DPM Consulting Associate Director John Mathios was among the stormwater experts invited to present expert evidence at the Standing Advisory Committee hearing for Geelong’s Creamery Road Precinct.
The independent Standing Advisory Committee report has now been released, supporting the planning framework for the precinct and recognising the extensive work undertaken by the City of Greater Geelong, technical experts and relevant agencies.
The City describes Creamery Road as one of the most significant future urban growth projects in regional Victoria. Once developed, the precinct is expected to deliver approximately 4,200 new homes and accommodate around 11,770 residents.
Alongside much-needed housing, the precinct planning framework provides for new government and non-government schools, a community hub, parks, recreation areas and improved access to local centres and community facilities. It also includes the protection and enhancement of the Cowies Creek Conservation Area, delivering long-term environmental, biodiversity and recreational benefits.
Planning for a Connected and Liveable Community
Large urban growth projects require more than simply identifying land for new homes. They need coordinated planning that considers how people will move through the area, access essential services and remain connected to schools, open space, transport and community facilities.
The Creamery Road Precinct Structure Plan aims to establish a connected, liveable and sustainable community where residents can live, work, learn and play close to home.
Achieving this requires evidence-based planning across multiple disciplines, including transport, infrastructure, environmental management, urban design and stormwater engineering.
Why Stormwater Expertise Matters
Sound stormwater planning is fundamental to the success of new communities.
Stormwater conditions can influence road levels, lot layouts, drainage reserves, open-space design, development yield and construction staging. Addressing these considerations early helps create a planning framework that is technically achievable and capable of supporting development over the long term.
Effective stormwater planning also helps manage flood risk, protect downstream properties and reduce the impact of urban development on surrounding waterways.
For precincts such as Creamery Road, this means carefully balancing housing and infrastructure delivery with the protection of sensitive environments such as Cowies Creek.
Stormwater strategies may consider how runoff is collected, conveyed, treated and stored across the precinct, as well as how drainage infrastructure can be integrated with parks, waterways and open-space networks. When these systems are planned as part of the broader precinct rather than in isolation, they can support safer, more resilient and more liveable neighbourhoods.
Providing Evidence to Support Better Planning Outcomes
Expert evidence plays an important role in the Standing Advisory Committee process. It helps test technical assumptions, identify potential risks and provide decision-makers with a clear understanding of how proposed planning controls and infrastructure strategies may operate in practice.
John’s involvement reflects DPM Consulting’s experience in providing practical stormwater and water resources advice for complex land development and urban growth projects.
We are proud that DPM’s technical expertise contributed to the broader planning process and helped inform a framework designed to support Geelong’s future growth while protecting the environmental qualities that make the area unique.
The favourable report represents an important milestone for the Creamery Road Precinct and demonstrates what can be achieved through strong technical collaboration, long-term planning and a shared focus on creating sustainable communities.
Read more about the Standing Advisory Committee report and the Creamery Road Precinct:
