Council has voted to delay the release of the draft
Osborne Park Precinct Master Plan to the community.
Council has instead requested officers re-scope the draft
master plan to reflect the discussion at the meeting and consider a heritage
interpretation plan as part of that process.
A report to council on an approach to re-scoping the plan
is due by the end of October.
Some councillors
have expressed concern that the draft master plan in its current state, does not
fully reflect the intent of the motion moved by Councillor Eddy Kontelj on 24 July
2018.
The adopted notice committed to a master plan that
determined the community and commercial uses of the precinct, whilst also
considering recommendations from the Conservation Management Plan and feedback
from key stakeholders and the community.
The 2018 notice of motion also aimed to allow council to
explore a range of funding options to restore Osborne House.
The
City has so far carried out a comprehensive program of engagement activities on the precinct,
including six drop-in sessions, 20 interviews with 40 stakeholder representatives and two online surveys, which received 317
responses.
After council voted against releasing the draft master plan to the public
last night, Mayor Bruce Harwood moved an amendment that was seconded by Councillor
Sarah Mansfield.
Councillor Bruce Harwood – Mayor
The draft master plan wasn’t accepted by the majority of councillors and
they’re seeking more consultation about it.Officers will come up with an approach to re-scope this draft master plan
before the end of October for council to reassess.
Councillor Sarah Mansfield
I support the amendment for officers to report back to council with an
approach to re-scope the draft master plan and to consider a heritage
interpretation plan.Osborne House is iconic to Geelong and I hope we can do something
meaningful with the precinct, that reflects the site’s history, needs of
stakeholders and feedback from the community.
