Civic Drive Precinct Development Master Plan for Community ... · Drive, Greensborough. Key outcomes of the Civic Drive Precinct - Concept Development ... west and the indoor Diamond

Attachment 2

Civic Drive Precinct Development –

Master Plan for Community Facilities Upgrade

Full Report

HM Leisure Planning Pty Ltd Land Design Partnership

2015

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Table of Contents

1 ....................................................................................................................... 1

Civic Drive Precinct Master Plan ...................................................................... 1

1.1 Review Scope ........................................................................................ 1

1.2 Detailed Project Scope ........................................................................... 2

2 ....................................................................................................................... 3

Civic Drive Reserve: Assets & Opportunities ................................................... 3

2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................. 3

2.2 The Assets ............................................................................................. 3

2.3 Site Assessment and Opportunities ....................................................... 4

2.3.1 Access and Circulation: Issues ........................................................ 4

2.3.2 Access and Circulation: Opportunities ............................................. 8

2.3.3 Character and Amenity: Issues ...................................................... 14

2.3.4 Character and Amenity: Opportunities ........................................... 17

2.4 Other Wider Regional Open Space Opportunities ................................ 21

2.5 Overview ............................................................................................. 23

3 ..................................................................................................................... 26

Council Report Reviews & Implications ......................................................... 26

3.1 Review Scope ...................................................................................... 26

3.1.1 Nillumbik Shire Council, 2005: Open Space Strategy ................... 26

3.1.2 Nillumbik Shire Council, 2011: Recreation Strategy 2011-2019. Volume 1................................................................................................. 27

3.1.3 Municipal Early Years Plan. Our children, our community, 2009-2013 ........................................................................................................ 29

3.1.4 Shire of Nillumbik Health and Wellbeing Plan 2013-2017 .............. 30

3.1.5 Nillumbik Shire Council, Growing our Arts and Culture 2011-2017 (2nd ed., Nov. 2014) ................................................................................ 31

3. 2 Overview ............................................................................................. 33

4 ..................................................................................................................... 35

Community Demographics & Leisure Trends: Provision Implications ............ 35

4.1 Scope and Approach ............................................................................ 35

4.2 The Demographics of Areas Surrounding the Civic Drive Parklands .. 35

4.2.1 The Area Reviewed ...................................................................... 35

4.2.2 Population Size, Children, Age, Income and Car Ownership ........ 36

4.2.3 Cultural and Household Characteristics in Greensborough ........... 37

4.2.4 The Impact of Demographics: Overview ........................................ 39

4.3 Recreation and Open Space Provision Trends .................................... 39

5 ..................................................................................................................... 41

Needs and Aspirations ................................................................................... 41

5.1 Scope and Purpose .............................................................................. 41

5.2 First Round Consultations .................................................................... 41

5.2.1 Nillumbik Shire Council Officers ..................................................... 41

5.2.2 Service and Sporting Organisations .............................................. 45

5.2.3 Community ..................................................................................... 47

5.2.4 Minutes of Previous Working Party ................................................ 49

5. 3 Consultations Overview ....................................................................... 50

6 ..................................................................................................................... 51

Designing for the Future ................................................................................ 51

6.1 Scope .................................................................................................. 51

6.2 Master Plan Vision .............................................................................. 51

6.3 Design Principles ................................................................................. 51

6.4 Design Approach and Concept Options .............................................. 52

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6.4.1 Master Plan Functional Concept .................................................... 53

6.4.2 Master Plan Spatial Concept ........................................................ 55

6.5 The Master Plan .................................................................................. 58

6.6 Master Plan Implementation and Indicative Capital Costs ................. 68

6.7 Conclusion ........................................................................................... 71

Appendix 1: ................................................................................................ 72

Longer Term Development Phase / Option ................................................ 72

A1.1 Long Term Functional and Spatial Concepts ................................. 72

A1.2 Functional Concept – Longer Term Master Plan Development Option ..................................................................................................... 74

A1.3 Spatial Concept – Longer Term Master Plan Development Option ................................................................................................................ 75

HM Leisure Planning Pty Ltd / Land Design Partnership Civic Drive Precinct Development – Master Plan for Community Facilities Upgrade 2015

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1

Civic Drive Precinct Master Plan

1.1 Review Scope The present report and its recommendations constitutes the fifth of six projects described in the Nillumbik Shire Council Program Charter to implement the Civic Drive Precinct - Concept Development Plan 2011, as adopted by Council at its Ordinary meeting held on 20 December 2011.

The Civic Drive Precinct consists of the 6.5 hectares of Council owned land located at Civic Drive, Greensborough. Key outcomes of the Civic Drive Precinct - Concept Development Plan 2011 include the development and sale of approximately one hectare of the land to be used for 26 residential lots, and a substantial upgrade of community facilities to the eastern section of the site. The precinct design has focused on each of the retention of existing trees on the site, the orientation of the residential lots so as to achieve a high level of design sustainability, and the substantial upgrading of existing community facilities to the eastern side of the Civic Drive site.

The present study and report deal with the last of these issues, the substantial upgrading of existing community facilities to the eastern side of the Civic Drive site, that being the area of land between the Nillumbik Shire Council Civic Centre and Diamond Valley Library in the west and the indoor Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre in the east. The area is shown in Figure 1 and described in detail in the following Chapter.

Figure 1: The eastern side of the Civic Drive site, subject of the present master plan study.

Note: While separate master planning studies are to be prepared for the library and the sports stadium in coming years, several recommendations for consideration by those studies are made in this report

As originally conceived, the community facilities proposed in the 2011 Concept Development Plan included a walking/fitness trail, playground, toilets, barbeque facilities, half basketball court, weather shelter and substantial landscaping works. These recommendations were


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developed through consultations with and the recommendations of the Civic Centre Community Reference Group, a group established by Council to both provide advice as to how planning might minimise the impacts of the new residential development and optimise the benefits offered by the retained parklands.

In review, Council officers found that while the parkland redevelopment recommendations of the 2011 Plan provided some high level direction as to what may be included in the scope of works for the parklands, there was insufficient detail or analysis of functionality provided to allow Council to proceed with confidence in implementing the redevelopment proposals. With this in mind, Council further distilled the community facility aspects of the Plan in early 2014 before commissioning the present study to further develop the design concepts which had been prepared into a detailed site master plan.

1.2 Detailed Project Scope In keeping with the above, the present report and its recommendations present the findings of and recommendations arising from 11 stages of research and planning. These were:

1. An assessment of the site characteristics, constraints and opportunities associated with the eastern section of the Civic Drive precinct

2. A detailed program of consultations with Council officers whose professional roles and responsibilities were likely to have implications for the future redevelopment of the parklands in the Civic Drive precinct

3. Consultations with Civic Drive precinct user groups/organisations and other associated professionals including Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre users, Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre management, and local schools

4. A series of consultations with local residents

5. A review and evaluation of the implications to the Civic Drive parklands of current Council policies relating to sport and recreation, the arts, environment, and disability

6. An assessment of the demographic characteristics of the Shire community living within easy reach of the Civic Drive parklands and of the implications of these to development needs and opportunities

8. A review and assessment of the open space and recreation opportunities provided by other reserves within 2.5 km. of the Civic Drive parklands and the implications development opportunities at Civic Drive

9. A review of open space provision trends and of recent development case studies that might provide guidance to development strategies at Civic Drive

10. Preparation of a set of design principles to guide the master planning strategies used for the Civic Drive parklands, and

11. A design brief for the Civic Drive parklands master plans, optional design “models” and a final recommended design, together with capital costings, indicative operational costs and a set of recommended priorities for action.

The findings and recommendations are presented in the following chapters of this report.


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2

Civic Drive Reserve: Assets & Opportunities

2.1 Introduction This Chapter commences with a review of the current open space and recreation assets of the Civic Drive precinct. This is followed by a number of case studies of “exemplar” and benchmark open space reserves that have been developed elsewhere in Melbourne and Australia which illustrate development models and opportunities for the Civic Drive precinct. Finally, the Chapter provides a review of other open space resources within 2 to 3 kilometres of the Civic Drive precinct, the opportunities they provide and some possible implications to the development of the Civic Drive site.

2.2 The Assets

The Civic Drive precinct is located within Public Use Zone 6 (PUZ6) under the Nillumbik Planning Scheme, and is not subject to the any planning scheme overlays. The purpose of the Public Use Zone is:

• To implement the State Planning Policy Framework and the Local Planning Policy Framework, including the Municipal Strategic Statement and local planning policies

• To recognise public land use for public utility and community services and facilities, and

• To provide for associated uses consistent with the intent of the public land reservation or purpose.

