Significant community benefits will be delivered for the Highton community, with City of Greater Geelong Councillors last night endorsing the Final Urban Design Framework for Highton Village.
The delivery of the UDF will result in a masterplan for streetscape upgrades for Belle Vue Avenue, Belle Vue Arcade, Village Walk, Barrabool Service Lane.
The UDF will retain the village feel of Highton while delivering more greenery, enhanced local shopping experiences, and improvements to safety, parking, and traffic.
The UDF was endorsed with the following changes:
- A maximum preferred building height of 9 metres on Belle Vue Avenue to protect the character of the Highton Village;
- The roundabout on Belle Vue Avenue will be retained;
- Access to the Clock Tower will be retained;
- Access to the service road from Belle Vue Avenue and Barrabool Road will be retained; and
- There will be no net loss of car parking, with no additional pedestrian crossings.
The adoption of the UDF follows five stages of community engagement since 2016.
Community members will have further opportunities to engage and provide feedback during the planning scheme amendment process and as part of the design of all future public realm upgrades.
Kardinia Ward Councillor, Ron Nelson
It is important that Council reflects the views of the community in its decision making and I am glad we have reached this outcome. Council has listened and taken on board the concerns and views of residents and this is an appropriate path forward.
Highton Village is a unique area within Geelong and has always offered a wonderful alternative option to the major shopping centres in our region.
I am pleased that we will put in place the design measures to ensure its charms and features are retained, given they are a major attraction for so many people.
