Council has supported a matter for Urgent Business raised
by Councillor Ron Nelson, regarding the GreaterGeelong Planning Scheme‘s Community Care Accommodation clause.
Community Care Accommodation is land used to provide permanent,
temporary and emergency accommodation and care services. It may include
supervisory staff and support services for residents and visitors. This land
use and development doesn’t require planning approval from council if the clause’s
requirements are met.
The Mayor will write to the Minister for Planning, requesting
a review of Clause 52.22 of Victorian Planning Schemes in relation to Community
Care Accommodation, to allow for a more transparent process by providing for
community input into such development proposals.
The letter will also highlight that the current
provisions fail to provide for community consultation in relation to issues
around design, height, scale, bulk and neighbourhood character.
Councillor Bruce Harwood – Mayor
I’ll be meeting with the state government and plan on raising the
issues surrounding this clause’s process.Without community consultation, I don’t think the state government has been
able to make the most informed decision on these developments.
Councillor Ron Nelson – Kardinia Ward
Council prides itself on its high level of community consultation and
it’s concerning the public hasn’t been given the opportunity to have its say,
as this commercial facility from the Haven Foundation is being built in a
residential area.There is a growing need for appropriate mental health facilities in the
region, however the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme’s ‘Community Care
Accommodation’ clause leaves both council and the community powerless to have
any input towards the solution and on issues around location, design, scale and
neighbourhood character.This isn’t just a Highton issue, this has the potential to impact the
make-up of suburbs across Victoria.
