Geelong’s approach to urban design and planning is unsustainable in the long-run and largely ad hoc, Deakin Ward candidate, Bruce Lindsay, said today. Mr Lindsay made his comments in the context of the recent release of a planning panel report into the proposed Armstrong Creek Urban Growth Plan. The Plan envisages approximately a 25% increase in the size of Geelong by mid-century. The Panel report has recommended removing from the Plan many of the ‘greener,’ more progressive elements.
Mr Lindsay said: ‘Council and Geelong communities need to look at the basic principles and models underpinning planning in the region, to move away from an uncritical "carpet" sprawl on the urban fringe. This sort of urban sprawl needs to be subject to considerable scrutiny. There is ample evidence of social and health problems associated with it, such as isolation and obesity. Then there are the adverse environmental effects, not least loss of green spaces and increased greenhouse emissions from high dependency on cars.’
‘Among other things, the Armstrong Creek proposal will put up to 24,000 more cars on local roads over coming decades.'
He continued: ‘Essentially, that is a product of the car dependency that goes hand-in-hand with this model of development. It imposes considerable cost-shifting onto families, especially with the inevitable reliance on two or more cars, and inadequate planning and delivery of services.’
‘Although the original Armstrong Creek proposal had its shortcomings, the Planning Panel’s report is a much more retrograde step. For instance, it removes ‘greenways,’ cuts the amount of proposed open space significantly, and in regard to many important services and community infrastructure just says "Oh, don’t worry, sort that out later, or just take it out." In effect, the Panel has backed the developers’ ambit claim.’
‘It is irresponsible to give the green light to development without processes for signed and sealed delivery of all relevant infrastructure and services before development starts. That means having funding and arrangements in place to make sure the public transport is going to be there, the kindergartens are going to be there, the local police station is going to be there, and the open space and biodiversity corridors are protected.’
Mr Lindsay concluded: ‘I am calling for a wide-ranging inquiry, under the auspices of Council, into Geelong’s urban and regional design, with terms of reference to include:
* A vision for the sustainable and long-term form of urban and peri-urban Geelong; * How such a vision can be delivered in the context of climate change and/or peak oil constraints; * How urban form will contribute to the development and engagement of community; * How urban form affects the delivery of community services and infrastructure; * The role of urban design in the delivery of affordable housing.’
For comment or more information, contact Bruce Lindsay 0439 035 277
