We've prepared draft development guidelines to help shape the future redevelopment of the Coles and Woolworths sites in Balaclava.

The guidelines set out Council's expectations for future development and will be provided to Coles, Woolworths and the Department of Transport and Planning. They will also help inform Council's assessment of any future planning applications for the sites.

We want to hear from the community to test whether the guidelines describe the right future outcomes and identify any gaps or improvements that should be considered.

This is not a consultation on a specific development proposal. Participants are not being asked to design the site. Instead, we're seeking feedback on the outcomes that future development should achieve.

The draft guidelines are organised around four themes:

• Public Spaces and Streets
  Creating attractive, safe and welcoming public spaces and streets.
• Activities and Uses
  Supporting local businesses, services, housing and community activity.
• Access and Movement
  Making it easy and safe for people to walk, cycle, drive and access the area.
• Built Form (Buildings and Character)
  Ensuring future buildings are well designed and respond to the character of Balaclava.

Each theme includes a range of objectives and requirements that future development proposals should meet. Some provide flexibility in how the objectives can be achieved, while ensuring development responds to the needs and aspirations of the community.

How will my feedback influence the Draft Guidelines?

We're eager to hear your feedback on the Draft Guidelines and combine this with other considerations such as feasibility, and expert advice to make sure we create the best possible outcomes for everyone.

What you can influence:

Your feedback will shape decisions about:

• Activation and interface design: How shops, businesses and community spaces connect with streets, public spaces and people.
• Pedestrian permeability: How easy it is to walk through and around the site and access nearby destinations.
• Open space and landscaping: The location, design and quality of open spaces, greenery and places for people to relax and gather.
• Built form quality and transition: How new buildings look, feel and fit in with surrounding homes, businesses and streets.
• Access and movement priorities: How people move around the area, priorities for walking, cycling, public transport, driving, parking and access.
• Extent of retention of heritage buildings: How much of the site's historic buildings and character are retained and incorporated into future.

What you can't influence

Your feedback will shape decisions about:

• Fixed Requirements: Planning rules, including what types of uses can be provided on the site and minimum parking requirements.
• Planning Scheme requirements: Planning rules set what types of activities can occur on the site and how much parking must be provided.
• Section 173 obligations: Existing legal agreements require certain things to be delivered on the site, including public parking and a full-line supermarket.
• Supermarket operational requirements: The supermarket needs to function efficiently, including customer access, deliveries, loading areas and waste collection.
• Feasibility considerations: Future development needs to be practical and financially viable so it can realistically be delivered.
• Other technical requirements: Safety, infrastructure, servicing, engineering and other technical standards must be met.

Share your feedback using the tools below. If you would like to receive a paper survey, or to talk to the team in your language please contact us using the contact details on this page.