Hobsons Bay City Council 23 August 2016

Ordinary Council Meeting Agenda

Appendix 9

Service Report -Strategic Development

Service Report – Strategic Development

CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

GENERAL

Sister Cities An exhibition of photographs of Buloke Shire, taken by members of the Hobsons Bay Men’s Shed and Williamstown Camera Club went on display at Council’s Civic Centre foyer. Alongside the photographs sits the Hands of Friendship quilt, kindly loaned by the Altona Village Traders Association.

ARTS AND CULTURE

The Substation The Substation’s application to Creative Victoria’s organisational funding round was successful with $300,000 over four years ($75k per year) to support its operations, an important milestone. Applications closed for the Substation Contemporary Art Prize with more than 200 entries received to be shortlisted. The presentation of The Rabble (which has been theatre in residence to develop its work) was well attended and received positive reviews including in The Age. The Newport Archives was presented as part of Open House Melbourne. The Melbourne Festival program was announced with The Substation presenting work in October.

Several artists are in the process of developing works and practice at The Substation. Two artists are working at The Sticky Institute, a shop and resource devoted entirely to ‘zines, on 100 Years Zine, combining archival records and personal histories to tell the story of Newport as a suburb.

Woods Street Arts Space Laverton The August to December Woods Street Arts Space program was released and distributed. The program includes: pottery, life drawing, Polynesian dancing, African drumming and open sessions in partnership with Laverton Youth Foundation and Hobsons Bay Youth Services. Platform for Youth theatre company have also begun to use the space for rehearsals on a weekly basis. The monthly art workshop for families with Little Art Big Art continues to draw large audiences of 80-100 participants.

An artist-in residence, The Blockumentary, will begin on 2

September. Working with the team from the Projector Bike to create a short documentary film engaging local people. The film will be screened as part of Art in Public Places 2017.

Public Art The exhibition of Council’s draft Public Art Strategy was completed and reporting prepared for its endorsement. The work follows on from the completion of the first People Piers Pelicans public art strategy, and further defines public art to include temporary arts activations, murals, lighting and design treatments.

The artists shortlisted for the Toyota funded Kororoit Creek public art commission are scheduled to present to the Art Project Advisory Group on 31 August.

Exhibitions and Cultural Projects Work continued on the 2016 Mayoral program cultural heritage street signs project, with Altona, Altona Meadows and Newport research completed and Laverton underway. The main part of the installation will be completed in August.

From Within We Grow, the multicultural arts exhibition featuring the stories and work on the Karen community in partnership with artist Anuradha Patel opened at Louis Joel Arts and Community Centre on Saturday 30 July 2016 with a community celebration including Crashendo from Laverton P-12.

Indigenous culture The Balit Gulinya Aboriginal Planned Activity group, based out of the Laverton Hub have been engaged in doing pottery workshops at the Woods Street Arts Space in the lead up to the next Orbital rotation.

Collection Management The Sons of Williamstown project has been nominated for a Victorian Community History Award in the ANZAC category. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on 17 October at the Arts Centre.

Initial project planning is underway for the conservation of the two heritage Bills Horse troughs situated in Williamstown. This includes indentifying a conservator to scope the necessary works.

Three heritage interpretation panels have been remade by Banana Graphic for the Nelson Place precinct. These new panels replace existing ones that had suffered from damage/ wear and tear.

Festivals and Events

Planning continued for the November presentation of Art and Industry as a new event for the city that puts a spotlight on industry, under the moniker of ‘Celebrating our past, designing our future’. Art and Industry is produced by Hubcap Productions under the direction of Newport resident Donna Jackson, and will take place this year between 18 and 27 November. The program is due to be announced on Friday 9 September at the Pumping Station at Scienceworks. A sponsorship agreement was developed with Jubilee Sailing Trust Australia, in support of the upcoming visits to Seaworks by its tall ship Tenacious. Based in the UK, Tenacious is one of two tall ships purpose built to enable people of all abilities to experience tall ship sailing. Council supports the visit with Williamstown as its host port in Victoria. In addition to the visitor attraction provided by tall ships in Nelson Place, Council will be working with community groups across several leadership areas, including opportunities for young people, people with disabilities. Tenacious was officially welcomed to Hobsons Bay on Sunday 14th August at a function attended by the Mayor and including a Welcome to Country and performance by Hobsons Bay Band. The access-all-abilities tall ship will have Seaworks, Williamstown as its home base during its stay in Victoria and will be a major drawcard for the city.

