content of the RCS has been informed by guidelines from the Victorian Catchment Management Council and the Department of Environment and Primary Industries. Decision making by the planning authority must have regard to this strategy as required by the State and Local Planning Policy Framework of the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme at Clauses 14.02 Water and 21.05 Natural Environment. Urban Growth and Land Use Planning Guidelines for land use development In 2008, the Department of Transport released the Public Transport Guidelines for Land Use and Development as an information resource for councils, developers and consultants. The guidelines aim to facilitate walking, cycling and public transport in new urban and regional developments. Purpose of the guidelines The guidelines show how development and infrastructure can be designed to encourage walking, cycling and the use of public transport. They emphasis that: safety is a critical (for example, the Victorian Government policy discourages new level crossings and they are unlikely to receive approval) public transport, walking and cycling should be given priority careful design will deliver an efficient transport network, improving service speeds and reliability proposals should be designed to expedite, not impede, public transport. The guidelines will deliver broad community benefits, by: encouraging sustainable travel options alleviating traffic congestion improving urban amenity, connectivity and accessibility between communities, workplaces and urban centres. What the guidelines cover The guidelines set out design principles and provide advice on where to access detailed public transport and planning information. This includes advice on trains, trams, buses and interchanges. There is particular advice on: bus routes in new subdivisions road design walking and cycling design requirements for public transport infrastructure such as stops and parking facilities Disability Discrimination Act requirements for public transport. Melbourne 2030 Melbourne 2030 is the State Government’s planning strategy for metropolitan Melbourne and its surrounding region for the next thirty years. One of the core directions of the strategy is to
restricted by application of Ministerial Direction No 6. 17: Economic Development Establishes a framework for the development of activity centres, protection of productive agricultural land and development of appropriate tourism opportunities. Any recommendations relating to the further development of the retail area must be consistent with the broader municipal/regional retail hierarchy. Provides opportunity to establish objectives and policy relating to improvements to town centres and development of tourism based facilities commensurate with the scale and role of the town. 18: Transport Establishes objectives for the provision of physical and community infrastructure. Infrastructure provision must be efficient, sustainable and relate to key needs. 19: Infrastructure Establishes a framework for ensuring high quality urban design and architecture. Urban design and architecture must reflect the characteristics, aspirations and cultural identity. 21.05: Natural Environment The municipality includes a rich diversity of flora and fauna, including rare and unique species and communities, major waterways, large coastal areas and complex freshwater and marine wetlands. Urban development should consider and minimise impacts on waterways, water quality, native vegetation, flooding etc. 21.06: Settlement and Housing Between 2006 and 2031, it is estimated that the municipality will need to accommodate an additional 63,000 persons. This level of population growth will generate demand for approximately 41,000 new dwellings. St Leonards is not a designated growth area within the City of Greater Geelong, however the 2006 Structure Plan has identified an area for future residential development within the Settlement Boundary. New subdivisions target 15 dwellings per hectare. Increase housing density should be encouraged around the St Leonards Town centre which has been identified as an increased housing diversity area within the Housing Diversity Strategy 2007. 21.07: Economic Development and Employment The provision of high quality living, working and recreational environments is critical to attracting and retaining highly skilled people and the businesses in which they work. Ensure that new retail development is directed to activity centres and is consistent with the role and function described in the Retail Activity Centre Hierarchy. The role of the St Leonards centre whilst not defined within the City of Greater Geelong Retail Strategy could be defined as a town centre. Support the development of food, horticulture and viticulture industries in appropriate locations, particularly on the Bellarine Peninsula.
