About the proposed network

• Why are you considering additional footpaths for Ocean Grove?
• • The Ocean Grove Town Centre Urban Design Framework (UDF) was adopted by Council in June 2014. It was recommended that a Principal Pedestrian Network (PPN) be developed to create a network of paths connecting activity centers, sports facilities, and schools, to meet the growing community as the town transitions from holiday town to popular permanent resident settlement.
  • Community engagement was undertaken in 2016 and again in 2019/20 to confirm the locations of priority footpaths due to the lack of footpath infrastructure - particularly in old Ocean Grove.
• What should we expect if this scheme goes ahead?

• A principal pedestrian network for Ocean Grove that will allow all residents access to key destinations via a network of connected paths.

  Not all residents will have a path in their street but will be within a very short walk to the network.

  You can view a map of the network and list of all streets in the document library.

  
  

• What materials will be used if the footpaths go ahead?

• The current City standard for footpaths is concrete which will be used for the network.

  Concrete offers the most durable material with the least ongoing maintenance.

• Will the footpaths connect the schools, shops and other community facilities?

• Yes, the proposed footpath network will enable ease of connection to schools, shops and community facilities.

• Can I request another street to be added to the proposed network?

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• The plans shared during the engagement were for 11.3km and 22.7km. Why is the new plan 25.2km?

• After discussing the proposed networks at the 2019/20 engagement, many attendees suggested additional streets which have now been included, namely:

  • Wallington Road, between Lake Avenue and Bell Street
  • Collendina Reserve – gravel path
  • Presidents Ave in front of park where there is an existing gravel path
  • Tuckfield St East Side, reviewed to be a shared path and better interconnections with Emperor Ave and The Parade
  • Orton St South, Sweetman Pde to Presidents Ave given the street is an arterial road and the newly built traffic lights at Presidents
  • Field Street South, extending the recently completed road sealing works in Baker Street through to The Terrace
  • The Parade, Wallington to Field St South
  • The Parade, joining existing paths between Eggleston St and Tuckfield St, which is the arterial road section on the south side
  • Begola Wetlands – gravel path

  Several other streets were also suggested but were not included in the network as they either received less pedestrian traffic than alternative streets or were considered problematic due to nearby native vegetation. This included

  • Wallington Rd, west side from Orton to The Avenue Asbury St East, Madeley St and Draper
  • Spray St & Surfers Ave
  • Dare St
  • The Avenue, Wallington to Field St Sth
  • Wiltons Road
  • Orton St South
  • Bramwell St –Eggleston St and Tuckfield St

  Grubb Road was also suggested however, it is outside of the SRC area. The City is working with Regional Roads Victoria to have this footpath built as part of the Grubb Road duplication.

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• Can I request a street to be removed from the proposed network?
• You may request to seek an amendment to the network via the SRC submission process. Please see the 'Make a Submission' section.

  Your request will be considered alongside the community consultation that has been conducted previously.

  
  The PPN was developed in consultation with the community in 2015 and 2019/20. The 2015 engagement allowed the City to identify the network based on community feedback. The 2019/20 engagement allowed us to refine the selected network enabling the balance needed for footpaths while maintaining the coastal feeling of Ocean Grove.
  
• What streets are included in the network?

• You can view a list of streets here

• How did you select the streets that are included in the network?

• The PPN was developed in consultation with the community in 2015 and 2019/20. The 2015 engagement allowed the City to identify the network based on community feedback.

  The 2019/20 engagement allowed us to refine the selected network enabling the balance needed for footpaths while maintaining the coastal feeling of Ocean Grove.

• Will the footpaths connect with bus stops?

• Whilst we will be unable to provide a connection to all bus stops in Ocean Grove, our aim is to connect with the main township bus stops.

About Special Rates and Charges

• What is a Special Rate?

• Special Rates or Special Charges are different from general rates and charges because they are levied for particular works or services and they are levied on a limited number of ratepayers.

  Councils can levy a special rate, a special charge, or a combination of these to help pay for any council service or activity that will be of special benefit to a group of property owners.

  Common examples of special rates or charges include schemes for constructing footpaths, roads, kerbs and channels or drains.

