Council to consider proposal to rezone former school site

Council will this week consider how to respond to a State Government proposal to rezone the former Golden Square Secondary School site.

A report to be tabled at Wednesday’s meeting states that the Government wants to rezone the land at 41-73 Hattam Street from Public Use 2 (Education) to a General Residential Zone in preparation for sale.

The Minister for Planning has established an Advisory Committee to consider submissions from a range of stakeholders, including the City of Greater Bendigo.

The report to Council states that City Officers have concerns about a blanket rezoning to residential of the 6.78 hectare site.

“According to the City’s mapping information it is likely that there are numerous capped mine shafts on the site which raises the possibility of the site being potentially contaminated,” the report states.

It notes that the proposal does not reflect the City’s desire for the existing gymnasium and oval to remain as recreational assets.

The Environment Protection Authority has also raised concerns around amenity with the proposed General Residential Zone abutting industrial land. Typically this is avoided so that industries can expand to support economic growth.

VicRoads has advised that a Traffic Impact Assessment Report will need to be undertaken to address traffic and access impacts on the main road. Direct access to the site from Hattam Street would not be permitted and all existing accesses must be removed.

“Having regard to this it is considered that a blanket residential zoning of the site is inappropriate,” the report to Council states.

It suggests an alternative approach:

  • Industrial 3 or Commercial 2 Zoning for part of the western section of the Hattam Street frontage. This would allow for light industrial and showroom type use that would have minimal impact on residential uses.
  • The oval and gymnasium to be given the appropriate recreational or educational zoning.
  • The land at the rear with frontage to Stanistreet Crescent be given a residential zoning with an Environmental Audit Overlay.

Submissions to the Advisory Committee are due on September 6.

The Council Agenda is available online at www.bendigo.vic.gov.au