The purpose of the public land use as stated in the Planning Scheme is “Local Government”.

The precinct has a mix of existing open space and recreation resources. These are shown in Figure 2.1 and are:

1. Informal parkland. These areas dominate the overall site and three key areas can be identified. They are:

1a) Sloping, partially landscaped land to the north of the large central car park. This area includes the community building outlined below.

1b) Undeveloped grassed land between the large, central car park and the Greensborough Bypass

1c) Undeveloped informal grassed areas surrounding the indoor sports stadium

2. Outdoor Performance Centre. This is an ageing structure located within the informal parkland area 1a (outlined above) and serves as a base for outdoor events on the sloping land to the west. The building includes storage and meeting spaces. Council staff report that the building supports a regular booking for band rehearsals and two school Christmas carols events, these totaling no more than 30 hours usage per year.

The building is not inviting in its presentation, with no fenestration other than high windows on its eastern façade, and little provision for shade or other external amenity. Major renovation would be needed if the building was to support wider community use or a wider range of activities.

3. Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre. Situated at the lower, eastern end of the reserve, the stadium has five indoor sports courts; three squash courts; a cycle and fitness studio; large multi-purpose room; management and basketball association offices; childcare, and family, male and female change and toilet facilities. The venue supports very high levels of use but is ageing, in need of refurbishment and unable to meet demand.


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Not surprisingly given its 40 years plus age, the venue lacks the mix of support facilities typical of modern sport and leisure complexes including social areas, outdoor seating and shade, barbeque areas and member club rooms

4. Nillumbik Shire Council Civic Centre, which is located in the north-west of the reserve and houses Council’s major professional and staff services and Council chamber.

5. Diamond Valley Library in the Civic Drive reserve is one of two Shire libraries. The building is to undergo redevelopment master planning within the next 2 years. Substantive areas of the venue are underused due to changing patterns of library and book form preferences. That said, in addition to traditional library services, the building supports a number of learning and education programs and has a community garden to the rear. As with the stadium, the library offers significant opportunities for modernisation and refocusing as a community activities, arts and learning hub

6. Roadways. There is essentially one roadway within the reserve (Civic Circuit) but it is divided into two sections, these being (a) the lower section of Civic Circuit which gives direct access to the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre and adjacent parking and to the eastern end of the central car park and (b) the western section of Civic Circuit which provides access to a small, separate car serving the Council offices, to parking at the rear (south) of the Council offices, and to the large central car park serving both Council staff, library users and other parkland and Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre users. The circular, linked nature of the roads and the lack of pathways from the various car parks to key user facilities creates safety issues for park and indoor venue. These roads are fully sealed with kerb and channel and are in generally very good condition

7. Pathways. Footpaths along roadways and linked an overpass across the Greensborough Bypass, and

8. Rain garden. This is a recently-constructed storm water management facility which allows for water retention and recycling. Located on the south-eastern corner of the site, the facility was planned for construction prior to the present study being commissioned. Actions to ensure its operation will be built into the master plan presented in this report.

2.3 Site Assessment and Opportunities

As the purpose of the Master Plan project is primarily to determine and design the mix of community facilities to be provided in the undeveloped open space areas of the precinct, the site assessment has focused on the issues associated with these spaces in their current condition, and the opportunities they represent to be enhanced for community use. The assessment focuses on two key considerations:

• Access and circulation – how people move to and through the precinct

• Character and amenity – what people can see and do when they arrive at the precinct.

2.3.1 Access and Circulation: Issues An overview of key issues associated with access and circulation into and around the Precinct is summarised in Figure 2.2 and described below:

a) The eastern section of Civic Circuit, connecting Civic Drive with the main car park, creates a significant barrier between the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre and the northern community space. The provision of a positive connection between the Centre and each of the open space and the community building would generate use of both areas for eg: boot camp, tai chi and outdoor exercise and personal training groups. Centre management has reported that a number of groups have commented on the potential to use the open space and the building if improved access was available


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Figure 2.1: Civic Drive precinct, Greensborough: existing open space and recreation resources


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The eastern end of Civic Circuit creates a barrier between the sports centre and the parklands

b. The main car park creates a barrier between the northern and southern open spaces, meaning that these will inevitably be treated as individual spaces, rather than contributing to a single unit. While pedestrians are able to walk across the car park, they are dominated by vehicles unless pedestrian priority access ways are provided. Despite the large size of this car park, the consultations have found that it has insufficient capacity at times. This suggests that an improved distribution of car parking associated with activity generators (library, council offices, Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre) may be more efficient.

The main car park creates a barrier between the northern and southern sections of the parklands

c. The path system aligned with Civic Drive and Civic Circuit provides no connection to the northern community space. As this space that has the greatest potential for change and for siting new activities (refer 2.3.4 Character and Amenity: Opportunities) this lack of access is a significant use constraint. The lack of connection applies to both the western edge, near the Council Offices and car park, and the eastern edge, adjacent to the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre


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Existing pathways do not provide access to the northern community space

d. Existing planting to the perimeter of the northern community space enhances the visual character of the spaces but compounds the lack of connection between the community space and the footpaths by preventing even informal access into the space.

Perimeter plantings compound access to the northern community space

e. As well as the constraints to access posed by the Civic Circuit roadway and the planting to the perimeter of the northern community space, access to the space is constrained by the steep batter at the rear of the central performance building, in the south-east of the site.

The steep batter on the east side of the northern community space is a further barrier to access

f. As well as having no formal connection with adjoin footpaths, the northern community space has no circulation system of its own to promote activity within the space.


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There are no connecting or internal pathways associated with the northern community space

g. Similarly the southern community space has no formal pedestrian circulation system, other than the path connecting the Library and Council Offices to the Greensborough Bypass Path. This path runs past the community space but does not branch into it in order to activate it.

The southern community space has no formal pedestrian circulation system or links to the nearby district pathway

2.3.2 Access and Circulation: Opportunities

In addition to the key access issues summarized above, a review of access and circulation into and around the precinct reveals a number of opportunities to improve its function. These are summarized on Figure 2.3 and described below:

a. Civic Circuit has two points of connection with Civic Drive. There is thus an opportunity to separate the entries by closing the eastern section of the road (except for service and emergency vehicles), to create a pedestrian plaza / forecourt at the front of the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre. This would also improve the connection between the Centre and the northern community space

Closure of the eastern section of Civic Circuit to create a pedestrian forecourt at the


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sports stadium and to better link the stadium to the northern community space warrants consideration

b. The large unused area north of the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre could be used for car parking, overcoming the shortfall experienced during some events, and pro-viding a dedicated parking area for the Centre. This parking would be accessed from Civic Drive via the eastern section of Civic Circuit

Considerable additional parking could be provided north of the Sports and Fitness Centre


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Figure 2.2: Civic Drive precinct, Greensborough: access and barrier issues


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c. Consultations with stakeholders and the community indicate that the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre has the potential to play an important role as a cycle / car park hub for cycling and walking activities. Proximity to the Western Ring Road and the Plenty River Trail strengthen this attraction.

d. The central planting island within the main car park offers the opportunity to provide safe pedestrian access between the northern community space and the currently undeveloped southern space.

The planted island in the main car park offers the opportunity to develop safe pedestrian access between the northern and southern community spaces

e. The gradient around the northern space and its clearly presented edge holds the opportunity for a perimeter, circuit path. This could support activities such as jogging and cycling, and perhaps exercise stations. This path would be easily accessible from the existing roadside path along Civic Drive and Civic Circuit.

A perimeter path could be established around the northern community space to provide for walking, fitness activities as well as access to internal spaces

f. The southern community space offers the opportunity for a perimeter path connecting with both regional/district trails and the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre.

An internal perimeter path could be established around the southern community space while also providing district and regional links


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Figure 2.3: Civic Drive precinct, Greensborough: pathway and access development opportunities


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2.3.3 Character and Amenity: Issues Key character and amenity issues associated with the presentation of the precinct and what it offers to visitors are summarized on Figure 2.4 and described below:

a. The northern community space is spatially undifferentiated (i.e. it presents as a large single space) and apart from its use in association with the community building for carols by candlelight at Christmas, does not support and definable community activity or use.

The northern community space is undifferentiated and apart from carols by candlelight, does not support any definable community activity or use

b. The existing planting around the northern community space, while providing a strong background to the space, does not define sub-spaces for particular activities. The low-to-medium height shrub planting around the space creates a visual and spatial barrier to access into the space.

