After continued pressure from community groups, the City of Greater Geelong has decided to rethink the development of high-rise buildings in the Pakington North Precinct.
Council had planned to bring the precinct’s proposed Urban Design Framework (UDF) to its November meeting on Tuesday for a final endorsement.
However, multiple rounds of consultation failed to quell the many questions and concerns in the community around issues such as high-rise developments, heritage buildings, parking and the general amenity of the Pakington North area.
The city has instead decided to begin a new engagement process around the UDF, which will include the creation of a community panel made up of residents, traders and customers from the precinct.
The community panel, which will be run by an independent facilitator, will involve a series of workshops with city officers with the aim of co-designing a new, more widely supported UDF for the precinct over coming months.
As reported by the Independent, residents rallied against the UDF in September, fearing its approval by council would be the beginning of the end for the village feel the area is renowned for.
Community group Help Save Pako Street (HSPS), which was particularly vocal with its concerns as the UDF’s final endorsement approached, welcomed the city’s decision to revisit the design of the framework.
“We look forward to being part of a genuinely collaborative and independently facilitated approach to creating a new solution for the Northern Precinct of Pakington Street,” an HSPS spokesperson said.
Mayor Trent Sullivan said the decision was an example of the city listening to feedback from the community.
“After careful consideration of the passionate feedback from local residents, traders and visitors to the Pakington North Precinct, we feel a fresh approach is needed,” Cr Sullivan said.
“Members of the community panel will bring their unique insights to the workshops, where all feedback provided in previous engagements will be considered.
“Officers look forward to working with the panel to shape the future of the precinct together.
“Council thanks community members for taking the time to share their ideas and insights on the precinct since 2018.”