Event Approvals and Assessments

Officers have assessed more than 40 event applications in the first six months of the year. Event support materials were provided to Williamstown’s Book and Paper for its early morning opening in store appearance by Andy Griffiths on 9 August. Williamstown Literary Festival held its AGM in August following its successful June event.

Filming Several filming applications were received and processed including multiple locations for Wentworth, Dr Blake Mysteries, (HAZEL any others)

Street Banners The following flags have been on display during the period:

Corporate flags

Tenacious welcome flags

Marketing Council’s quarterly events booklet (September-October) was compiled for distribution in August. The spring edition of the Hobsons Bay arts and events e-news was published. Several community and cultural events were assisted and promoted, including “From within we grow” Karen multicultural exhibition, Tenacious tall ship arrival, Arts at Your Doorstep performing arts events including National Ballet school and Hobsons Voice, and the Woods Street Arts Space program.

VENUES

Altona Theatre

Old Laverton School

Williamstown Mechanics Institute

Williamstown Town Hall

Altona City Theatre’s ACTion (theatre for young people) ran a number of workshops. During this hire period, a number of casual hires and civic events took place including, immunisation sessions, West end Performing arts, Bacchus Marsh Grammar School, Mambourin Enterprises, Millennium Dance Concepts, Department of Economic Development, and Councils Performing Arts Program, Arts at your Doorstep, ran a season of the National Theatre Ballet to a full house. Weekly yoga classes, Laverton Garden Club meetings, Friends of Skeleton Creek meetings and church services were held at the Old School. Resident group, Williamstown Musical Theatre presented their junior season of “Shrek Junior”. Williamstown Historical Society meetings and Williamstown Film Society screening took place. Parkinsong Singing Group held two sessions. Approx. 2,200 people used the venue. The Williamstown Town Hall hosted functions for the Williamstown North Primary School teachers/parents social club, Teeyan West Deeyan – an Indian dance competition, a commercial High School dance competition and the VIPFAA Business Forum.

Council’s performing arts program, Arts at your Doorstep presented the annual presentations of the National Theatre Ballet and Hobsons Voice. The Australian Red Cross Blood Bank Service were based here at the Town Hall for a 4 day period, along with several meetings and other sessions. The major elements of the current repair and restoration phase have been completed and the building is steadily resuming full operations. Approximately 4,700 people used the venue.

HOBSONS BAY VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE

Hobsons Bay Visitor Information Centre (VIC)

The VIC received 2414 visitor contacts during July, an increase of 184 visitors for the same period last year.

The VIC successfully met the accreditation requirements of the Australian Tourism Accreditation Program.

Three staff members attended the Victorian Visitor Information Centre Summit held in Shepparton.

Volunteers attended a familiarisation tour of local accommodation providers and The Hellenic Hotel.

BUSINESS SUPPORT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Hobsons Bay Trader Associations – Altona, Laverton, Newport and Williamstown Projects and Programs

Newport Traders and Laverton traders conducted their regular meetings and are preparing the necessary documentation to report to Council as per their end of year responsibilities.

Altona Village Traders has conducted its final strategic planning meeting with their three year strategic plan to be finalised in the next month.

Officers attended the Local Council Engagement meeting conducted by Destination Melbourne to keep informed of tourism initiatives planned across wider metropolitan Melbourne.

Work is progressing on Hobsons Bay investment attraction and facilitation materials.