Planting around the northern community space provides a strong background to the space but does not define sub-spaces for particular activities

c. The Outdoor Performance Centre is largely unused from day to day and does not contribute to the amenity of the northern community space or regular activities within it. While visually prominent, stakeholder consultation indicates that substantial community use of this building occurs on days of the year. Internal spaces are used for band practice and other meetings totaling no more than 30 hours a year. Architecturally, the building does not present an interactive façade, or provide amenity in terms of wind shelter or shade.


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Figure 2.4: Civic Drive precinct, Greensborough: character and amenity issues


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The Outdoor Performance Centre is largely unused from day to day and does not contribute to the amenity of the northern community space or regular activities

d. Grass cover is poorly established beneath the trees located around the perimeter of the space, particularly along the edge of the central car park, presenting poor visual character and amenity

Grass cover is poorly established beneath the trees located around the perimeter of the northern community space

e. The steep batter to the east of the under-used Outdoor Performance Centre creates a barrier to access between the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre and the building and presents poorly and appears to lead to the rear of the building, further discouraging connection and activity

The steep batter to the east of the under-used community building creates a barrier to access between the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre and the Outdoor Performance Centre


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f. The southern community space is spatially undefined and does not support any targeted activities

The southern community space is spatially undefined

g. The entry to the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre has poor amenity, with minimal pavements and poorly established grass cover. These factors discourage use of the space.

The Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre entry has poor amenity

2.3.4 Character and Amenity: Opportunities

In addition to the key issues summarised above, review of the existing character of the landscape of the precinct reveals a number of opportunities for enhancement. These are summarised on Figure 2.5 and described below:

a. The existing northern community space is currently spatially undifferentiated and lacking in activity. Yet it provides a large open space suited to community events. There is an opportunity to retain this open lawn area for such events while enhancing the space to also cater for a wider range of activities


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The northern community space provides a setting suitable for large community events

b. The landform to the perimeter of the community space is undulating, while remaining broadly focused on the centre of the space. This undulating character provides an opportunity to create a range of subtly differentiated spaces as a focus for eg: playgrounds, picnics, barbecues and community shelters

The undulating character of the northern community space provides an opportunity to create a range of subtly differentiated spaces

c. Modification of the planting to the perimeter of the northern community space – retaining the trees, but removing some of the lower level shrub planting – would provide the opportunity to link the existing Civic Drive and Civic Circuit footpath with the space, and connect the perimeter footpath with a potential perimeter path (refer Section 2.2.2 above)

Modification to the perimeter planting would allow better visual and path linkage of the space

d. The Outdoor Performance Centre does not support wide use, yet it’s location in the parklands is suited to community activities. There is an opportunity to modify or replace the building to suit a wider range of community activities, while also allowing current uses. Alternately, the building platform could


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provide a base for an external space for exercise or sports use, such as hard courts for basketball/netball or futsal and for “bumped-in” facilities for events.

An upgraded or replaced Outdoor Performance Centre could support a wider mix of uses


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Figure 2.5: Civic Drive precinct, Greensborough: character and amenity opportunities


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Modification of the Outdoor Performance Centre or its replacement with an external activities base could also allow modification of the eastern batter to provide improved access and visual character.

e. The southern community space, while large and undefined visually, provides

opportunities for additional planting to soften the space and to improve its character in a simple an effective way. The provision of an informal canopy of perimeter trees, in a similar manner to the northern community space, would provide a ready visual connection between the two spaces.

2.4 Other Wider Regional Open Space Opportunities

As a further guide to what might be appropriate to provide in the Civic Drive parkland, an assessment has been made of the mix, strengths and weaknesses of other open space resources and reserves within several kilometres of the site. The objective of the assessment was to determine:

a. The number of venues and the amount of nearby open space

b. The mix of opportunities offered by the existing supply and gaps in that mix

c. The quality of the supply, and

d. Gaps in provision that might be responded to by initiatives at the Civic Drive venue.

The sites that have been identified are summarised and reviewed in Table 2.1.

Overall, the assessment indicates that:

• There are a relatively small number of different open space venues within easy reach of residents living in the Civic Drive catchment

• Despite the small number of venues, the total area of parkland is high, largely due to several big sports reserves and in particular, Plenty Gorge Park

• The mix of opportunities offered is quite narrow with provision dominated by the informal bushland of Plenty Gorge Park, outdoor sporting fields and courts and local/district trails

• The play facilities that exist are very local in nature and are generally poorly serviced in terms of seating, shade and pathways

• Although more than half the open space reserves in the district have trails through them or are linked to trails, all but one or two of these go past the Civic Drive district rather than through it and none lead to local recreation, residential and community opportunities such as shops, schools etc. Within the Civic Drive area, there are only two trails that link to the reserve, these being from Diamond Hills Reserve and via a bridge from parkland in Banyule that links to Partingtons Flat Reserve

• There is an almost total lack of signage to venues and trails. Most venues are not named and as noted above, roads/pathways that lead to them are not indicated


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Venue, Council, Description and Location

Assessment

1. Diamond Hills Reserve, sporting &

informal reserve with trail to Civic Drive, Melways 11, B9, Nillumbik

Local sports oval with very small kiosk/change facility, sealed parking for approx. 40 cars. Playground. Pathway & parkland leads south over hilly land to Civic Drive via rear of institutional buildings. Public toilets.

Oval appears in good condition but is not serviced to meet larger than local needs. The playground is small, has limited facilities and has no shade, seats or path links. This would not attract anything but very local use or casual use associated with oval use

The pathway is not signposted & lacks lighting & shade plantings. There is poor access from residential areas except from north or local courts which have unsigned path links. Much of the pathway is hidden & links to it are unmarked. Considered unsafe for community use.

2. Maroondah Aqueduct Pipe Track.

Reserved land above regional water main. Melways 11, K10, Nillumbik

This undeveloped reserve land is not signposted or serviced for community use. It has potential for regional trail use but can only support informal use at present

3. Plenty River Drive open space corridor, Melways 11, B7-8, Nillumbik, Whittlesea

Small, sloping linear park with few lawns & two very small play facilities. Pathway link from Plenty River trail via Warrool Court to Greensborough By-pass trail and then south to Partingtons Flat Reserve. Parkland would attract limited use but trail links would

4. Plenty River Trail; sub-district open

space corridor on east side of Plenty River linking Plenty Gorge Park, Punkerri Circuit and Partingtons Flat Reserve Melways 10, J9, Nillumbik

Attractive bushland trail along narrow eastern reserve of Plenty River allowing semi-regional walking and cycling and providing access to sporting fields at Partingtons Flat and further south

5. Plenty Gorge Park. Extensive

regional natural bushland park managed by Parks Victoria Melways 10, D-K 1-9, Whittlesea, Nillumbik

Attractive bushland setting but with few facilities or pathways developed for residents on the eastern side of the reserve. As such, access and use by Nillumbik residents is substantially constrained

6. Tindal/Gambia Court park Very

small informal local park at rear of Apollo Parkways Shopping Centre. Melways 11, A 9, Nillumbik

This very small reserve is only accessed via two court heads and Apollo Parkways Shopping Centre. It offers limited use potential beyond immediate residences. There is no signage to the reserve

7. Sugar Gum Boulevard/ McLaughlans Lane Reserve Local

play, casual use park with pathway, seats and modern climbing feature. Melways 11, C 7, Nillumbik

Small, sloping park with lawns, attractive modern small playground. Adjoins pipeline easement. The limited size, mix of opportunities, hilly terrain and winding roads make it unlikely that residents from the Civic Drive precinct would use this reserve

8. Plenty War Memorial Park.

Attractive regional sports complex with high quality oval, tennis, netball, hockey, soccer and CFA facilities. Each component has associated clubrooms and parking. Melways 11, D 5, Nillumbik

This reserve offers high quality sporting facilities for a range of outdoor sports. A number of these could be expected to be used by Civic Drive precinct residents. However, the reserve offers little or nothing else to the wider community. There are no pathways or internal signs. A large, treed area could be used for casual walking/ cycling activities if facilities were provided. However, these would be unlikely to attract residents from the Civic Drive area as there are existing trails closer to them

9. Anthony Beale Reserve. Large,

attractive reserve with two sporting ovals, one with major club facilities, attractive playground and historic church and churchyard

Melways 11, E 10, Banyule

The reserve lacks safe pathway access except for residents to the immediate south. Residents of the Civic Drive precinct would need to drive as the reserve is east of the Greens-borough Bypass and Diamond Creek Road. The Maroondah Aqueduct pipeline reserve runs though the southern section of the reserve and provides the opportunity for the proposed longer term cycle and walking path link to the Greens-borough Bypass and Civic Drive

10. Partingtons Flat/ Greensborough Park, Large, attractive, multi-user

reserve with sporting facilities, informal lawn areas and trails. Melways 10, J12, Banyule.

