Pakington North Community Panel Information Pack

THE CIT Y OF GREATER GEELONG

INFORMATION PACK PAKINGTON NORTH COMMUNITY PANEL

PAKINGTON NORTH URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK 12 JANUARY 2024

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF COUNTRY We Acknowledge the Wadawurrung People as the Traditional Owners of the Land, Waterways and Skies. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. We Acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are part of our Greater Geelong community today.

CONTENTS Welcome

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Introduction

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What happens in the sessions?

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What is a Community Panel’s role?

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What is expected from me as a participant?

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What can I expect from the City?

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What can i expect from the Consultant team?

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Key Information

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Session Details

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Housekeeping

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Access to private Have Your Say page

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Contact Information

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Project Team

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INFORMATION PACK

Welcome to the Pakington North Community Panel (the Panel). Thank you for your ongoing interest and contribution to the Pakington North Urban Design Framework (UDF) through being a part of this deliberative engagement process.

As part of this process, we promise that we will listen to your advice and solutions. Your recommendations will be used to prepare an Urban Design Framework for Pakington North.

We have an exciting journey ahead and look forward to seeing your recommendations reflected in a new Urban Design Framework.

The information in this pack will have you ready to engage with City and each other at our first session.

Happy reading!

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INFORMATION PACK

Introduction This document provides key information for you to prepare to fully participate in the panel sessions commencing in February 2024.

As you may be aware, Council adopted the Pakington North Urban Design Framework Community Panel Engagement Strategy on 24 October 2023 (see further reading). This document sets out the approach to design and deliver this process through a deliberative engagement approach.

The objectives of this deliberative engagement process are:

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To recruit a panel of community members reflective of the diversity of the (wider) Geelong West community (this is you, as panel member you are one of the representatives reflecting the diverse and broader community that has a relationship with Pakington North).

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To co-design with the Panel, core elements of the Urban Design Framework (UDF) for Pakington North Precinct that is understood and supported.

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To understand community aspirations and concerns regarding the UDF and future developments of the Pakington Street North Precinct to inform design of the new UDF.

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To ensure an open, transparent engagement process that the panel, community members and stakeholders are confident is informing design of the UDF.

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To increase the Panel and community understanding of the planning process and how the UDF will facilitate sustainable development through dialogue and deliberation.

The overarching scope of the engagement is:

The City of Greater Geelong is preparing an Urban Design Framework* to guide future development in the Pakington North Precinct to revitalise the area and help accommodate demand for new homes, retail, services and jobs. On this basis, what are the community’s recommendations for the future development of the Pakington North Precinct?

The above scope is the key question we will be asking you to resolve. The scope articulates what can be considered and influenced through the engagement process. The panel will work together to deliberate over a number of key themes. The themes relate to public realm, built form controls and access and movement.

*The Urban Design Framework will consider how people use the streets and public spaces, how they will move about, how the local character will be preserved, and the styles and use of future buildings and other places.

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INFORMATION PACK

What happens in the sessions?

Each session will focus on a specific theme. We will ensure that you have all the relevant information available to be able to formulate recommendations at the end of each session.

Before the session: A week before each session you will receive a prereading pack via email which is specific for that session and prepares you for the topic we are discussing. The document will include:

Session 1 - Setting the Scene and understanding the Drivers for Change This session will be about getting to know each other, learning and listening. It is focused on providing a strong foundation of knowledge and set you up in your role as a panel member and how you will work together to develop panel recommendations.

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What we will be discussing and the agenda of the session;

The City will be providing you with essential information, and background of the challenges facing Geelong today and the role of Pakington North Precinct within the municipality. We will also hear from others in relation to what is important for Pakington Street North and learn about development economics.

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What is up for discussion and what is not;

Session 2 - The Public Realm

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Key information relevant to the theme. This may be existing policy, technical information and other matters that need to be considered in relation the theme.

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Reference maps and other key information.

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The pre -reading for the first session on 8 February and second session on 10 February will be sent to you no later than 1 February. It would be ideal if you can review this reading before the session, but if you do not get time, that is okay too.

This session will focus on understanding the context and future of Pakington North within the lens of the public realm. Your values and aspirations will be key to identifying priorities for the area. This session takes a blue-sky approach, where you will be encouraged to share your ideas and stimulate discussions, and then work together to develop a set of recommendations.

