A Development Plan has been proposed for the former CSIRO site in Highett at 37 Graham Road and 32 Middleton Street in Highett. This process seeks to inform stakeholders and the community of the site’s background and the relevant statutory processes, and to consult on the proposed Development Plan.

• The proposal would create a new residential precinct with approximately 1,048 homes from 2-7 storeys.
• The proposal would deliver the 3ha of conservation land and 1ha of public open space that Council secured as a condition of the site’s sale.
• According to the provisions of the Bayside Planning Scheme, if the plan is approved, future planning processes will not include opportunities for community feedback.
• Further project impacts and considerations are addressed in the Frequently Asked Questions.

Council must consider community feedback on the various components of the proposed Development Plan before a decision can be made on whether to approve the proposed plan.

Council is seeking feedback on the following aspects of the proposed plan:

• The scale, form, layout of buildings and the interface with adjoining properties
• Mix of uses, dwelling types, internal amenity and provision of affordable housing
• Design of open space and landscaping/planting
• Integration with surrounding area
• Location and components of community facilities
• Access movement, traffic management, and parking layout
• Staging and management of construction

• The site will be developed because it has been given Residential Growth Zoning and Development Plan Overlay under a previous planning scheme amendment. The site will be redeveloped as a residential precinct under these existing controls.
• Restricted access to conservation area will continue. Council will develop a masterplan for the Highett Grassy Woodland in 2021/22.
• Previous vegetation removal occurred prior to the current landowner when the site was commonwealth land, and Council was not the responsible authority at the time.
• Requirements for the Development Plan are set out in DPO2. The provisions contained in this planning control have already been gazetted and are therefore established policy. The proposal must comply with these requirements.

This stakeholder assessment is a generalised understanding of sections of the community that have a connection to the project or matter. This information is used to understand the types of tools and techniques that will achieve the strongest and most effective outcomes for engagement and communication.

Impact: What level of change the stakeholder / community segment may experience as a result of the project / matter

Interest: What level of interest has been expressed or is anticipated

Influence: Reference to the IAP2 Spectrum

The tools and techniques selected for this project are informed by the project content, stakeholders and type of feedback sought. The impact of COVID-19 may restrict our ability for face-to-face communication, as well as slower distribution of printed mail.

Key tools for communicating the project

• Project signage on-site
• Statutory notification letters (posted 16 August 2021)
• Council’s website and Have Your Say engagement website
• Website news stories
• Newspaper notice
• Social media
• Contact with Council staff via Have Your Say Q&A forum, project email to planningstrategy@bayside.vic.gov.au, phone to 9599 4441 and bookable meetings
• Printed project information available at Corporate Centre

Key methods for gathering feedback

• Written submissions via a submission form or document upload on Council’s Have Your Say project website or emailed to planningstrategy@bayside.vic.gov.au. Posted or hand-delivered hard copy written statement submissions to Council's Corporate Centre will also be accepted.
• Feedback must be received via a written submission to be considered as part of the statutory process of assessing the proposed Development Plan.

Submissions will be accepted from 16 August – 19 September. Council will consider feedback in its assessment of the proposed plan, and will decide whether to approve the plan in late 2021.

Council will consider all submissions received during the consultation period prior to deciding whether to approve the proposed Development Plan.

Community feedback will be considered alongside technical reports and consultation with State Government.

In accordance with the statutory processes outlined in the Bayside Planning Scheme, no additional community engagement will occur for future planning permit processes for this site.

For enquiries related to this project, please contact Council's Strategic Planning department via email planningstrategy@bayside.vic.gov.au or phone 03 9599 4441.