This reserve is south of the Greensborough Bypass and can be reached by Civic Drive residents via the Plenty River trail (see 4. above), the Warrool Court linear trail (see 3. above) or via Plenty River Drive. The reserve offers an attractive mix of generally good quality sub-regional sporting and park-land opportunities with play, barbeque and trail facilities set around and along the Plenty River

Table 2.1: Other open space sites in the Civic Drive district


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• Terrain is certain to have an impact on access and use. Steep streets and paths must make it very difficult for many age groups to easily reach the open space reserves

• Road layout and access barriers work against good access to parks. The layout of suburban streets is circuitous and complex making easy line-of-sight access to reserves impossible while the presence of regional roads, unmade road reserves and pipeline easements create further access barriers, and

• The odd positioning of municipal boundaries in the district around the Civic Drive precinct appears to create further barriers to access and use. The Civic Drive precinct is part of a long, thin “toe” of Nillumbik Shire stretching south-west from the “core” of the Shire and partially surrounded by each of Whittlesea and Banyule Councils. It would seem that all three Councils tend to neglect the area as it is not “central” to their areas of responsibility. The perception that a number of the venues do not belong to the local Council almost certainly exacerbates this effect.

In terms of provision adequacy and gaps, the analysis of the district surrounding the Civic Drive precinct indicates the following:

• There is generally quite good provision of sporting grounds and facilities, although only the sports ground at Diamond Hills Reserve is close to the Civic Drive precinct. Even if there was a deficiency, there is little room for provision at the Civic Drive site, the only area being that to the south of the central car park. Use of this area for sports facilities would be inappropriate as it would require cut and fill, only one playing field could be provided (when modern planning provides 2-3 to allow the optimum use of infrastructure and ensure strong, multi-grade user clubs can be developed), and new services infrastructure would be needed. (Note also that the consultations finding reported in a later chapter have not identified any need for additional playing fields)

• There is a considerable level of trails provision although those in the Civic Drive precinct tend to lead away from the reserve rather than into it. The trails are not signposted as to either their position or destination

• There is a general lack of informal social areas that are developed in a way that are conducive to use by children, families or older residents

• There are no venues with seating and shelter

• The play facilities that exist are only local in nature and are generally poorly serviced. There are no sub-district or wider catchment play facilities, and

• All reserves are generally well-maintained but none offers a use experience that is unique to the area or to the Shire. They would thus only serve very local residents.

Overall, these findings suggest that consideration should be given to provision of the following on the Civic Drive parkland:

1. A sub-municipal playground which exploits the existing parking and which is serviced through toilet, cafe, first aid and similar facilities at the indoor Sports and Fitness Centre

2. A system of internal trails as well as strong, signposted links to nearby residential areas and other community services (shops, schools etc.), to existing trails and any future sub-regional/inter-municipal and regional trails

3. Quality parkland and picnic / informal activity settings for small to large group social, family and children’s activities, and

4. Development of a “unique” setting, different to all other parks within several kilometres of the precinct.

2.5 Overview

This Chapter has provided an overview and assessment of the assets of the Civic Drive parklands.

In general, the assessment has found that while the Civic Drive parklands have a number of valuable attributes (e.g.: the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre the library, large open space areas), it also has major shortfalls. These shortfalls include:


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• The central positioning of the main car park which divides it into a number of discrete sections

• The configuration of Civic Circuit, which serves to divide the park into two segments and to generate safety and traffic management problems

• The “division” of the parkland into 4-5 disparate and unconnected sections as a result of the car park positioning and the Civic Circuit road, each section having different land uses

• The generally low standards of maintenance

• A lack of flat areas in the park that can be programmed for community activities, sports centre use, school programs and similar activities

• A lack of internal pathways, inadequate pathway links to surrounding residential areas and community facilities, the fact that existing pathways either pass by the reserve –or do not direct people to it -- and the fact that there is a total lack of path signage

• The poor positioning of the library –which reduces community awareness of it- and the poor presentation of the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre

• The poor condition and outdated nature of the Outdoor Performance Centre

• The lack of a strong physical connection between the library, the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre and the parkland

• Perimeter planting which tends to limit and discourage awareness and access into the precinct, rather than facilitating and supporting activity, and

• A lack of park amenity provided by user facilities such as seats, shelters, barbecues, drinking fountains, play spaces etc.

Despite these shortcomings, the reserve has the potential to be redeveloped so as to offer a high quality and attractive resource to the community. A range of opportunities related to access / circulation and character / amenity have been outlined in section 2.3 above. Further to the above, the assessment of other existing open space resources within several kilo-metres of the Civic Drive parklands has suggested that:

• There is no need for or no benefit to be gained from provision of sporting fields or very local play facilities. However, a sub-municipal offering which provided higher level facilities and facilities for people with disabilities would be advantageous provided that what is provided is effectively serviced with pathways, seating, shade, toilets, dedicated parking and other amenities

• Internal circuit and sub-district trail development would be appropriate, provided that al such trails are signposted, links to local residential areas, schools shops and other community activity centres, are signposted and link to wider district and regional trails, and

• Play facilities would be advantageous, provided that these are of a district or sub-municipal scale and are better than and different from other smaller playgrounds in the area.

The review of open space provision in the wider areas surrounding the Civic Drive precinct found that there are nearly a dozen open space reserves within a radius of several kilometres from Civic Drive and that the total area of open space available is considerable. However, it also found that the existing resources are comparatively narrow in what they offer and that apart from Plenty Gorge (which itself has access and services shortcomings on its eastern side) and apart from several multi-facility outdoor sports reserves, most of the open spaces offer little that would attract Civic Drive precinct residents, would be difficult to get to and are poorly signposted, if signposted at all.

The analysis of other district venues suggested that the Civic Drive parklands could be a focus for the provision of:

• A sub-municipal playground

• Internal trails with signposted links to nearby residential areas and other community services, existing trails and to future sub-regional/inter-municipal regional trails

• Quality parkland, picnic and informal activity settings for small to large group social, family and children’s activities, and


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• Some form of “unique” setting, which would make the park different to all other parks within several kilometres of the precinct, and perhaps, across the wider Shire. This could possibly include a “gateway” to the Shire, as proposed by a local resident, unique deciduous shade tree plantings, or an event focus such as an area for a farmers market or night food markets.

Chapter 6 of this report provides a framework and recommended master plan design for the future development of the park which will optimise it’s strengths and overcome many of the shortcomings that have been identified. It will also seek to address the shortcomings that have been identified in the mix of open spaces resources presently available in the wider area surrounding the Civic Drive precinct of the Shire.


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3

Council Report Reviews & Implications

3.1 Review Scope

This Chapter provides a review of current Nillumbik Shire Council policy and planning documents which provide guidance to the future redevelopment of the Civic Drive parklands. Each review provides a summary of the key issues covered before listing one or more possible implications to the park.

The reports covered are:

Nillumbik Shire Council, 2005: Open Space Strategy

Nillumbik Shire Council, 2011: Recreation Strategy 2011-2019. Volume 1

Municipal Early Years Plan. Our children, our community, 2009-2013

Shire of Nillumbik Health and Wellbeing Plan 2013-2017

Nillumbik Shire Council, 2014 Cultural Plan Growing our Arts and Culture 2011-2017 (2

nd ed., Nov. 2014)

3.1.1 Nillumbik Shire Council, 2005: Open Space Strategy The Open Space Strategy provides a comprehensive analysis of the types, level of supply, and distribution of open space across the Shire. Further, the report makes recommendations for the upgrading of a wide range of individual venues and for the acquisition of additional open space.

The recommendations of the Open Space Strategy were based on an assessment of:

• Population characteristics of the Shire

• Community needs and aspirations

• Conservation values

• Cultural heritage

• Open space resources across the Shire, and

• The features of, and opportunities offered by, rural and urban open spaces.

The recommendations of the report addressed:

• Funding for open space

• Open space and subdivision

• Open space and adjacent land uses

• Actions needed at existing open spaces

• Open space acquisition needs, and

• Management of open space by Council.