The August 2016 e-works newsletter was emailed to more than 8,000 local business contacts. Two business workshops were held during the period; ‘Bringing Independent Expertise into a Business’ delivered by The Board Advisory Group on Wednesday 3 August and Gov4U: Advice, Support and Grants for Small Business’ delivered by Council in partnership with state and federal government on Thursday 11 August. Council also supported Grant Ready in delivering a workshop on business grants and funding opportunities on Thursday 4 August.

Western Melbourne Tourism Officers attended the WMT Board Meeting on Thursday 21st July. The executive officer is included in the project steering group for the Destination Melbourne led Greater Melbourne Destination Management Plan as part of a package that includes representation for the five member Councils. WMT announced part of its professional development program for

tourism operators being a session for Air BnB hosts and stakeholders, to be held at the Williamstown Town Hall in August.

PLANNING, BUILDING AND HEALTH SERVICES

URBAN PLANNING

Planning applications received:

50 Planning applications

10 Certification applications

0 Liquor Licensing requests

0 Gaming License referrals

29 New enforcement matters

0 Plan Approval

Planning applications determined:

29 planning permits were issued and 6 planning permits were refused

8 subdivision applications were certified

12 subdivision applications closed (Statement of Compliance issued)

31 enforcement matters were closed

VCAT

The Urban Planning and Development Department received the following appeal decisions for April 2016.

Planning Application address and proposal:

Delegate Decision

VCAT Decision

PA1531923 - 202 Millers Rd, Altona North

Building and works – shop with associated advertising signage and a waiver of loading bay requirements

Refused

Approved

Planning Permit Application

Delegate Decision

VCAT Decision

PA1430078 – 109 Crofton Dr, Williamstown

Construction of a three storey dwelling on a lot of less than 300 square metres within a General Residential Zone (GRZ1) and; the construction of a building and construction or carrying out of works within a Design and Development Overlay (DDO8)

Refused

Approved

Planning Application address and proposal: Delegate Decision

VCAT Decision

PA1531373 – 67 Hanmer St, Williamstown

Partial demolition and buildings and works on land in a Heritage Overlay

Refused

Approved

Planning Application address and proposal:

Delegate Decision

PA1532997 – 8 Rosala Ave, Altona North

Construction of three dwellings (two double storey and one single storey to the rear)

VCAT Decision Approved

Varied

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

Planning Permit Application

PA1634649 – 40-52 McArthurs Road, Altona North.

A planning application has been lodged for the use and development of the land for the purpose of warehouses (62 tenancies) and a café (food & drink premises) together with a reduction in the statutory car parking requirement and the removal of an easement. Further information has been requested and the application will be advertised upon receipt of this.

Planning Permit Application

PA1634648 -

130 Ferguson Street, 90 & 92 Melbourne Road, Williamstown.

A planning application has been lodged for the Williamstown RSL site for the demolition of the existing buildings and construction of a five storey building comprising 69 dwellings, a ground floor retail tenancy, new RSL clubrooms with gaming room, two levels of basement parking and a reduction in the statutory car parking requirement.

The application has only recently been received so officers are assessing whether any further information is required. The application will be advertised in due course.

Planning Permit Application

PA1634675 – 36 Lush Court, Altona Meadows.

A planning application has been lodged for the use and development of the land for the purpose of a child care centre (96 places) and creation of access to a road in a Road Zone 1. The site is addressed to Lush Court but has a frontage to Central Avenue.

The application has only recently been received so officers are sending out any necessary referrals and assessing whether any further information is required. The application will be advertised in due course.

PLANNING ENFORCEMENT

Active and significant Enforcement matters

Planning compliance is currently dealing with 168 open files. 31 new files were opened.

31 of these are waiting for a planning permit/ amendment process.

116 are waiting for the subject to respond to Council’s requests.

21 require inspection/ reinspection.

