Geelong: Transit Cities Program
Transit Cities is a major Victorian Government program aimed at creating opportunities for people to live and work in the same area - reducing the need to commute and increase time spent with family and friends.
Geelong Transit City Projects
Geelong is an important location because it:
- is Victoria's second major city and the focal point of the State's south-west region
- provides an exceptional waterfront setting for encouraging development in the central area.
The development of Geelong will be guided by the Western Wedge Master Plan, approved by Greater Geelong City Council in 2005 after wide consultation.
Another relevant document is the Urban Design Framework developed for the Geelong Railway Station Precinct in July 2008. The Framework outlines some of the potential opportunities for the long term redevelopment, layout and uses of the Railway Station Precinct.
The Framework is the combined vision of the State Government, City of Greater Geelong, Urban Designers, Architects, Landscape Architects, Transport Planners and Development Feasibility experts for how the railway station should grow now and in the future.
The Framework provides the rationale for a number of initiatives underway most notably, a new road/approach from Mercer Street to the station entrance.
It is important to note that not all of the options shown in the Framework are funded or will be implemented in the short term, as some projects will be considered in the longer term planning for Geelong Railway Station and priorities will evolve.
The Urban Design Framework can be downloaded from the City of Greater Geelong website.
Current Projects
In the 2008-09 State Budget, the Government committed $24.5 million to undertake projects in Central Geelong including works around the Geelong Railway Station Precinct over the next four years, including:
- A new street from the railway station entrance (east side of the station) to Mercer Street, and a new signalised intersection at Mercer Street.
- A new forecourt, roundabout and other complementary works at the Station.
- A feasibility study of development options for land on the north east corner of the Railway Station Precinct.
Geelong Station Precinct Planned Investments Summary (PDF - 1,017 KB)
Geelong Station Precinct Planned Investments Summary (DOC - 35 KB)In addition, a number of other projects are underway including:
- Central Geelong Urban Living (CGUL): a pilot project to encourage urban style apartment living in central Geelong
- Streetscape improvements on Bayley Street, Transit Place and Clare Street to provide improve pedestrian safety and amenity.
Bayley Street Transit Place and Clare Street Fact Sheet (PDF - 477 KB) Bayley Street,Transit Place and Clare Street Fact Sheet (DOC - 37 KB) CGUL Fact Sheet (PDF - 597 KB) CGUL Fact Sheet (DOC - 34 KB)Geelong Cultural Precinct
In addition, $7.9 million was committed in the 2008-09 State Budget for Stage 1 of works in the Geelong Cultural Precinct, including:
- An upgrade of the Courthouse Youth Arts Centre.
- Detailed planning work and business case development for the Geelong Performing Arts Centre, the Geelong Central Library and the Geelong Heritage Arts Centre.
Development Assessment Committees
The State Government will establish Development Assessment Committee's (DACs), in partnership with the local government sector, to make planning decisions in relation to areas and matters of metropolitan and regional significance. The Government is consulting with the local government sector on the implementation and operation of DACs before they are established. Each DAC will comprise: an independent chair, mutually agreed between the State Government and the local government sector, in consultation with the relevant councils; two standing State Government nominees; and two local government nominees. DACs will initially be introduced in central Geelong, Camberwell, Coburg, Doncaster Hill and Preston (High St). DACs will progressively be introduced across all 26 Principal Activity Centres and sites of metropolitan significance.
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More information is available from the Geelong Transit City contact.
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