
3.1 Vision and Aims
3.1.1 Community Vision
A community vision for Point Lonsdale was created as part of preparation of the Bellarine Strategic
Plan 2006-2016. This Plan was developed in consultation with the Point Lonsdale community
irrespective of municipal boundary, and in conjunction with the Borough of Queenscliffe. It is
therefore taken to be broadly representative of the views of the whole community:
A coastal village location with reduced impact on the environment. A place of green vistas,
unspoilt coastal views, negotiable by walking paths and not impacted by clustered development
and traffic congestion.
3.1.2 Role of the Township
Point Lonsdale is a small coastal settlement and tourism destination with a strong sense of
community and identity. The town is located to the side of a through–route and retains a peaceful,
„off the beaten track‟ feel due to its relative isolation and lack of regional retail or entertainment
attractions, including no licensed hotel. The town‟s residents value its relaxed pace and lifestyle
opportunities.
The town‟s role is primarily as a seaside resort and it experiences an influx of visitors during the
peak holiday periods, and to a lesser extent on weekends. As such, tourism is the primary
economic driver of the town. The large majority of the peak population stay in holiday homes, with
only a minority in holiday/tourist accommodation. The services in the town include shopping,
business, recreation and community facilities that are primarily used and supplied for the local
population. The exception is Bellarine Health which provides a regional service.
Point Lonsdale‟s sensitive environmental and coastal setting provides natural boundaries to growth
of the township, and the unique setting and character is highly valued by the community. The
coastal location and features, including the Lighthouse precinct and views to the „rip‟ entrance to
Port Phillip Bay, are a drawcard for recreation and tourism.
The Victorian Coastal Strategy 2008 identifies Point Lonsdale as a coastal settlement with low
growth capacity. „Low growth‟ is defined as “growth contained within existing urban or appropriate
zoned land primarily through infill capacity and renewal within defined settlement boundaries.” It is
imperative that planning for Point Lonsdale, including this Structure Plan, recognise the strengths
and constraints that a small „coastal settlement‟ presents in establishing a framework for its future
sustainability and extent of urban growth.
3.1.3 Broad aims of the Structure Plan
 Create a sustainable community: environmentally, socially, and economically.
 Protect the village character of the township.
 Protect the natural assets and sensitive environment surrounding the township.
 Foster the community‟s sense of ownership and pride in Point Lonsdale.
 Support the health and wellbeing of the Point Lonsdale community.
 Establish a sound policy basis to enable the township to respond and adapt to the impacts of
climate change.
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Part A: Point Lonsdale Structure Plan
3.2 Principles and Directions
The Structure Plan identifies principles (objectives) and directions (strategies) relating to key
planning themes of:
 Township growth
 Activities
 Buildings
 Spaces
 Access
 Governance and Leadership
3.3 Study Area Framework
The Study Area Framework map shows the extent of the existing urban zoned land, the Point
Lonsdale golf course, and non–urban land which forms the rural „green break‟ between Point
Lonsdale and other settlements, in particular Ocean Grove.
Areas that are known to have environmental constraints through planning scheme controls or other
studies are also delineated on the Framework map. These constraints may impose a variety of
limitations on future development, although most are not definitive in prohibiting development and
require individual and detailed investigation prior to consideration of any development.
3.4 Township Structure Plan
The Township Structure Plan focuses on the township and its immediate surrounds and shows, in
map form, many of the Principles and Directions contained in the following sections of the Structure
Plan report.

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