  Special rates and charges must be levied in proportion to the special benefits to which they relate. Before a council proposes a special rate or charge, it must estimate the proportion of the benefits of the proposed works or services that will be of benefit to the people who are liable to pay.

  For more information visit our website geelongaustralia.com.au

• How do you work out who pays what amount?

• Calculations on cost apportionment is carefully worked out following strict guidelines as set out under Section 163 of the Local Government Act 1989.

• What is the cost per property?

• Under an equal share model – which was supported by a majority of property owners who participated in community engagement - property owners would each contribute $507 (see Past Engagement tab).

• When will I be charged my contribution for the scheme?

• Property owners will be invoiced as works are complete. Dates will be determined when the works schedule is finalised.

• I can’t afford to pay for this scheme, what options are available for payment?

• Once works begin you will be sent a payment form where you will be able to select from 4 payment options. The payment options are

  • Pay in full within 28 days interest-free
  • Pay in 2 quarterly installments over 6 months interest-free
  • Pay in 8 quarterly installments over 2 years
  • Pay in 20 quarterly installments over 5 years

  We recognise that there may be instances when owners and retirees on a pension may find themselves in difficult financial circumstances. Property owners may approach our Finance Department with the view to arranging a payment schedule which suits their individual circumstances.

• I don’t want the scheme to go ahead. How do I oppose the scheme?

• There will be a submissions period open for 28 days after the City’s Intention to Declare the scheme has been advertised. All submissions will be invited to a panel meeting. The scheme may be abandoned at this stage.

  You can do this via the "Make a Submission' section or via written submission to

  Coordinator Revenue Property and Valuations,

  City of Greater Geelong

  PO Box 104,

  GEELONG, VIC 3220

  Should Council decide to declare the scheme, there will be a further submission period where objections can be sent to VCAT. Further details on VCAT objections will be made available should Council declare the scheme.

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• Why should I pay when I do not get a footpath in front of my property?

• Although you may not get a footpath directly outside your property, you will be in close proximity to the footpath network and therefore, also receive a benefit.

  
  Through the community engagement, the City sought feedback on the preferred cost apportionment and in both instances (2015, 2019/20) there was majority support to share the costs equally through the community.

• I want the footpath network, but I don’t want to pay for it. How do I contest the scheme?

• There will be a submissions period open for 28 days after the City’s Intention to Declare the scheme has been advertised. All submissions will be invited to a panel meeting. The scheme may be abandoned at this stage.

  You can do this via the "Make a Submission" section on this webpage or via written submission to

  Coordinator Revenue Property and Valuations,

  City of Greater Geelong

  PO Box 104,

  GEELONG, VIC 3220

• How many properties will be contributing to the scheme?

• The project has been assessed as benefiting the greater Ocean Grove community with special benefit being assigned to 6,245 properties.

• We pay annual rates why do we need to pay more for footpaths?

• The City is asking for landowner contribution to the scheme as rates do not fund projects where the local community benefit more than the wider City of Greater Geelong. Many of the footpaths that have been built in the City have been funded through this system. The City will maintain and replace the proposed footpaths as part of the rates collected.

  Landowners in new housing estates have paid for the footpaths and other services up front when they have purchased their block.

About the engagement process

• What community engagement has happened to date?

• Initial community engagement on the PPN was undertaken early in 2016, which focussed on the footpath network priorities and exploring funding options. The results were reported in late 2016.

  The engagement provided residents the opportunity to complete an online or hardcopy survey and attend two drop-in information sessions. Over 800 surveys were completed and around 50 residents attended an information session.

  The community was asked to choose a preferred funding model for footpath infrastructure. From the three funding options presented, 777 responses were received and summarised in the table below.

  During December 2019 – March 2020 further engagement was conducted with 5,644 property owners likely impacted by a scheme. They were invited to have their say via a survey and presented with further information related to the scope and delivery of works along with various cost apportionment options.

  To ensure property owners were well informed when completing the survey, 12 community engagement sessions were held where attendees were able to view the network maps and ask questions about the project. Over 450 people attended these sessions.

  Further information regarding Community Engagement can be found via the 'Prior Engagement' section on this page.

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• What were the results of the engagement?

• Feedback from the outcome of the community engagement can be found in the "Prior Engagement' section on this webpage.