| Geelong Western Wedge Development
Geelong''s inner West "wedged" between Latrobe Terrace, Corio Bay and the Central Activity Area is an area rich in facilities and resources and massive potential for development.
It includes: - Geelong Station
- The spectacular views of Corio Bay and foreshore area
- Law Courts and Police Station
- Gordon Institute of TAFE
- Arts and Civic buildings located around the historic Johnstone Park
- Deakin University, Waterfront Campus
- National Wool Museum
- A number of heritage buildings including former wool store warehouses, churches, hotels, iron store, railway station, parks and residences
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Background
Since 2002 the City of Greater Geelong has been working with the Victorian Government and local businesses and landowners to progress a framework for the development of this key inner city area. In April 2004 a vision and framework summary was adopted by Council. This vision was fully expanded in the Geelong Western Wedge Framework Document adopted by Council and published in April 2005. Following a period of public consultation in July 2005 a number of minor amendment were made to the framework document which was re-published in September 2005. The framework was incorporated into the City of Greater Geelong Planning Scheme through amendment C124 in October 2007.
Geelong Transit City
Geelong Transit City Station Precinct Urban Design Framework - Produced July 2008, released April 2009.
This Urban Design Framework was produced by the Victorian State Government with assistance from the City of Greater Geelong. The scope of the Framework Plan was to:
- Analyse the existing urban design qualities of the Precinct and the potential for change.
- Assess and provide for public transport requirements.
- Address public access to and from the Station Precinct.
- Identify potential development areas.
- Provide clear and concise development guidelines that will encourage high quality development that is financially viable and which will contribute to a successful and vibrant City centre, and
- Provide a physical plan showing the proposed layout of the precinct, its facilities, related developments and linkages to key activity nodes within the Transit City.
In the 2008-09 State Budget, the Government committed $24.5 million to undertake works around the Geelong Railway Station Precinct over the next four years, including:
- A new road link from the railway station entrance (east side of the station) to Mercer Street, and a new signalised intersection at Mercer Street.
- Streetscape works on Bayley Street and Transit Place to provide improve pedestrian safety and amenity.
- Feasibility studies including; development options for land on the north east corner of the Railway Station Precinct and the State Government Offices on the corner of Little Malop and Fenwick Street, and a pilot project to encourage urban style apartment living in central Geelong.
- The package of works detailed above address key issues in the Railway Station Precinct, most importantly; connectivity from the Station to central Geelong and the waterfront, providing for high/medium mixed use development and encourage private sector investment in Geelong.
Department of Planning and Community Development Site
For details of current development activity both in the Western Wedge and the rest of Central Geelong see our Central Geelong Snapshot of Developments
Downloads
Timeframe
The full implementation of the vision for the Western Wedge is likely to take 10-15 years. However, it is important that the appropriate amendments are made to the Geelong Planning Scheme to ensure that all development that take place contribute to the vision.
- June 2002
Department of Infrastucture launch public consultation on vision
- October 2002
Geelong named as Transit City in Melbourne 2030: Planning for Sustainable Growth
- 2004
City of Greater Geelong adopt framework summary
- 2005
City of Greater Geelong appoint Project Facilitator
Council publish Western Wedge Framework Document
Project Control Group appointed
Consultation on planning scheme amendment documentation
Carry out market analysis and traffic study
Council resolve to exhibit planning scheme amendment - 2006
Carry out Economic Analysis of vision
Document Agreed Objectives for key sites - Site Development Briefs
Identify priority Projects - Public Spaces
Identify priority Projects - Commercial development sites - 2007
Planning Scheme Amendment gazetted
Commencement of TAC headquarters - 2008/9
Geelong Transit City Initiatives:
Commence design of new road link from Mercer St to Station
Bayley St / Transit Place streetscape works
Central Geelong Urban Living feasibility study
North East Station Precinct feasibility study
Watermarque residential development approved
Who is involved ?