In setting the strategic directions for open space in the Shire, the 2005 Open Space Strategy provided a vision and a set of guiding principles. These are:

Vision:

Nillumbik will provide a diversity of open space with a range of high quality regional, district and neighbourhood parks linked by a network of trails

Nillumbik’s open space network will be easily accessible and will provide residents and visitors with a range of passive and active recreation opportunities

Nillumbik will ensure its open space is developed and managed on a sustainable basis to meet the needs of the community and protect environmental values for present and future generations.


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Principles:

Diversity

Quality

Access

Sustainability

Partnerships.

The Open Space Strategy classified Civic Drive Reserve as a "Local" open space [pp. 12-13 and Map 18A], as opposed to the more local "Neighbourhood" or the higher order "District" or "Regional" open space types. The "Local" classification is somewhat different to what discussions with Council officers have suggested, given the location and considerable size of the reserve, its current uses and its proximity to the Civic Centre, the Diamond Valley Library and the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre. These discussions suggest that it may be more appropriate to consider it as being of "Local" and "District" in its role, as the nearest "District" open space is approximately two kilometres to the north-east. The nearest "Regional" open space is Plenty Gorge Park which is approximately 0.75 km. to the north-west of Civic Drive Reserve.

The only specific recommendation made for Civic Drive Reserve in the Open Space Strategy was Recommendation 14 (p. 2). This stated

"Prepare concept plans and development frameworks for new recreation nodes at the Nillumbik Shire Offices precinct".

"Nodes" were defined in the report (p. 31) as "...popular destinations with special features, trail links and/or facilities...which attract large numbers of visitors and which are often destination points. These nodes provide the opportunity for enjoying unique landscapes, features and recreation facilities and are the focal points of the open space network". This definition implies provision of special outdoor features which the Outdoor Performance Centre presently offers. The library and Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre are also special nodes and could have stronger links developed to them.

Interestingly, no linkages are shown to the reserve in the Open Space Strategy and opportunities for these should be assessed.

Some Possible Implications:

It is acknowledged that the Open Space Strategy policy statements do not all need to be applied specifically to Civic Drive Reserve. However, they suggest that in its redesign, consideration needs to be given to:

• Ensuring that a broader-than-present diversity of recreation and community activity opportunities is accommodated

• Provision of both passive and active opportunities

• Ensuring provision of good trails and other linkages to the community and to other community assets

• Protection of any natural assets in the reserve

• Provision of assets that are sustainable, both financially and environmentally, and

• Development in association with other agencies and the community.

The specific actions for Civic Drive Reserve recommended in the Open Space Strategy are that it is treated as a “local” open space and that activity nodes are developed there. The latter proposal is endorsed. However, given its size, location and proximity to other key community assets, it is considered that its hierarchical rank should be upgraded to “district”.

3.1.2 Nillumbik Shire Council, 2011: Recreation Strategy 2011-2019. Volume 1

The Nillumbik Recreation Strategy 2011-2019 provides “a summary of the key recreation issues and recommendations for implementation over the next 8 years” under a series of headings including major leisure facilities, trails, open space/sport, skate/BMX and a group of management and administrative issues (p. 9).


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The report was prepared following a research program covering needs analyses, consultations, key issues identification and development issues and opportunities.

The report defines a number of “themes” which “will drive the future strategy for recreation provision”, with these being:

• Residents have high recreation participation rates when compared with other communities. Walking, cycling, swimming, tennis and golf were found to be particularly high when compared with State and national data

• Action to support increased participation should be supported

• Priority should be given to unstructured activities

• Management, occupancy arrangements and programming should be used to increase access

• Services and programs should be changed to assist the time poor

• Equity should be sought in terms of fees and charges

In addition to the above, the Nillumbik Recreation Strategy 2011-2019 has identified several key targets for action over the 8 year life of the plan. They are:

• Retention of high rates of participation

• Increase junior and female participation in sport and recreation by 10 percent

• Ensure facility maintenance standards and that facilities are fit for use

• Increase communication with sport and recreation groups

• Improve sustainability including reduced water and energy use, and

• Increase funding support for the development of unstructured activities.

Other key findings reported in the Nillumbik Recreation Strategy 2011-2019 included:

• Council supports a diverse range of recreation and sporting opportunities including 115 clubs pursuing 35 different sports using 32 active sports grounds, 35 community and sports pavilions, 6 major leisure facilities, 60 playgrounds, 16 halls, 25 km. of shared trails and 7,375 ha. of parks and reserves

• Council spends $10 m. annually, or 16 percent of its total budget, in delivering leisure services. This was the equivalent of $36 per head of the community

• There is a major bias in outdoor sports and golf provision toward junior and senior male members of the community vs females with the ratio being 90.9 to 9.1 percent

• A similar male/female bias was found regarding indoor sports through the ratio was lower

• The provision of indoor health and fitness, synthetic hockey, upgraded tennis and recreation trails has been undertaken to contribute to redressing the gender inequities, and

• Funding levels will need to be retained into the future and most probably increased in order to address changing leisure trends, higher standard facilities and further upgrading and development of trails.

In terms of specific strategic initiatives pertinent to the present study, the Nillumbik Recreation Strategy 2011-2019 recommended the following:

• Prepare a master plan for the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre (in the medium term: 4-6 years)

• Review fees and charges for community facilities to ensure uniformity and equity of access

• Review the Recreation Trails Strategy 2001 to identify priorities for the development/redevelopment of trails

• Future planning for unstructured open space should provide opportunities for people to participate in unstructured activities, with opportunities to include informal social picnic areas, informal games areas, courts/walls/spaces for ‘pick up games’ such as basketball, bocce, chess

• Develop a master plan for the Civic Drive Precinct


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• Review lighting infrastructure

• Develop an implementation plan for priority locations and equipment for playgrounds

• Review off-leash dog areas

• Assess future skate park location options

• Identify opportunities to retain and increase participation in leisure and physical activity for women, young people aged 15-18 years, people with disabilities, older adults

• Investigate opportunities to deliver programs aimed at keeping older residents physically and mentally active


The following possible implications for action can be drawn from the Nillumbik Recreation Strategy 2011-2019:

• Ensure revised provision can support higher use levels and activities that are sufficiently attractive to invite use

• Make unstructured activities a key focus

• Apply higher levels of management and programming in order to attract targeted uses and users i.e.: created managed use times and activities

• Ensure a diversified timing of opportunities in order to assist the time poor in accessing the venue

• Minimise charges or some charges so as to optimise accessibility

• Make use opportunities relevant to all ages but especially for young people, girls/women, people with disabilities, and older adults

• Investigate opportunities to deliver programs aimed at keeping older residents physically and mentally active

• Provide trails

• Provide high standard facilities and programs

• Assess playground provision opportunities

• Review the infrastructure for and provision of lighting in the reserve

• Provide opportunities for people to participate in unstructured activities, with opportunities to include informal social picnic areas, informal games areas, courts/walls/spaces for ‘pick up games’ such as basketball, bocce, chess

• Review off-leash dog area opportunities

• Assess skate park options

• Actively promote the programs and activities delivered at the reserve, and

• Ensure that what is provided is sustainable from a financial and environmental perspective.

3.1.3 Municipal Early Years Plan. Our children, our community, 2009-2013

The report, Municipal Early Years Plan. Our children, our community, 2009-2013, sets out a program for “improving the health and wellbeing of young children and their families” (p. 3) in the Shire and covers children from birth to 8 years of age and their families.

The Plan was developed through a program of research which covered the demographics of the community; consultations with parents and a range of internal and external stakeholders; a review of local government, state, national and international research, and a review and assessment of the facilities and services provided for children by Council. In 2011, there were 7,586 children aged 0 to 8 years in the Shire,

The vision and principles for the Plan are derived from the Shire’s Council Plan 2009-2013. The vision states:

“Our vision for children and families in Nillumbik is to support environments where:

• Children are nurtured, healthy, safe and able to achieve their full potential


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• Families are valued in their nurturing role and capable of ensuring the safety and wellbeing of their children

• Communities, businesses, facilities and services are safe, healthy, inclusive and supportive of children and families.

The principles underpinning the vision are:

1. Children have a right to opportunities

2. Parents and families have the primary role, and

3. The community is actively engaged in decisions.

Five strategic directions for action are spelt out in Municipal Early Years Plan. Our children, our community, 2009-2013, these being:

1. An inclusive and integrated early year’s service system

2. Coordinated and comprehensive communications systems

3. Local evidence-based frameworks for early year’s service planning, development and delivery

4. A strong partnership approach to early year’s service planning, development and delivery, and

5. Healthy and safe communities for children and families.

Strategies developed and presented in the Municipal Early Years Plan which may have potential relevance to the present study are:

1.3.2 Undertake a feasibility study to establish locations and models of service delivery in community hub settings

1.3.4 Examine opportunities for the development of community hubs and the extension of existing services

1.7.2 Review current and future demand for services, location, availability, capacity and accessibility of preferred locations

2.4.3 Develop a program of outreach events to engage parents both formally and informally

4.1.2 Promote and encourage township, neighbourhood and local area based initiatives

4.1.3 Promote and encourage programs and initiatives that involve partnerships and collaboration between local service providers

4.1.4 Work with local service providers to identify appropriate service models for the development of multi-purpose service locations, and

5.4.1 Develop new initiatives or build on existing programs with local service providers, schools, parents and businesses.