0 Infringement notices were issued

BUILDING

Applications issued 61 Building Permits were issued by external Building Surveyors

0 Building Permit was issued by Council

Dispensation 17 new applications for Council Report and Consent were considered

21 were approved and 2 were refused

Building Notices 0 Building Notices were issued

Building Orders 1 Building Orders were issued

Building orders – Stop Work

0 Building Order to Stop Work was issued

Building orders – Minor Works

0 Building Orders for Minor Work were issued

Essential services 0 Commercial Essential Services inspections were carried out

Enforcement Matters Resolved

1 Enforcement issue was resolved

Emergency Orders 0 Emergency Orders were issued

Building Direction Notice

0 Building Direction Notices were issued

Building Infringement Notice

0 Building Infringement Notices were issued

PUBLIC HEALTH

FOOD

Food Inspections 51 mandatory food assessments and inspections were completed.

6 food samples were submitted for analysis.

HEALTH

Health Inspections 8 mandatory health inspections were completed

INFECTIOUS DISEASE

Department of Health and Human Services Infectious Disease requests

There was one request for investigation and report

ENVIRONMENT

CHARM Enquiries 30 customer requests were received; 12 related to community noise

STRATEGY AND ADVOCACY

PROJECTS

Biodiversity Strategy Work is continuing on the development of a Biodiversity Strategy to help plan for and manage Hobsons Bay’s important natural assets.

Update: The Technical Support Document is complete and work has commenced on drafting the Biodiversity Strategy.

Planning Reform

New Zones

The supporting background information to justify the location of the new residential zone boundaries is being prepared, which includes:

preparing a Housing Strategy

reviewing and updating the Neighbourhood Character Study

reviewing and updating the Activity Centre Strategy

Update: A Housing Strategy Background Report; Residential Design and Character Review (Neighbourhood Character Study) and Activity Centre Strategy have been completed and will inform the housing strategy and other strategic work.

Master plan for the

former Caltex site

The Amendment for the land at 38-48 Blackshaws Road, South Kingsville and part of 561-569 Melbourne Road, Spotswood; also known as the Former Caltex Site, South Kingsville was approved on Thursday 8 August 2013. As part of the amendment process, a master plan was required to be submitted to Council for approval. A concept plan and master plan and associated documents were submitted and the applicant has lodged an appeal to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). VCAT refused the proposed master plan.

Update: Following VCAT’s refusal of the master plan the applicants have applied to have the matter heard at the Supreme Court. A leave application, where it will be determined whether there is a question of law to be argued, has been postponed and is now likely to occur in mid December 2016. A hearing may or may not follow, depending on the outcome of the leave application.

Integrated Transport

Plan

An Integrated Transport Plan (the Plan) is currently being prepared. The Plan will

apply a network approach to the integration of transport and land use across

Hobsons Bay over the next 30 years. It will look at how Hobsons Bay can

integrate all transport options into a cohesive network to make it easier to connect

between cars, public transport, bicycles and walking.

Update: A workshop for primary school students to consider safety, traffic calming, time and proximity and behavioural/ attitude change was held to inform the preparation of the Integrated Transport Plan.

Burns Road

Industrial Estate Following extensive consultation with land owners within the Burns Road Industrial Estate, the Burns Road Management Group (BRMG) Steering Committee has been formed so that interested land owners can lead the way in undertaking the necessary and extensive investigations into the potential opportunities that could be achieved on the Burns Road Industrial Estate.

Update: Six land owners have been appointed to the Burns Road Management

Group Steering Committee (BRMG Steering Committee). The BRMG Steering

Committee is currently drafting a constitution and developing a governance

structure for the BRMG Steering Committee.

ADVOCACY

Fast Track Government Land Service – former school sites.

