OGCA

Ocean Grove Urban Design Framework

Andy Urban Design Framework ,

On Tue, Jun 14, 2022 OGCA wrote to Geelong Council requesting updates to several projects raised in the Ocean Grove Urban Design Framework.

Here is Councils response:

  Phil Edwards Chairperson Ocean Grove Community Association ogcommunityassn@gmail.com                     13 July 2022                    
  
Dear Phil, 
Re: Ocean Grove UDF 

Thank you for your recent correspondence on behalf of the Ocean Grove Community Association regarding works proposed through the Ocean Grove Urban Design Framework and other opportunities. 

 Please see below update on each item that was listed.

 TOWN SIGNAGE

We are currently assessing funding availability through the City’s Capital Works program for signage in key locations around the municipality, including Ocean Grove.  

 The City has developed draft Township Signage Guidelines, which are currently with the Department of Transport (DoT) for review and approval. The Guidelines outline colour and style criteria for town signage, as well as options for incorporating suitable artwork provided by the local community.

 Subject to funding availability, we look forward to working with the Association to develop updated town entrance signage for Ocean Grove.

 OCEAN GROVE – PT LONSDALE BIKE PATHS

The initial feasibility planning for Ocean Grove and Point Lonsdale shared user path is nearly complete with findings suggesting it is very difficult to create a trail in the road reserve.  There is limited space, and the presence of environmental values for both routes along Shell Rd or Creswell Rd provide significant constraints.  

 Further work is being considered that will be integrated with the Southeast Bellarine Biolink Master Plan process that is currently underway.

 I understand a further briefing was provided to the community reference group for the Coastal and Marine Management Plan on the 7th July, and we are happy to provide a further update to the association as we further develop the scope of works for this project.

 OCEAN GROVE PRINCIPAL PEDESTRIAN NETWORK – MATURE TREES

With the project still at concept design stage, it is difficult to estimate the final vegetation impact of the Ocean Grove Principal Pedestrian Network (OGPPN). Tree removal will be minimised as much as possible in the final designs, however it is likely that some larger trees will need to be removed. Any removals will be offset by a program of tree planting.

  The impact of trees was extensively discussed as part of community consultation for this project, and in some instances, it is proposed to relocate some footpaths to the other side of the road to accommodate this concern. This issue will continue to be considered by the OGPPN working group to ensure it is highlighted, discussed and dealt with in the most appropriate manner.

 COMMUNITY HALL/MEETING VENUE 

The feedback on the UDF in relation to a future multipurpose community hall/meeting venue has been reflected in the City’s Social Infrastructure Plan (SIP) (adopted 2020).  

 The SIP identifies the need for Council to undertake an ‘Ocean Grove Community Infrastructure and Services Place-based Needs Study.’ A ‘Needs Study’ will assess the current provision of community infrastructure across the town, and make recommendations for new services or facilities required to meet the needs of the current and future population. 

 Timing for preparation of this needs study has not yet been confirmed. The OG Community Association will be a key stakeholder in the preparation of the Needs Study.

 PRESIDENTS AVE ROUNDABOUTS 

Phase 1a of improvements to Presidents Avenue (signalisation of the Presidents Ave/Orton St intersection) was completed by VicRoads in November 2020.

 Phase 1b – the installation of roundabouts at The Parade and The Terrace intersections – is not included in the current capital works core program, however it will likely be considered in future budgets.

 LANDSCAPING AND STREETSCAPING

The proposed landscaping of ‘green links’ as proposed in the Ocean Grove UDF has been considered by Council a number of times through annual budget processes, however it has not been progressed at this stage. We will continue to put forward these works for Council to consider through the budget process.

We recently received funding through the Victorian Government’s Covid Safe Outdoor Activation Fund for streetscape works in The Terrace, Ocean Grove. These works include the refurbishment of existing seating and installation of new bin surrounds.

The improvements will enhance trader activation, outdoor dining, and overall customer experience of the precinct. Works are expected to be completed by end of August

 NEW TOWN SQUARE IN THE TERRACE 

The town square site will be secured when the property at 74 The Terrace is redeveloped. 

There has been one development application for this site that included the necessary setbacks for the town square, however the application was refused by Council and VCAT as it did not deliver on the objectives on the UDF for the removal of the crossover in The Terrace and use of the rear lane for access. 

 REAR ACCESS & LOADING ALONG THE TERRACE  

The City has made an offer to purchase part of a property at the rear of The Terrace to facilitate access from the west. There is ongoing negotiations with impacted landowners.