During the session: During the session you will hear from experts and professionals who will provide key information and explain the key considerations required to deliver quality outcomes. They will also be available to answer your questions. You will then start the discussions and deliberations with your fellow panel members to come to a set of recommendations. Capire Consulting Group (as independent facilitators) will lead each session and will make sure that each panel member will get the opportunity to contribute in the way that is comfortable to them.

After the session: A summary of the key outcomes of the session will be prepared and shared.

The City will start to reflect the recommendations of the panel in a new Pakington North UDF which will be shared during the proceeding panel session.

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Session 3a and 3b - Built Form This session is split in two. It will focus on understanding the context and future of Pakington North within the lens of the built form. A variety of tools used to test various aspects within this topic will be discussed and utilised.

You will be encouraged to share your ideas and stimulate discussions, to then develop panel recommendations.

Session 4 - Access and Movement This session will focus on understanding the context and future of Pakington North within the lens of access and movement. A variety of issues and opportunities will be discussed and you will be encouraged to share your ideas and stimulate discussions. This session will also develop recommendations from the panel to inform the UDF.

Session 5: UDF Endorsement The recommendations of the Panel will be used by the City’s Urban Design Team to prepare the Urban Design Framework for Pakington North Precinct. During this last session the Community Panel will check if the panel recommendations are correctly reflected in the Urban Design Framework with a key output a panel endorsed UDF.

INFORMATION PACK

What is the Community Panel’s role?

Ask questions

The purpose of the panel is to work together to deliberate over the identified key aspects and develop a set of recommendations that will inform the Urban Design Framework for the Pakington North Precinct. We all have an important role to play to ensure we can get the most out of this process.

We want to make sure that you understand the information being shared in this process. We welcome you to ask any questions you have, whether you are unsure of something, looking for clarity, or just want to confirm a point. We commit to doing our best to answer your questions. If there is a question we can’t answer during the session, we will strive to get in contact with you afterwards with an accurate response. If you have a question, someone else might be wondering the same thing, and sharing the knowledge will benefit everyone.

What is expected from me as a participant?

The Panel has the ability to influence Council decisions and provide real value to outcomes that directly impact the Pakington North Precinct. As part of the deliberative engagement process, we are asking you to do a few things:

Take in information You will be provided with information about Pakington North Precinct. We ask you are open to receiving the information and learning new things. Having a strong foundation of knowledge will help to provide the best result for the engagement process.

Provide advice No one knows your community quite like you do. We ask that you provide respectful advice, as it is your voice and your values that will go into shaping UDF. The deliberative engagement process is designed to generate discussion. We have some expectations of you while you practice taking in information, thinking hard, asking questions, and providing advice. We ask that you abide by these expectations, which will guide a meaningful and respectful discussion: 1.

Attend engagement activities including arriving on time and remaining for the duration of the session.

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Take advantage of the information provided to learn as much as you can about the subject.

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Treat all people in a respectful and courteous manner and allow others to express their views.

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Maintain a strategic focus for determining long term needs,l and not use the engagement to raise individual issues.

Think hard You will be an active participant in this process. We ask that when you are taking in information, that you think about how it will impact your community and the council at large. We ask that you think about its effects in the present and in the future.

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INFORMATION PACK

Just like in a game of footy, we believe in “going for the ball, not the player”. Never attack the person who is voicing something you disagree with. Instead, reflect on the idea, and in what ways your position differs from it.

The process of deliberative engagement is designed to take on your feedback in a meaningful way. Unconscious bias impacts how we think, work, and relate to others.

When you categorise people and things without being aware, this is a form of unconscious bias. Unconscious bias can get in the way of learning new things, showing empathy, and being open to new ideas.

We can start overcoming unconscious bias by recognising that it exists. Then, we can think critically about it. We can recognise that reality is multifaceted like a diamond, and not double-sided like a coin.

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We can also proactively assess and challenge assumptions that we hold, take contrasting views, and see things through the perspective of another. Through critical thinking, we can unpack unconscious bias by bringing it into the light. Learning about these biases is the first step. Managing bias and changing behaviours and reactions is a longer journey.