The project is being led by City of Greater Geelong. The Project Facilitator can be contacted at
Major Projects
City of Greater Geelong
17 Gheringhap Street
GEELONG, 3220
Tel: 5227 0270
email Westernwedge@geelongcity.vic.gov.au
The Project Facilitator reports to a Project Control Group constituted as follows:
- Chief Executive of City of Greater Geelong (Chair)
- Mayor of City of Greater Geelong
- Representative of Vic Urban
- Representative of the Department of Sustainability and Environment
- Representative of the Department of Infrastucture
The Project Control Group is a section 86 committee of the Council with specific delegated powers as laid out in the 
Terms of Reference (PDF-43KB)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q Where is the "Western Wedge" ?
A The Western Wedge refers to the area ‘wedged'' between the city''s Central Activities Area (CAA), Corio Bay and Geelong West. The study area covers approximately 55 hectares of land generally bounded by Latrobe Terrace, Corio Bay, Gheringhap Street and Little Malop Street.
Q When will I see cranes in the sky ?
A There are a number of approved developments waiting for the private investors to commence work. We would expect to see our first significant developments starting on site in 2006 but it will be 5-10 years before the area looks and feels significantly different and 10-15 years before the bulk of the development is completed. The first major development to commence was the refurbishment of the old Terminus Hotel into a new mixed commercial and residential development. In February 2007 work will commence on the new 16,000m2 headquarters for the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) in Brougham Street.
Q Who is leading the project ?
A The City of Greater Geelong Council have established a Project Control Group consisting of the Mayor, the Chief Executive, and Senior Managers from the Department of Sustainability & Environment, the Department of Infrastructure and Vic Urban. The Project Control Group directs a technical team led by Kathy Timmins, Project Facilitator, Major Projects, City of Greater Geelong.
Q What will happen to the car parking ?
A There are currently a large number of unsightly ground level car parks on some of the premium development sites. These will be replaced with multistorey (often below ground) car parks that are largely hidden from the view of pedestrians. Further details are available in the draft Parking Study & Strategy published for comment in December 2006.
Q How and why was Geelong selected for the Transit Cities program?
A The Transit Cities program is outlined in the State Government strategic document "Melbourne 2030". Its aim is to limit metropolitan sprawl by investing in higher density development in inner city areas adjacent to public transport hubs. Geelong is only 45minutes by train from Melbourne and therefore well placed to accommodate some of the anticipated metropolitan growth.
Q Who owns the land ?
A The Western Wedge covers around 55 hectares of land, most of which is in private ownership.
Q How will this development be funded ?
A The City Council and State Government fully support this development and will be instrumental in all of the major infrastucture projects. However, it is anticipated that much of the capital required for investment will be generated from developers and the future commercial owners and occupiers in recognition for the increases property values and improved business opportunities.
Archive AnnoucementsAMENDMENT C124 GAZETTED ON 3 OCTOBER 2007
The Planning Scheme has finally been amended to incorporate the vision for the Western Wedge. A brief summary of the amendment is available to download below together with a full copy of the new zone schedules and the Design & Development Overlay.
June 2007 - Geelong Cultural Precinct Masterplan
The City of Greater Geelong and the State Government are developing a masterplan for the Geelong Cultural Precinct.
The plan will investigate potential arts, cultural and commercial developments in the precinct, which encompasses the area bounded by Ryrie, Gheringhap and Mercer Streets, Railway Terrace and Fenwick Street.
Facilities to be considered for the precinct include:
- An upgraded performing arts centre
- A convention and exhibition centre
- An upgrade of the Geelong Gallery
- An upgrade of the Geelong City Library
- The relocation of the City''s civic accommodation
- The future of the State Government office building
Former City of Greater Geelong Mayor Cr Peter McMullin is chair of a steering committee, which will oversee the masterplan''s development. A Stakeholder Reference Group has also been established.
The City of Greater Geelong and the State Government has each contributed $250,000 to fund the masterplan.
For further details contact Major Projects Victoria on geelongcultural.precinct@mpv.vic.gov.au or call Marcelle Ganly, Project Manager, Major Projects Victoria on (03) 9655 6896
Major Projects Victoria Website: http://www.majorprojects.vic.gov.au/Web3/majorproj.nsf/AllDocs/987BAA0F031BB0B7CA2572180017A605?OpenDocument&CollapseView