 HODGSON ST EAST MIXED USE PRECINCT  

The Victorian Government has provided in principle agreement to reinvesting the money from the land sale of the surplus road land into the road works. This has been a significant barrier to the project progressing to date. 

 The developer is currently preparing a detailed design for the signalised intersection at Hodgson Street and The Parade to inform a final feasibility assessment. Community consultation on a planning scheme amendment and redevelopment of Council land will follow. Timing has not been confirmed yet. 

We appreciate your interest in these matters and your ongoing advocacy for the Ocean Grove community. 

Kind regards,

GARETH SMITH

DIRECTOR 

CITY PLANNING & ECONOMY

TELEPHONE 5272 4266 garethsmith@geelongcity.vic.gov.au garethsmith@geelongcity.vic.gov.au

BELLARINE PENINSULA STATEMENT OF PLANNING POLICY

Andy Town Boundary (DAL) , , ,
OCEAN GROVE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION Inc – SUBMITTER #067
SUBMISSION TO THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Thank you for the opportunity to provide a submission to The Committee.

WHO DO WE REPRESENT

1. The Ocean Grove Community Association’s membership model has been progressively moving to a hybrid model combining social media based free membership with conventional paid membership for those that chose to pay the small once off fee. This hybrid model better reflects current community trends with the high usage of social media communication by many people in the community.

2. Our membership base is 2,9281 followers on social media and 125 paid membership.

3. In addition to our community membership reach, we have been running an online petition – online because of the Covid-19 limitations. This petition advocates for the retention of the current Ocean Grove Settlement Boundary as reflected in the City of Greater Geelong Settlement Strategy.

4. This petition has 8,417 2 – which we believe demonstrates a clear and loud statement of the community’s desire. All of these people have taken the time to read our online flyer and have decided to sign this petition.

5. The electronic petition, through change.org, was launched on 26 November 2019 and this subsequently allowed people to record their support while maintaining the Covid 19 physical contact restrictions that commence in early 2020. The graphic in the petition was taken from Ocean Grove Structure Plan. The petition highlighted “Developers want the land to the west of Grubb Road, the land east of Banks Road and the strip of land to the north between the current Oakdene housing development and the Bellarine Highway to be included in the Ocean Grove Town Settlement Boundary”.

6. The poster (a copy is included as an attachment to this submission) was produced in January 2020 and was used as a letter box drop across Ocean Grove supported by emails and displaying the poster by some Ocean Grove business. A simplified graphic was used 1 Correct as at 9 May 2022 2 Correct as at 16 May 2022 Page 2 of 13 Submitter # 067 – Ocean Grove Community Association in the poster. A second letter drop of the poster was undertaken in April 2022. In the second letter box drop we used the same poster for consistency of messaging. The poster QR code was linked the Change.org petition which featured the more detailed graphic.

7. In all our efforts and messaging to engage with the community at large the key focus was and continues to be the major risk on the significant landscapes by residential development outside the Ocean Grove Settlement Boundary, in particular:

a. to the west of Grubb Road into the attractive backdrop to the town and as a settlement break with Wallington,

 b. into the non-urban break north of Ocean Grove to the Bellarine Highway, and

c. into the open rolling the farm land east of Banks Road

Southern Bellarine Coastal Forum – 2019

Andy Coastal Forum, Forums ,

The Southern Bellarine Coastal Forum held at the Shell Road Pavilion in Ocean Grove on Friday 21 June 2019 was a great success with almost 130 people in attendance representing a variety of views on what should and should not be permitted to occur in the rural area to the south of Shell Road between the townships of Ocean Grove and Point Lonsdale.

11 excellent speakers helped all the participants to better understand and appreciate the cultural, environmental, recreational and tourism opportunities and risks of the area. Led by Ocean Grove based professional forum facilitators Martin De Los Rios and Sofiah Mackay using sophisticated software allowed participants with smart phones or other mobile devices to ask questions and express opinions live in the forum. All participants then actively engaged in small group discussion sessions after each speaker to identify and document their views on the opportunities and risks. 

In summary, there was generally support for some form of off-road link or links for safe walking and safe cycling but the route it should take must be very strongly influenced by the environment and cultural issues expertly described by the presenters and audience members.

Now the hard work begins as we need to review all the presentations, work through the questions raised, and analyse the inputs and impressions of the participants and draft a report. We think this will us at least three to four weeks, however we will provide regular updates on the Ocean Grove Community Association website and on our facebook page.

Pdf copies of most of the speakers presentations should be on our website in a week or so under the “Documents” tab.

Ocean Grove Community Association would like to thank our speakers, all our forum partners, our facilitators and all the participants who collectively made this great forum possible.

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