Some strategies you can use to combat unconscious bias range from: being critical of stereotypes, hearing about the individual experiences of others, thinking of people and things that challenge stereotypes and why, adopting others’ perspectives, and interacting with different kinds of people.

Please use these strategies in the panel and when formulating the recommendations for the UDF.

INFORMATION PACK

What can I expect from the City?

The City is committed to engaging with you respectfully, responding to your questions and will not seek to influence the Panel’s recommendations.

Each session there will be a range of different Council Officers who will present information and are able to answer questions.

The Urban Design team will be in attendance to help with the sessions but also to listen. The Urban Design team will work between the sessions on the UDF which will be informed by your recommendations.

Further Reading If there are references to documents or aspects in this document that have prompted your interest for a deeper dive, you can find further information via the links below. This is not required reading for the Community Panel.

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Council Meeting Agenda, 24 October 2023 includes Pakington North Urban Design Framework Community Panel Engagement Process https://cityweb.geelongcity.vic.gov.au/ common/documents/8d5a50ab0f129c9councilmeetingagenda-24october2023.pdf

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International Association for Public Participation https://iap2.org.au/about-us/

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City of Greater Geelong Community Engagement Policy https://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/ governance/documents/item/654812cd. aspx

The City is also the project manager of the project and we will ensure that the broader community (outside the panel) will receive regular updates on this process.

What can I expect from the Consultant team?

Capire Consulting Group (Capire) are community engagement experts who will be working with the City in facilitating the deliberative engagement workshops.

Capire’s consultants will be present at the community engagement workshops to facilitate meaningful and respectful discussion that results in real and positive change for the Pakington North.

The team at Capire are here to ensure you have a good experience as you work to co-design the UDF.

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INFORMATION PACK

Key information Session Details We will start each session on time. Please arrive 10 minutes earlier to settle in, have some food (catered for) and socialise. For meetings at Wurriki Nyal, please note that a sign-in will be required, make sure you have sufficient time to sign in. Doors will open 20 minutes before the official start of each session.

SESSION Session 1 Setting the Scene and Understanding the Drivers for Change

Session 2 The Public Realm

Session 3a Built Form

Session 3b Built Form

Session 4 Access and Movement

Session 5 UDF Endorsement

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TIME

VENUE

Thursday, 8 February, 5.30-8.30pm

Geelong West Town Hall (153 Pakington Street, Geelong West)

Saturday 10 February, 12.30-5.30pm

Wurriki Nyal (137-149 Mercer St, Geelong)

Thursday, 29 February, 6.00-8.30pm

Geelong West Town Hall (153 Pakington Street, Geelong West)

Thursday, 7 March, 6.00-8.30pm

Wurriki Nyal (137-149 Mercer St, Geelong)

Saturday 16 March, 12.30-5.30pm

Wurriki Nyal (137-149 Mercer St, Geelong)

Thursday, 18 April, 6.00-8.00pm

Geelong West Town Hall (153 Pakington Street, Geelong West)

INFORMATION PACK

Housekeeping After the final session you will receive remuneration as a thank you for all the time and effort you have put in.

The maximum amount will be $100, if you have missed a session you will receive a pro rata amount.

Access to private Have Your Say page We have set up a Have Your Say Page for the Community Panel. This page can only be accessed by the Panel members and project team (City and Capire). The page will have all the documents we have provided, key information and the session details. All relevant documents will be added to this page. You will also have the opportunity to ask the project team questions or continue the discussion online with other panel members.

It is valuable to be able to share panel questions and responses in a transparent way so all panel members can benefit from the additional information.

Details on how to access the page will be provided closer to the commencement of the sessions.

Project Team City of Greater Geelong Kate Shearer Acting Manager City Design Sabine Provily Coordinator Urban Design Shwiti Ravisankar Senior Urban Designer Gunali Ajgaonkar Urban Designer Felicity Bolitho Coordinator Community Engagement Erin McHugh Community Engagement Officer

Contact Information

Capire Consulting

Email

Denise Francisco Senior Associate

urbandesignandheritage@geelongcity.vic.gov.au

Phone

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For dietary requirements and other session related enquiries, please contact: Kathleen Dinsmore on 03 5272 5007 For enquiries relating to the project, please contact: Shwiti Ravisankar on 03 5272 5438

Clare Murell Associate Charlotte Yu Consultant

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