Although none of the strategies detailed in Municipal Early Years Plan. Our children, our community, 2009-2013 specifically referenced leisure and recreation actions, these can be used as the “tools” or medium for achieving a number of the desired outcomes. In the Civic Drive Precinct context, some of the possible implications are:

• Assess whether there are community hub opportunities in association with existing buildings such as the Diamond Valley Library, Outdoor Performance Centre, Civic Centre and Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre in the Civic Drive Precinct, and

• Assess opportunities for using the reserve and its assets for outreach programming for children and families.

3.1.4 Shire of Nillumbik Health and Wellbeing Plan 2013-2017

The Shire of Nillumbik Health and Wellbeing Plan 2013-2017 meets Council’s requirement under the Victorian Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 to develop a plan that will “seek to


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protect, improve and promote public health and wellbeing within the municipal district” (Act, section 24).

The Plan provides a review of the health and wellbeing and demographics of the Shire community, details the consultative and other resources used in its compilation, and the areas through with health and wellbeing in the community can be enhanced. These are defined as being water and water management, leisure and recreation, community engagement and participation, libraries and cultural venues and programs, public infrastructure, planning, housing transport and economic development, environmental management, and child, family, aged, maternal and youth services. It also reviews the array of partners the Council works with in addressing community health and wellbeing.

Of importance in the review of community health and wellbeing was the recognition of the impact of geographic and social isolation, the built environment, restricted walkability, trans-port and accessibility, and the long term impacts of the 2009 bushfires on community health.

The vision espoused in the Plan is:

“By 2017 the general population of Nillumbik will be more active, healthy and resilient” (p. 5)

The goal of the Plan is to “optimise Council’s role in planning, protection and promotion for people of all ages and abilities in Nillumbik” (p. 5) while the key strategies directions and objectives are:

• Health planning

• Health protection, and

• Health promotion.


The strategic actions of the Shire of Nillumbik Health and Wellbeing Plan 2013-2017 which are deemed to be of direct relevance to the design, development and programming of the Civic Drive Precinct are:

Health Planning:

• Plan for maximum participation in structured and unstructured recreation, leisure and physical activity

Health Promotion:

• Promote physical activity and leisure by prioritising programs for young people, women and older adults

• Encourage participation in physical activity across all ages and abilities, and

• Encourage community engagement, social participation and volunteering.

While each of these items goes beyond the focus of the current study, all highlight the fact that the development of physical resources only provides the means to undertake recreational, community building and social activities. Unless programming and servicing are also provided, the optimal outcomes –if any—will not be achieved.

3.1.5 Nillumbik Shire Council, Growing our Arts and Culture 2011-2017 (2nd ed., Nov. 2014)

This very recent document is an update of the original 2011 arts and cultural plan for the Shire. The earlier document focused on “mobilising people and celebrated the notion of participation in the arts for all” whereas the revised Plan sees the “next three years (as having a) focus more on place and activation of space through the arts”. As indicated in the introduction to the report, “the ultimate goal of Growing our Arts and Culture is for the active inclusion of culture in all of Council’s and indeed the community’s decision making”.

Growing Our Arts and Culture provides a detailed examination of the role of arts and culture in the community and presents a set of principles to guide cultural planning before developing a vision and mission statement for arts and culture in the Shire.


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The section of the plan titled “Developing cultural plan goals” (p. 11) lists a number of strategies to be used in developing and implementing the Plan. Point 2, “Creative Spaces and Places” (p. 12) noted that:

“...There are limited venues in Nillumbik for community cultural events, artist exhibitions, performances, and film screenings. There is a lot of enthusiasm for a purpose-built gallery space that showcases local work and exhibits the valuable and extensive NSC collection. There also is a particular need for small flexible spaces accompanied by technical support to present performing arts in all formats. Council is challenged to find ways to support both private and public initiatives so that fees to the public are accessible. The development of arts networks could provide an umbrella for touring activities for these venues”.

The report continued:

“There are currently two Council controlled purpose-built spaces for community and arts events - the Eltham Community and Reception Centre, and the Eltham Performing Arts Centre at Research. Accessible spaces that can be used by the community for workshops or meetings, for innovative and mainstream music, film, theatre, dance or circus performances require flexible staging and seating capacity. Venues with seating for 50 to 300 are the most useful and most used spaces for current art making. Larger specialized spaces are most likely out of the financial reach of community organisations and artists...” (p. 12)

and noted that:

“The linking and networking of community resources and creation of arts hubs was also voiced. Festivals and markets in Nillumbik make use of our green spaces and provide access to community culture for residents and visitors to the Shire. They are places for residents to connect. They are also an important contributor to tourism and the local economy. There is a broad range of festivals from music to literature to local celebrations in particular townships. The township-based festivals are uniquely positioned to promote the local character and place-based diversity of Nillumbik.” (p. 12)

A strong emphasis was placed in Growing Our Arts and Culture on the development of signature events in the performing and visual arts in the fourth and fifth years of the Plan with the opportunity for public art to include “ephemeral and digital installations” (p. 17).

Finally, the “Action Plan” of Growing Our Arts and Culture detailed the specific initiatives to be pursued in each of years 4-6 off the Plan. Those with potential implications for the redevelopment of the Civic Drive precinct open space are listed under the goals of the Plan below:

Goal 1: Connected Communities

• Develop opportunities for original music compositions and performances

• Explore potential for community owned local history speakers corner or walks

• Extend community access of literary arts through public arts programming

• Strengthen opportunities for children, youth, families and seniors to engage with the arts

• Explore development of community arts precincts in collaboration with traders and business

Goal 2: Creative Spaces and Places

• Explore potential for ephemeral public art program

• Explore potential for after-school arts programs

• Collaborate on feasibility for Nillumbik’s own gallery

Goal 3: Creative Economy

• Initiate cultural partnerships with local traders

• Investigate potential for shop-front galleries

Goal 4: Creative Communities

• Explore development of creative initiatives for new community centres

• Explore development of creative initiatives for town master plans

There were no evident links to the Civic Drive precinct through Goal 5, Communication and


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Leadership.


Many of the initiatives detailed in the Growing Our Arts and Culture Action Plan warrant consideration for action through the medium of the Civic Drive precinct parklands. It warrants noting however, that quite a few of the proposed initiatives are program-focused and thus, beyond the scope of the present study. That said, the ability to deliver programs requires facilities and services and as such, consideration is warranted regarding the facilities and services that might be appropriate. From the perspective of the Civic Drive parklands it would seem that the following warrant consideration:

• Redevelopment of elements the Outdoor Performance Centre, the existing library, parts of the Civic Centre (or a linked Civic Centre-library) or the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre to be used as a base for many of the initiatives listed above

• The development of initiatives in association with the owners and management of the Apollo Parkways Shopping Centre and / or the Apollo Parkways Primary School, diagonally opposite Civic Drive

• The creation of park settings capable of accommodating a range of the initiatives cited above even of these require the short term “bumping in” of support facilities such as a stage or security fencing.

Ultimately, decisions as to the appropriateness of the Civic Drive parkland will depend to a substantial degree on:

a. The size and capacity of the reserve, particularly in terms of its capacity to accommodate new activities that generate higher levels of demand for services and, in particular, for parking

b. The location of the reserve with regard to access, particularly if provision initiatives are to serve a wider-than-local service catchment

c. The cost of facilities development. The reserve already accommodates the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre and Diamond Valley Library, both of which will be subject to redevelopment master planning in the next few years. It would thus seem logical that arts and cultural provision initiatives be pursued through these assets rather than through construction of a third major building on the reserve as a replacement for the outdated Outdoor Performance Centre.

3. 2 Overview

Council’s various policy and planning documents provide sound guidance on a number of opportunities surrounding the redevelopment of the Civic Drive parklands.