roads and identify land which has been acquired for a significant proposed road. Table 4 - Overlays Overlays Design and Development Overlay – Schedule 14 (DDO 14) The DDO affects all residential land with the exception of land directly abutting the foreshore. The purpose of the DDO is to ensure that the siting, height and visual bulk of dwellings achieves a reasonable sharing of views between properties to significant landscape features Design and Development Overlay – Schedule 19 (DDO 19) The DDO 19 applies to the residential land facing the foreshore area. The purpose of the DDO19 is to guide development along the foreshore area to ensure there is opportunity for view sharing and that development is consistent with the spacing and setting of dwellings and the coastal theme of the area. Design and Development Overlay – Schedule 24 (DDO 24) The DDO 24 applies to land with the town centre. The purpose of the DDO 24 is to protect views and the character of the town and to improve the environment within the town centre. Development Plan Overlay Schedule 19 This overlay affects the St Leonards Golf Course. A Development Plan was approved for the St Leonards Gold Course on 9 August 2013 which supports the development of 143 lots. Heritage Overlay (HO) There are 4 heritage sites in St Leonards including the primary school, former post office building, Edina Cottage (residence) and St Pauls Anglican Church. Environmental Significance Overlay – Schedule 2 (ESO2) This overlay applies to the Salt Lagoon area. The purpose of the overlay is: To conserve and protect areas of flora and fauna habitat and geological and natural interest. To ensure that development does not impact on the environmental significance of the land. To ensure that siting and design of any buildings and works maintains the environmental integrity of the land. Vegetation Protection Overlay – Schedule 1 (VPO1) This overlay affects Murradoc and Harvey Roads. The overlay triggers a planning permit requirement for the removal, destruction or lopping of any vegetation. The objectives of the overlay are: To protect areas of significant indigenous vegetation. To maintain habitat corridors for indigenous flora and fauna. To ensure that all development and works minimise the loss of indigenous vegetation.
Figure 6 - Urban Vacant Lots and Residential Supply – St Leonards 2013 Table 12 - Residential Supply - St Leonards Suburb Average Annual Lot Production July 2006 to March 2013 1-2 years 3-5 years 6-10 years 11+ years No Timing Total Zoned (lots) Potential Residential (unzoned) Total (lots) St Leonards (Vic.) 28 105 85 0 0 0 190 0 190 Total 28 105 85 0 0 0 190 1403 1593 Source: Spatial Economics – Land Supply and Monitoring Tool 2013 Table 13 - Urban Vacant Lots – St Leonards Suburb Less than 500 sqm 500-800 sqm 800 to 1200 sqm 1200 to 2000 sqm 2000 to 5000 sqm Total Lots St Leonards (vic.) 97 191 31 11 3 333 Total 97 191 31 11 3 333 Source: Spatial Economics – Land Supply and Monitoring Tool 2013 Figure 7 - Dwelling Construction 2005-2012 Figure 7 shows where dwellings have been constructed since 2005. The main concentration of development has been in the Sea Change Estate and the southern portion of the Bluff Heights Estate.
Table 19 - Residential Lot Potential by Supply Type, March 2013 – Northern Bellarine Region/Urban Centre/LGA Broad hectare Major Infill Potential Residential (unzoned) Vacant ‘Urban’ Lots Rural Residential Total Lots Springs 2770 0 2295 467 35 5567 Portarlington 361 0 280 309 12 962 Indented Head 214 0 0 196 0 410 St Leonards 245 *recent approvals 0 1403 333# 0 1981 Table 20 - Residential Land Supply – Northern Bellarine Location Average Building Approval 2003-13 Peak Building Approval 2003-13 Total Lots (excluding Vacant Urban Lots and Rural Res) Years Supply Average approval rate Years Supply Using Peak Approval Overall Total Lots Years Supply Average approval rate Years Supply Using Peak Approval Springs 84 137 20007/08 5065 60 37 5567 66 41 Portarlington 49 70 2003/04 641 14 10 962 31 14 Indented Head 31 49 2009/10 214 7 4 410 13 8 St Leonards 62 88 2009/10 1648 26 19 1981 33 25 * Figures Rounded Figure 9 - Residential Lot Potential by Supply Type, March 2013 - Portarlington Figure 10 - Residential Lot Potential by Supply Type, March 2013 – Drysdale-Clifton Springs Figure 11 - Residential Lot Potential by Supply Type, March 2013 – Indented Head