In June 2006 Council engaged a consulting team to assist with the development of a new Medium Density Housing Strategy (MDHS) for the municipality. The strategy has since been renamed "Housing Diversity Strategy", to better reflect it's concern with a range of housing types and densities, rather than being focussed on medium density housing alone.
 
The Housing Diversity Strategy aims to:

• Provide certainty to the community as to where different housing types and densities will be supported or discouraged by Council;
• Provide for the development of a range of housing types and densities in the municipality and;
• Provide for the development of a sustainable overall urban structure in the City of Greater Geelong.

The Housing Diversity Strategy defines three different area types with reference to the general density and type of development which each area is expected to accommodate:
 
Key Development Areas; being areas where medium and higher density mixed use development will be actively encouraged. Key Development Areas include Central Geelong (particularly Western Wedge), large potential re-development sites in existing urban areas and purpose designed precincts in new growth areas;
 
Increased Housing Diversity Areas, being areas within walking distance of a range of activity centres and transport hubs where a mix of medium density and conventional density housing will be encouraged, with the density of development being greater at the core of the area and lower at the edge of the area; and
 
Conventional Suburban Areas, being all residential areas that are not defined as Increased Housing Diversity Areas or Key Development Areas, where the majority of new development will be in keeping with Geelong's traditional suburban character.
 
The Housing Diversity Strategy recognises the diverse housing needs of different people, the ease with which different areas can accommodate different development densities, and the broader needs of the environment.
 
The approach supports increased housing densities in the most beneficial locations, so that more conventional densities in other areas can be preserved for longer. Importantly, all individuals are provided with greater certainty regarding the type of housing and rate of urban change that can be expected in different parts of the municipality.

• Figure 1 - Greater Geelong Urban Areas (PDF-1274KB)
• Figure 2 - Housing Diversity Strategy Study Area (PDF-1148KB)
• Figure 3 - Different Housing Types (PDF-228KB)
• Figure 6 - Central Geelong Key Development Area (PDF-2055KB)
• Figure 7 - West Fyans Key Development Area (PDF-1070KB)
• Figure 8 - Waurn Ponds Key Development Area (PDF-1154KB)
• Figure 9 - Proposed Armstrong Creek Medium and Higher Density Housing Areas (PDF-1002KB)
• Figure 10 - Housing Densities Around Activity Centres (PDF-674KB)
• Figure 11 - Increased Housing Diversity Areas (PDF-1067KB)
• Figure 12 - Incremental Change Areas (PDF-978KB)
• Figure 13 - Comparision of Built Form Outcomes in Incremental Change Areas (PDF-87KB)
• Figure 14 - City of Greater Geelong Housing Capacity Map (PDF-997KB)
   
• Housing Diversity Strategy Report - Part 1 (PDF-3768KB)
• Housing Diversity Strategy Report - Part 2 (PDF-2937KB)
• Housing Diversity Strategy Report - Part 3 (PDF-2823KB)
   
• Housing Diversity Strategy Final Report - Appendix 1 (Part 1) (PDF-1312KB)
• Housing Diversity Strategy Final Report - Appendix 1 (Part 2) (PDF-2696KB)
• Housing Diversity Strategy Final Report - Appendix 1 (Part 3) (PDF-2632KB)
• Housing Diversity Strategy Final Report - Appendix 1 (Part 4) (PDF-2254KB)