The 2005 Open Space Strategy saw the Civic Drive precinct as an important new recreation node which could “provide the opportunity for enjoying unique landscapes, features and recreation facilities and are the focal points of the open space network" (p. 31). In light of the research and recommendations of the Open Space Strategy, the present report suggests that in its redesign, consideration needs to be given to the following at the Civic Drive reserve and that it is redeveloped at a “district” rather than “local” level:

• Ensuring that a broader-than-present diversity of recreation and community activity opportunities is achieved

• Provision of both passive and active opportunities

• Ensuring provision of good trails and other linkages to residential areas and to other community assets

• Protection of any natural assets in the reserve

• Provision of assets that are sustainable, both financially and environmentally, and

• Development in association with other agencies and the community.

The report, Nillumbik Recreation Strategy 2011-2019, recommended the preparation of a master plan for the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre (which is to be undertaken


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within the next two years), and development of a master plan for the overall reserve (being actioned by the present report). Other provision implications drawn from the Nillumbik Recreation Strategy of relevance to Civic Drive are action to provide trails; making unstructured activities a key focus; providing use opportunities relevant to all ages and especially for young people, girls/women, people with disabilities, and older adults; providing a significant playground; providing opportunities for people to participate in unstructured activities, with opportunities to include informal social picnic areas, informal games areas, courts/walls/spaces for ‘pick up games’ such as basketball, bocce, chess, and putting a strong emphasis on programming of the reserve.

The report, Municipal Early Years Plan. Our children, our community, 2009-2013, gave rise to the suggestions that it may be possible to develop community hub opportunities in association with the existing Civic Drive buildings such as the library, Outdoor Performance Centre, Civic Centre and Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre, and that it may be possible and appropriate to use the reserve and its assets for outreach programming for children and families.

The Shire of Nillumbik Health and Wellbeing Plan 2013-2017 plan raised the possibility of using the Civic Drive parklands for the delivery of structured and unstructured recreation, leisure and physical activities, and particularly for young people, women, older adults and people of all ages and abilities, and for encourage community engagement, social participation and volunteering

Finally, it is evident from the updated 2014 Growing Our Arts and Culture report that the redevelopment of the Civic Drive parklands and of the existing buildings on it could be used to create significant opportunities for the delivery of a range arts and cultural venues, events and programs.

These possible development and programming implications have been carried forward to the development of design brief for the Civic Drive parklands and the design concepts in Chapter 6 of this report.


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4

Community Demographics & Leisure Trends: Provision Implications

4.1 Scope and Approach

This Chapter reviews the characteristics of the population living in the areas surrounding the Civic Drive parklands and provides an assesses the possible provision implications of the community characteristics. It also provides a review of some recent trends in recreation open space provision and the implications of these to the future redevelopment of the venue.

4.2 The Demographics of Areas Surrounding the Civic Drive Parklands

4.2.1 The Area Reviewed The area surrounding the Civic Drive parklands falls largely into the suburb of Greens-borough, and thus 2011 census data for Greensborough has been used for the present analysis. The area covered is shown in Figure 4.1.

The use of the Greensborough data has some shortcomings as the suburb includes parts of both Nillumbik Shire and Banyule City Council and more importantly, reaches as far south as Warralong Avenue, on the border with Yallambie, some three kilometres south of Civic Drive. This is also well south of both the Greensborough Bypass Road and the Grimshaw Street/ central Greensborough shopping precinct, each of which is a major barrier to accessing the Civic Drive area. Further, these areas have an earlier pattern of settlement and thus may not as accurately reflect the demographic characteristics of the population living to the north of the Bypass Road and closer to the parklands. This northern segment only accounts for around 20 percent of the total Greensborough population.

Figure 4.1: The area covered by the state suburb of Greensborough

Consideration was given to including the suburb of St Helena –which lies immediately to the east of the Bypass Road and closer to Civic Drive-- in the analysis. However, at the 2011 census, St Helena only had as few as 2,800 residents while Anthony Beale Reserve is centrally placed within the suburb so unless something unique was provided at Civic Drive, it would be unlikely to attract much use from this suburb.


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Ultimately, the Greensborough data was settled on as being the most representative of the community currently served by Civic Drive and thus the data that would be most useful in identifying provision implications for the local community. That said, it should be noted that the conclusions drawn from the analysis can only be indicative at best and that if something unique to be considered for provision at Civic Drive, the demographic characteristics of the population of the whole of Nillumbik Shire and the northern half of Banyule might need to be reassessed. Further, the 2011 census data is now close to 4 years old and thus must be treated with caution.

4.2.2 Population Size, Children, Age, Income and Car Ownership

Table 4.1 following provides data on a number of key features of the Greensborough suburb community compared with the Nillumbik Shire and Victoria as a whole.

Demographic Characteristic Greensborough Nillumbik Victoria

Total Population 20,552 60,342 5,354,042

Average number of children/ family

1.8 2.0 1.9

Median weekly Income per household

$1,524 $1,872 1,216

Av number of cars 1.9 2.3 1.7

Number & % of population 0-14 years

3,878 / 18.8%

12,580 / 20.9%

998,793 / 18.6%

Number & % of population 20-54 years

10,000 / 48.8%

28,828 / 47.6%

2,637,080/ 49.5%

Number & % of population 65 years +

2,728 / 13.2%

5,747 / 9.5%

761,580 / 14.2%

Table 4.1: Some key demographic features of Greensborough, Nillumbik and Victoria

The data in Table 4.1 indicate that:

• The Greensborough population is quite large compared with Nillumbik Shire as a whole although it is noted that probably no more than 20% of the total lives in Nillumbik and the remainder are separated from the Civic Drive parklands by major physical barriers. There may also be “perception” and mental map barriers that would reduce awareness and use on the part of Banyule residents given that Civic Drive is in Nillumbik and on the way out from the metropolitan area

• Though sizeable in comparative terms, the 20,552 residents will not generate high Civic Drive use levels. To illustrate, Sports Commission recreation participation data show that the top five fitness and sporting activities pursued by Victorians in 2011-12 were walking for exercise, which was pursued by 24.3 percent of the population; fitness/gym activities (17.6%), cycling/BMX (8.8%); jogging/running (7.8%), and swimming/diving (7.7%).

This means that of the 20,552 Greensborough residents, only 4,994 would go walking, 3,617 would go to a fitness gym, 1,808 would cycle, 1,603 would jog or run, and 1,582 would swim. Given the earlier discussion of the distribution of the Greensborough population, it is quite possible that fewer than one quarter of these numbers would use Civic Drive land for these activities, especially as there are other competing opportunities available, with none, of course, going there to swim

The implication of these data is that care must be taken to not over-invest in the redevelopment of the Civic Drive parklands unless activities that attract users from beyond the local area are provided

• The number of children per household in Greensborough is lower than Nillumbik or Victoria as a whole although this could well reflect the older nature of the southern part of the suburb when compared with the younger, northern area closer to Civic Drive. That said, the variation between the three values is not sufficient to justify not providing play opportunities.

Given that the number and percent of children in the 0-14 years group in


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Greensborough is lower than that of Nillumbik as a whole, the implication of the data is that over-provision of play opportunities should again be avoided unless something of at least a sub-municipal standard is provided

• There is a strong proportion of family age residents in Greensborough. The figure is higher than Nillumbik as a whole and only slightly lower than the state figure

• The proportion of the Greensborough population aged 65 years and is 39 percent higher than for Nillumbik as a whole but below the state figure

The implication of the family and older resident numbers in Greensborough is that facilities and services at Civic Drive that support passive and non-competitive, active family, children’s, and older adult activities would be well supported

• The median household income in Greensborough is well below (12-15%) Nillumbik as a whole but is equally higher than for Victoria. Yet Nillumbik is known to have a very high social-economic ranking on the Bureau of Statistics SEIFA Index at a state level. As such, these data suggest that income should not be a barrier to the use of most recreation opportunities and especially those of a low cost nature that could be expected to be provided in the Civic Drive parklands.

4.2.3 Cultural and Household Characteristics in Greensborough

Table 4.2 provides a second set of data regarding the characteristics of the Greensborough, Nillumbik and Victorian populations.

