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About the project

Map of Willis Street to be sealed — Proposed road to be sealed.

A petition received in February 2024 demonstrated that there was support to seal the unsealed section of Willis Street, Portarlington between Harding and Brown Street.

We have now completed the necessary design to enable us to understand the cost of sealing this section of road with kerb and channel and are seeking to understand the level of support for the road to be upgraded via a Special Rate and Charge scheme (SRC). Further information regarding our special Rate and Charges Policy can be found here

We invite you to join the conversation to enable us to identify if sealing this section of Willis Street, Portarlington as a cost sharing arrangement is something you support or if you would prefer to see the road remain unchanged.

There are a number of ways for you to do this:

Hello and welcome. This survey is available in languages other than English.

To change the language click the button at the top right corner of this page and select your preferred language.

You can provide your answers in your own language.

If you need an interpreter, please call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450 and ask them to telephone the City of Greater Geelong on 03 5272 5272. Our business hours are 8.30am – 5.00pm.

This interpreting service is free.

Timeline

Timeline item 1 - complete

Project Commences

Project Initiation commenced in August 2022 through an early engagement. This section of road was supported.
In July 2023, an SRC engagement showed this section of road was not supported.
A petition was received in February 2024 indicating support. We are now re-engaging.
Timeline item 2 - active

Community Engagement

Benefitting property owners are invited to have their say on the proposed road sealing with kerb and channel upgrade via our survey.
Survey opens Friday 2 August 2024.
Timeline item 3 - active

Community engagement closes

Survey closes 5pm Friday 30 August 2024.
Timeline item 4 - incomplete

Community Feedback Reviewed
Timeline item 5 - incomplete

Community informed of next steps

Letters were sent to all benefitting property owners to advise of the next steps on 12 December 2023. An Intention to Declare report will be provided to Council at the 26 March 2024 Council meeting.
Timeline item 6 - incomplete

Intention to Declare Submission period open

Submission period open from 12 April 2024 - 5pm 20 May 2024.
Timeline item 7 - incomplete

Submission Review
Timeline item 8 - incomplete

Declaration report presented to Council
Timeline item 9 - incomplete

Residents informed of the outcome
Timeline item 10 - incomplete

Contract tender process / Procurement

An advert will be placed to invite tenders from construction companies to perform these works.
A contract will then be drawn up and signed. Residents will be notified when the works will commence.
Timeline item 11 - incomplete

Opportunity to object to VCAT

Benefitting property owners now have the opportunity to object to VCAT (Victorian Civil Administrative Tribunal). Submissions close at 5pm on ?

Process steps explained

As outlined in the 1989 Local Government Act, the following statutory steps will be followed with every Special Rate and Charge Scheme.

The SRC process may be initiated by the City, property owners or residents within the area.

The level of preliminary investigation, survey and consultation will usually depend on the complexity of the issues surrounding the need for the infrastructure.

The City will seek the views of all those property owners who may be the subject of a scheme through an early engagement and make an assessment of the degree of support before proceeding to survey and design.

The Council views consultation as an essential element of all SRC Schemes. This may be done in various ways depending on the circumstances and may include correspondence, brochures, public meetings, personal contact etc.

Councilors and Council Officers are always available to provide information and importantly to receive feedback on property owner’s views and opinions.

The Local Government Act requires the City to carry out certain formal processes:

A report is presented with all details of a proposed SRC scheme and the City may resolve its “Intention to declare a "Special Rate or Charge”.

The scheme is then advertised (Geelong Advertiser) and at the same time a letter of advice sent to all owners.

The process provides for owners to make submissions and objections to Council regarding any aspect of the scheme, which must be lodged within 28 days.

A Submissions Review Panel of Councilors is then convened and submitters may address this Panel.

The Panel having considered all submissions and information makes a recommendation to the City.

A detailed report is then placed before the Council which includes the Submissions Review Panel recommendation.

If the Council resolve to proceed, the SRC Scheme is declared. The Council may at this stage also modify or abandon the scheme.

Given a resolution to declare the SRC Scheme, a notice is issued to each owner liable to pay the charge. This indicates the estimated amount of the rate or charge and advises of rights to seek a review via the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). An application to VCAT must be lodged within 30 days of the issue of the Council notice.

On application, VCAT will conduct a hearing and advise all parties of its decision.

Council will send a payment option form and, as instructed by the Local Government Act 2020 (Amendment ), start invoicing within 12 months of the scheme being declared.

When works are completed, the costs are finalised and an adjustment made to each owners costs to reflect the actual, final costs. Where the finalised actual costs are lower than the amount paid a refund will be provided.

On completion of works, a final report will be provided to Council to advise of the final costings. Residents will be advised of any cost adjustments at this time. Please note that in line with the Local Government Act 1989, should the project go over budget, residents will never be charged more that a further 10% or the original cost.

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FAQ

Can I provide feedback another way as I'm not comfortable using online tools?

Contact Us

Have questions or want to learn more about a project, contact us below:

Name	Alison McGorman, SRC Program Manager
Phone	03 5272 4608
Email	engineeringplans@geelongcity.vic.gov.au
Website	yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au/
In writing	PO Box 104 Geelong Vic 3220

Back to SRC project home page

Phone	03 5272 5272
Website	www.geelongaustralia.com.au/contact/

Phone

03 5272 5272

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Willis Street, Portarlington (Harding - Brown Street) - SRC 372

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About the project

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