A Standing Advisory Committee was appointed pursuant to section 151 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 to advise the Minster for Planning on the

suitability of changes to planning provisions for land owned by the Victorian Government. Four former school sites were affected in Hobsons Bay. Laverton Primary School site was subsequently purchased by Council and the Eastona Primary School site was removed from sale after a successful advocacy campaign for it to be retained for future educational purposes. The two remaining

school sites affected are the former Altona West Primary School and Altona Gate Primary School. Update: Council presented a submission on the proposed planning controls for the two remaining sites to the Advisory Committee at the public hearing on 20 June 2016. The Advisory Committee is expected to submit its report to the Minister for Planning at the end of July. The report is not yet available.

Protecting the Yarra River (Birrarung) Discussion Paper

Hobsons Bay City Council provided a submission to the discussion paper prepared by the Yarra River Protection Ministerial Advisory Committee on future management options for the Yarra River. The overall direction of the discussion paper was supported, along with the importance of managing the Yarra River system holistically. The submission raised specific issues in particular management arrangements, local government’s critical role in river corridor management, funding constraints, land use planning and public access to the river system. The submission can be found on the Council website.

COMMUNITY CONSULTATION

Hobsons Bay 2030 Phase two of the development of Hobsons Bay 2030 started on the 4 August with the Meet and Greet of the community representatives. The Meet and Greet provided the community representatives with an opportunity to meet each other, find out more about the process and start to learn about the municipality. The next face to face meeting that this group will have is on the 27 and 28 August at the Community Workshops. Between now and then however the group will be busy with an online engagement process where they have access to additional information about the municipality, are having online discussions with one another about the information, and asking additional questions in the lead up to the weekend, where they will collectively write the vision and priorities for Hobsons Bay 2030.

Minimising Alcohol Harm Policy Statement (draft)

The draft Minimising Alcohol Harm Policy Statement was presented to Council and endorsed for six weeks public exhibition. The Policy Statement is scheduled for exhibition for four weeks until 20 September. The Policy Statement provides Council with direction for the minimisation of harm and, where possible, the prevention of the risks associated with excessive consumption of alcohol with particular reference to packaged liquor. In addition, the commitments and actions that will direct Council’s response have been identified, recognising that alcohol can contribute to the vibrancy of the social life and local economy of Hobsons Bay.

COMMUNITY EVENTS AND PROGRAMS

Lighting Recycling Program

Council has extended its agreements to June 2017 with Bunnings Altona and Simmers Hardware store in Williamstown to recycle used lighting from Hobsons Bay residents.

Council will promote the program widely across the municipality in the coming months.

Boomerang Bags Council is supporting the Altona Traders Association, Wader Beach Litter Hotspot Project group, Altona Country Women’s Association and the Altona Men’s Shed to implement the national Boomerang Bags initiative. Boomerang Bags is a not-for-profit, community initiative to reduce the use of plastic bags by engaging local

communities in the development of a free, sustainable alternative. The initiative involves the establishment of bag sharing, or Boomerang Bag boxes throughout a target business district. Each box is stocked with re-useable Boomerang Bags for customers to borrow if they have forgotten their own and to return on subsequent visits. The availability of free, re-useable bags reduces the need for single-use plastic bags. The initiative will be trialled in the Altona shopping precinct with potential to expand to other locations. Bag making workshops were held on 3 and 10 August at the Loom Room in Williamstown. Approximately 40 participants helped make the bags.

Residential solar program 2015-16

Council’s residential solar power program assisted 174 households install solar panels on their roofs in 2015-16. A total of 1,915 solar panels were installed equating to 498kW of renewable energy capacity and a saving of 825 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year. This is a significant contribution towards Hobsons Bay City Council’s goal of becoming a zero net emissions community by 2030.

Light$mart program 2015-16

The Light$mart program assisted nine Hobsons Bay businesses to upgrade their lights to energy efficient LED lights. This included upgrading over 2,100 lights through our program suppliers and providing the businesses with a combined energy saving of $116,000 per annum. The program has also provided an annual greenhouse gas emission reduction of 697 tonnes.

Altona North Strengthening Communities Program

The garden beds at Altona North Primary School were completed by Wyndham Park Community Centre (a social enterprise employing local Karen workers) and the new garden space was launched on Thursday 28 July. The whole of the school community were invited to attend, have a look around and provide input into how they would like the space to be used. The event was very successful, including engaging about 20 community members who have not been previously involved in the program. A plan for moving forward, reflecting the input from the day as well as the school’s needs, is now being developed between the program partners (Council, ISIS Primary Care and the school).

2016 Environment Grants Program

Council provided community groups and organisations with $21,982 in grants through its 2016 Environment Grants Program. These funds support community initiated programs that are in line with the environmental objectives of the Environmental Engagement Strategy, and help strengthen existing community capacity. The range of projects funded through the 2016 Environment Grants Program include monthly beach clean ups, workshop series, educational signage, the set up and extension of various school environment programs, gardening programs, community clothing recycling programs and an environment expo.

PLANNING SCHEME AMENDMENTS

Amendment C74 –Proposed Rezoning of part of Precinct 13 Akuna Drive, Williamstown North

Amendment C74 proposes to rezone the land from an Industrial 3 Zone to a Residential Zone with an Environmental Audit Overlay. A permit application has also been made for residential subdivision of the land.

Update: There are no new updates in relation to this amendment.

Amendment C88 – Proposed Rezoning of former Dons site

Industrial 1 Zone to the Residential Growth Zone and Mixed Use Zone. The proposal also includes the application of the Design and Development Overlay to guide future development, and the Development Contributions Plan Overlay to

Blackshaws Road, Altona North

levy development contributions and the Environmental Audit Overlay to address contamination. Council has requested further information from the applicants.

Update: Council is continuing to work with the Metropolitan Planning Authority (MPA) and the applicants to progress the amendment. Regular meetings are being held with all parties to facilitate the process. It is considered that MPA involvement will assist progression of the amendment in a timely manner.

Amendment C107 – Mobil Altona Refinery, Altona

A planning scheme amendment has been lodged by Tract consultants on behalf of Mobil for the Altona Refinery land on the north east corner of Millers Road and Kororoit Creek Road, which is covered by Heritage Overlay 202. The amendment proposes to introduce an incorporated plan into the scheme that removes the requirement for buildings and works as required with any heritage overlay, subject to specific requirements. Specifically, the amendment proposes to:

amend the Schedule to the Heritage Overlay to include reference to the Incorporate Plan

amend the Schedule to Clause 81.01 of the Hobsons Bay Planning Scheme to include a reference to the Incorporated Plan

Update: The exhibition period for Amendment C107 ended on 10 July 2016. One submission was received. Council resolved to request that a Planning Panel consider the amendment at the meeting on 9 August. A Directions Hearing was pre-set for the week of 26 September and a Panel Hearing was pre-set for the week of 17 October.

Amendment C109 Council has received an application for a joint planning scheme amendment and planning permit at 290-298 Millers Road, Altona North. The application proposes to rezone the land from Industrial 3 Zone to the Commercial 2 Zone with the application of the Environmental Audit Overlay and Design and Development Overlay. The change to the zone will allow for the land to be developed for large format retail uses. The planning permit application proposes a 4635m2 supermarket, several large retail stores with a combined area of approximately 8000m2 and car parking associated with all stores.

Update: Council officers have assessed the information submitted for Amendment C109 and have prepared a report for Council. The report considering preparation and exhibition of the amendment is currently before Council. .

Amendment C110 Amendment C110 proposes to include the requirement for a financial contribution towards development infrastructure and public open space as part of the development and subdivision of land in the Former Port Phillip Woollen Mill Strategic Redevelopment Area in Williamstown. The proposed contributions are required to implement the recommendations of the Former Port Phillip Woollen Mill Advisory Committee, which was established by the Minister for Planning to help establish a planning framework to facilitate the redevelopment of the site.

Update: Amendment C110 was approved on 21 July 2016 and was prepared and adopted by the Minster for Planning under the provisions of 20(4) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 to implement the above requirements.