• The landowner of the former CSIRO site in Highett has proposed a Development Plan for the site that includes:
  • Approximately 1048 dwellings;
  • 3 hectares of nature conservation land;
  • Community facilities (library and maternal and child health centre);
  • Minor retail facility; and
  • 1 hectare of public open space.
• The proposed development includes buildings that range from 2-7 storeys.
• Internal roads and pedestrian paths are also proposed for the site.

• The CSIRO demolished buildings at the site and undertook remediation.
• Significant trees were removed from the site before the site was included in the Planning Scheme and Council had control of this as the Responsible Authority.
• CSIRO sold the site to the current landowner, Sunkin Property Group in 2020.
• The sale included an agreement that 3 hectares would be transferred to Bayside City Council as a conservation area, as well as 1 hectare for public open space.
• Planning controls were applied for the site in 2020 to allow its future redevelopment.
• The 3 hectare conservation area has not been remediated to preserve the natural environment.

• With the sale of land, the CSIRO is no longer a Commonwealth place. This requires that the site be included in the Planning Scheme.
• The location of the site adjacent to the Highett Neighbourhood Activity Centre commercial area and Highett Railway Station, together with its predominantly residential context, establishes a strong strategic basis for its future use for significant infill residential development.

• Planning controls were applied to the former CSIRO site by the Minister for Planning that would facilitate its redevelopment, primarily for residential uses. These planning controls are the Residential Growth Zone – Schedule 3 (RGZ3) and the Development Plan Overlay – Schedule 2 (DPO2).
• The DPO2 requires the landowner to prepare a Development Plan to coordinate the development of the site before a planning permit can be granted.
• Highett Structure Plan
  • Identifies preferred maximum height of predominantly 4 storeys, with 5 storeys to the north, 3 storeys to the south and 2 storeys along the east and west perimeter
• DPO2 – Former CSIRO Site, Highett
  • Existing height controls allow up to 6 storeys at the northern end of the site, but are discretionary
  • At least 4.0 hectares of land for conservation and open space purposes, which is to include: – 3.0 ha of land for conservation purposes in the southern portion of the site. – 1.0 ha of land for passive open space purposes, distributed across the balance of the site, in a manner that provides for equitable local access and good urban design outcomes.
  • A comprehensive transport analysis, which identifies transport, traffic and access management plan which includes measures to address the transport, traffic, pedestrian and bicycle needs of the development.

• The landowners/residents immediately surrounding the site will be most impacted by the development.
• Existing planning controls under the DPO2 aim to ensure that future development appropriately interfaces with its surroundings and responds to the existing community context to avoid negative impacts to amenity.
• The engagement program will ensure that those directly and indirectly impacted by the proposed development are appropriately notified and have an opportunity to provide feedback.

• The proposed Development Plan includes a transport analysis of potential traffic volumes resulting from the development of the site.
• Council will consider this as part of its assessment process to ensure that the development does not significantly impact the functionality of the road network.

The traffic analysis in the Transport Impact Assessment is based on turning movement counts recorded on Thursday 31 October 2019 between 7:30 and 9:30am and 4:00 and 6:00pm, and traffic counts between Thursday 7^th and Wednesday 13^th November 2019. All analysis was based on pre-Covid traffic counts.

The dates in the Transport Impact Assessment Appendix B: SIDRA INTERSECTION RESULTS is the time stamp of the traffic analysis program.

• The proposed development features privately owned residential housing. It does not include community or public housing.
• Affordable housing is intended to be facilitated by the development of the subject site through the developer making a financial contribution based on a percentage of dwelling sales to be gifted to affordable housing provider(s).

Affordable Housing Strategy

The proposed Development Plan was submitted before Council adopted is Affordable Housing Strategy in June 2021, so Council negotiated with developer for a financial contribution to be made to the Not-for-Profit Organisation (Homes for Homes) via a mechanism called a section 173 agreement under the Planning & Environment Act 1987.

This means the proposed Development Plan for the former CSIRO at Graham Road features privately owned residential housing. It does not include any affordable housing, community or public housing. Instead, the developer has agreed to make a financial contribution to the Not-for-Profit Organisation, Homes for Homes. Donations from each property sale made to Homes for Homes will be added to the growing pool of funds to then develop affordable dwellings within Victoria where it’s needed most. This financial contribution has been negotiated through a Section 173 Agreement which is utilised to set conditions or restrictions on the use or development of the land between the developer and the planning responsible authority (Council). You can find out more about Homes for Homes on their website here: https://homesforhomes.org.au/ If you have questions about this, please give the project line a call on 9959 4441

• Prior to the site sale, the CSIRO undertook community consultation regarding the remediation and sale of the site over 2015 to 2020 via face-to-face meetings, letters, newsletters, doorknocks, the public website, FAQs, and a dedicated email and phone hotline.
• The Development Plan must undergo a formal statutory process for approval that includes the opportunity for community feedback.
• The community may provide feedback on the proposed development through a submission to Bayside City Council.
• If the proposed development plan is approved, subsequent planning permits for the development of the site will be exempt from public notice and review under the provisions of the DPO2.
• This means that there will be no further opportunities for community feedback regarding the site’s redevelopment once the Development Plan is approved.
• Only submissions made directly to Bayside City Council during the consultation period of 16 August – 19 September 2021 will be formally considered by Council. Making a submission to Council also provides the community the ability to be involved in any appeal process at VCAT.
• Submissions to Council can be made via the submission form on the project website. Submissions can also be made in the form of a file uploaded via the project website, or email to the project team at planningstrategy@bayside.vic.gov.au. Written statement submissions can also be delivered by hand or post to Bayside City Council, 76 Royal Avenue 3191.
• To receive updates about this project, please select the blue ‘subscribe’ button at the top of this webpage.

• All submissions received during the consultation period (16 August - 19 September 2021) will be considered as a component of Council’s assessment of the proposed development 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; and
  • Staging and management of construction.
• There are a number of aspects of the redevelopment process for the site that cannot be influenced by feedback. These include:
  • 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 that 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.

• Council will consider all submissions received from stakeholders and the community as part of the process of considering the proposed plan.
• The statutory process to consider the proposal is underway, and a decision on whether to approve the plan is anticipated in late 2021.
• If the plan is approved, the timing of construction is at the discretion of the landowner.

• Council is responsible for assessing the proposed Development Plan.
• Part of this assessment process is the consideration of community feedback, which Council will collect via submissions.
• The landowner may conduct additional activities to inform the community of the proposed development, but Council does not have any involvement in these activities.
• Council will consider all submissions received during the consultation period (16 August - 19 September 2021) prior to deciding whether to adopt the proposed Development Plan.

• To receive updates about the proposed Development Plan, please select the blue ‘subscribe’ button at the top of this webpage.
• Alternatively, please send a request to receive updates via email to planningstrategy@bayside.vic.gov.au or by letter to the Strategic Planning team at Bayside City Council, 76 Royal Avenue, Sandringham 3191.
• Project subscribers will receive notification by email at key stages of the project, including when the matter will be discussed at a Council meeting, the publication of a community engagement report, and when decisions are made regarding the application.