The City of Greater Geelong has put Amendment C433 which proposes planning scheme changes to guide the future of Pakington Street and Gordon Avenue out for public exhibition.

The amendment covers three precincts Pakington North Pakington Heritage Core and Gordon Avenue and proposes to implement two Urban Design Frameworks (UDFs) which were adopted by Council in May last year. Adoption of the Pakington North UDF followed a deliberative community engagement process in early 2024.

The UDFs will create vibrant connected and sustainable neighbourhoods through a vision that balances growth heritage protection and the need for improved public spaces with more housing choice commercial opportunities and better walking and cycling links close to central Geelong.

The Pakington Heritage Core precinct will be protected and enhanced through modest growth while Pakington North will feature mid-rise mixed-use development with shops services and community spaces at ground level and housing above. Gordon Avenue will transition from larger format commercial uses and low-scale housing to mid-rise mixed-use buildings with new housing offices and services.

Key changes include land rezoning to a mix of Residential Growth Zone Mixed Use Zone and Commercial 1 Zone rezoning Council-owned land at Autumn Street to Public Park and Recreation Zone for a future park and applying design and development overlays to guide building height setbacks landscaping and street character.

As part of the public exhibition process submissions on Amendment C433ggee are open until Monday 1 September 2025 and documents can be viewed online or in person at Wurriki Nyal or Geelong West Library.

Council will then meet to consider the submissions received. Any submissions that cannot be resolved are likely to be considered at a Planning Panel Hearing appointed by the Minister for Planning where submitters will be invited to speak to their submission before a decision is made on the amendment at a future Council meeting. If Council ultimately decides to adopt the amendment the amendment would be sent back to the Minister for final approval.

Greater Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj OAM:

There are three distinct precincts: the Pakington Street heritage core as well as frameworks for future new development and enhancement to Pakington North and Gordon Avenue both which permit more housing.

The amendment and all the supporting documentation can be viewed on our website allowing the community to see exactly what has been proposed so they can make informed submissions.

Councillor Andrew Katos chair of the City Planning portfolio:

This is an important moment in the history of Pako and it will shape the precincts for future generations.

All submissions will be carefully considered so ensure your submission is in before 1 September so that your views can be recorded and considered in the final outcome.