Apollo Bay & Marengo Neighbourhood Character Review BACKGROUND REPORT November 2003 288 Brunswick Street Fitzroy | Victoria 3065 | [email protected] | T 9411 4075 | [email protected] | T 9411 4010 Apollo Bay & Marengo Neighbourhood Character Review Acknowledgments Council Officers The development of the Apollo Bay and Marengo Neighbourhood Character Review was guided by a group of Council officers who met to workshop issues throughout the project. The assistance of the following officers and of the Colac Otway Shire is gratefully acknowledged: Ron Mildren General Manager Environment and Planning Darren Frost Planning Coordinator Rob Davis Major Projects Contractor Chubb Fadgyas Planning Consultant Eddy van Til Planning Officer Katy Bright Planning Officer Phil Rosevear Planning Officer Helen Evans Planning Officer Study Team Lisa Riddle Co Project Director Mike Scott Co Project Director Claire Scott Project Coordinator, Workshop Facilitation Michael Natoli Project Surveyor, Mapping and Graphics Bryn Davies Project Assistant Planisphere (Urban Strategy Planners) 288 Brunswick Street : Fitzroy : Victoria 3065 p: (03) 9411 4074 iii Apollo Bay & Marengo Neighbourhood Character Review iv Apollo Bay & Marengo Neighbourhood Character Review Foreword The brief for this Neighbourhood Character Review was to objectively critique the previous character study prepared for Apollo Bay and Marengo in May 2002, and rework and strengthen the recommendations so that they could be implemented through the Colac Otway Planning Scheme. This involved re-surveying the residentially zoned areas of the townships, describing the characteristics through words and photographs, and producing guidelines, policies and controls to manage the unique character of the coastal towns. This review sets out the means by which to protect and enhance the valued characteristics of the townships. The success of this review will require collective understanding and concerted action by the Council, local community and developers alike. We present this review as the vehicle for initiating protection, management and enhancement of neighbourhood character within Apollo Bay and Marengo. Lisa Riddle and Mike Scott Planisphere November 2003 v Apollo Bay & Marengo Neighbourhood Character Review Contents Acknowledgments.........................................................................................................iii Foreword.........................................................................................................................v Contents.........................................................................................................................vi List of Appendices........................................................................................................vii 1. Brief and Method..........................................................................................1 1.1 Brief.................................................................................................................2 1.2 Methodology...................................................................................................3 Study Process Diagram.................................................................................................5 2. Policy Context...............................................................................................7 2.1 State Policies..................................................................................................8 2.2 Council Policies............................................................................................10 2.3 Other Relevant Documents..........................................................................13 2.4 Previous Character Study............................................................................17 3. What is Neighbourhood Character?........................................................19 3.1 Neighbourhood Character Defined..............................................................20 3.2 Neighbourhood Character Principles...........................................................22 3.3 Neighbourhood Character Types.................................................................24 4. Neighbourhood Character in Apollo Bay and Marengo........................29 4.1 Community Values.......................................................................................30 4.2 Detailed Survey............................................................................................32 4.3 The Character of Apollo Bay & Marengo.....................................................33 5. Character Directions for Apollo Bay and Marengo................................37 5.1 Preferred Character......................................................................................38 5.2 Character Guidelines....................................................................................39 5.3 Key Character Issues...................................................................................41 6. Implementation...........................................................................................45 6.1 Implementation Context...............................................................................46 6.2 Considerations..............................................................................................47 6.3 Statutory Options..........................................................................................48 6.4 Directions from DSE & Planning Panels......................................................52 6.5 Recommendations........................................................................................53 6.6 Use of Overlay Controls...............................................................................54 6.7 Non-Statutory Options..................................................................................55 6.8 Neighbourhood Character Amendment.......................................................56 vi Apollo Bay & Marengo Neighbourhood Character Review List of Appendices A. Response to the Brief and DSE Letter B. Precinct Issues Papers C. Council Officers’ Comments Summary D. Letter to DSE and DSE Response E. Amendment Documentation vii 1. Brief and Method