Demographic Characteristic Greensborough % Nillumbik % Victoria %

Ancestry: Australian English Irish Italian Scottish NZ Chinese Indian

26.1 24.9

9.2 7.8 6.8 1.1 0.9 0.8

28.6 27.9

9.4 6.2 7.4 1.0 NA NA

23.3 23.5

7.6 4.8 6.4 1.5 1.8 2.1

Workforce: Professional Clerical/admin Managers Labourers

24.7 17.3 12.0

5.6

24.9 15.8 14.8

5.2

22.3 14.4 13.2

9.0

Family make-up: Couple without children Couple with children One parent

Family Single, lone person

33.8 50.6

(828) 14.3

78.8 (1,368) 18.9

28.9 58.7 11.6

84.9 13.7

36.7 46.0 15.5

71.2 24.5

Type of home: Separate house Semi-detached, townhouse, flat, unit, apartment

90.0

9.9

95.0

4.8

76.9 22.5

Home ownership: Own outright Purchasing Rental

38.6 43.0 16.4

38.4 50.0

9.7

36.2 35.5 24.6

Cars per household: None One Two Three +

4.2

29.4 43.5 21.3

2.2

34.7 37.0 16.8

8.6

35.8 36.1 16.5

Table 4.2: Cultural and family features of Greensborough, Nillumbik and Victoria residents


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The data in Table 4.2 indicate the following, and a range of implications for redevelopment initiatives at the Civic Drive parklands:

• There is likely to be a limited need for specialist provision for cultural minorities at the Civic Drive parklands as well over three-quarters of the Greensborough population are of a predominantly Anglo-Saxon background. That said, the alternate implication is that there is no reason why specialist non-Anglo-Saxon opportunities should not be provided to both meet the needs of and attract use by cultural minorities as well as providing a different form of recreation opportunity for Anglo-Saxon community members. As was suggested through the consultations program, cultural dance activities, culturally-focused food vans and other similar activities could enrich the opportunities available to the predominantly Anglo-Saxon community rather than simply reflect existing values

• The higher proportion of professional and clerical/administrative level employees in Greensborough versus, in particular, labourers suggests that there is a more informed community living within the catchment of the Civic Drive parklands. This suggests that the implication to provision is the need for quality provision which reflects a wider awareness and experience of community members in terms of what community open spaces can offer

• Couples and families dominate the Greensborough and Nillumbik communities with the implication being support for the earlier conclusion regarding the need to make provision for them. Significantly, however, there are high levels of both one parent households (14.3% or one in even 7 families)) and single person house-holds (one in every five). The implication of these data is that it would be beneficial to the Greensborough community if efforts were made to ensure that accessible programs and activities were made available to single parent and sole household members in the community

• The data on the type of home in Greensborough shows a predominance of separate homes and a rate well above the state level. Yet compared with Nillumbik, the level of semi-detached, townhouse, flat, unit and apartment homes in Greensborough is high, this reflecting both the more suburban nature of the suburb compared with the Shire as a whole, more recent development and some degree of infill redevelopment wherein smaller units are replacing larger, former homes.

Despite the higher rate of units and apartments, the Greensborough data suggest that most residents have the capacity to pursue a wide array of recreation activities in their own homes and that they will only be attracted to visit larger informal parks –such as the Civic Drive park-lands—if something innovative and different is offered that cannot be pursued at home. A more detailed review of the extent of higher density development around the Civic Drive parklands may be warranted before final development decisions are made or as part of a performance monitoring program following any redevelopment

• Home ownership is little different in Greensborough to Nillumbik as a whole with both being above state levels. Surprisingly, purchaser rates are below the Nillumbik average but above the state level while rental rates are high for Nillumbik but low when compared with Victoria as a whole. Overall, the implication of these data is that the vast majority of residents are committed to living in Greensborough and that as such, their needs (as identified through the present demographic review and through the community consultations) are likely to be an accurate reflection of the medium to long term aspirations of the residents of the area

• Car ownership amongst Greensborough residents paints a mixed picture. There are well above Shire levels but well below State levels of non-car ownership, and well below both Shire and State rates in terms of owning single cars. At the same time, Greensborough has above both Shire and State rates with regard to two, three or more cars.

The high non- and single-car ownership rates perhaps reflect the lower than municipal incomes and younger families in Greensborough while the higher multiple car rates reflect those older families which are able to afford more vehicles and need to own more to overcome local and district access barriers. No firmer conclusions can presently be drawn regarding the impact of car ownership on use of recreation opportunities in Nillumbik. However, anecdotal evidence


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collected through the consultations for the present study suggests that poor public transport services are a barrier to access and this will be important if the opportunities provided through any redevelopment are designed to serve a wider-than-local market. The key point to note is that those with no or fewer cars are almost universally the young, the old, single parents, lone householders or the less well off in a community. As such, action may be needed to offset these disadvantages if provision of a regional nature is made.

4.2.4 The Impact of Demographics: Overview

The review of some key features of the demographics of Greensborough in the foregoing paragraphs has identified a number of points that should be considered when making decisions regarding the future redevelopment of the Civic Drive parklands. These are:

• There is unlikely to be a very large demand for the use of the venue by members of the local community as that community is quite small and participation rates in the types of activities that could use the reserve are not high

• The venue could only justify a significant level of redevelopment if what is provided will attract large numbers of users. The validity of such action must be questioned however, given the location of the reserve vis-a-vis the distribution of the overall Nillumbik community, the barriers to access to the venue and the capacity of the venue to accommodate high use levels

• The age distribution of the surrounding community is such that what is provided in future should be able to cater for young people, family social activities and non-competitive active pursuits by older residents. That said, over-provision for any one group should be avoided unless Council wishes to make a positive “statement” on behalf of one group or another

• Opportunities for single parent families and lone person households should not be overlooked

• There may well be opportunities to offer facilities and activities which target non-Anglo-Saxon residents in the Shire although this again would reflect a proactive statement by Council rather than an urgent need

• The comparatively high occupational levels of the Nillumbik Shire community suggest a need for quality and individuality in what is provided so as to reflect the wider awareness and experience of community members

• The local and Shire car ownership data suggest that if opportunities designed to attract the wider Shire population are provided, consideration may need to be given to how less mobile residents access the venue, and

• If a decision is made to focus on meeting the needs of local residents, an effort should be made to offer opportunities that are not available in the predominant stand-alone homes of the surrounding community. Longer term monitoring of the needs of flat and apartment residents may be required to ensure that what is offered effectively meets the needs of these community members.

4.3 Recreation and Open Space Provision Trends

A number of trends in recreation and open space provision have been given consideration in planning the future redevelopment of the Civic Drive parklands. These include:

• Creating opportunities for interactive use so that visitors can manipulate the environment, or respond to it in different ways as they use it. This has been most successfully achieved with play facilities for children but can apply to other opportunities as well including outdoor social areas, trails and the like

• Ensuring that parkland is part of a system of opportunities rather than an isolated patch of land sitting beside a road. Thus, action must be taken to link the Civic Drive parklands to surrounding homes and other open space resources through the use of feature plantings, marked trails, signs, lighting and the like

• Making use flexibility. There is a growing trend to increasing use flexibility as the declining availability of land and the cost of developing it increases. Under these


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circumstances, the concept of outdoor “rooms” is increasingly common. Here, flexible, serviced spaces are provided which can be used in different ways, by different groups and for different purposes. Facilities, shapes, slopes and services that lock in a narrow range of uses only serve to lock out many users

Flexibility is also enhanced by the provision of lighting, good seating and shade trees and/or built structures and the provision of quality flat areas that can be used for children’s informal play, five-a-side sports, frisbee throwing and other informal uses

• Programming is increasingly being used to generate appropriate, socially responsible and safe community use of open spaces. A well-serviced open site is simply a means to a recreational and community development outcome. Increasing numbers of residents do not know how to or do not have the skills and resources to generate their own use programs, and as such Councils and others do it for them. Libraries, leisure and fitness centres, and swimming pools are just three examples of Council venues which employ professional, paid programmers. Doing the same in parks through fairs, festivals, boot camp programs, social walks, bird watching and walking/cycling clubs are just some of the ways in which these resources can be “animated” to the benefit of the community

• Providing quality facilities and services. All too often, Council open spaces have been poorly developed and even more poorly maintained. Fewer, high quality facilities which offer a diversity of potential uses is a far more effective (and efficient) use of resources. Such venues also have lighting, good quality pathways, all-access toilets and signage. One only has to look at the number of libraries, aquatic venues and halls a Council has compared with informal parks to recognise the difference in terms of quality over quantity. Significantly, many of these facilities are professionally staffed, rigorously monitored in terms of condition and user safety, and attract hundreds of thousands of visits annually

• Providing unique experiences. For many years, Councils have tended to duplicate open space provision at site after site. As well, they have tended to develop open space resources and then leave them unchanged for years. Both strategies tend to deter use and are a waste of resources and as a result, Councils are now moving away from this approach to one focused on creating unique experiences for visitors, with residents quoting a number of excellent examples in Nillumbik.

In conclusion, it is evident that a number of the trends in open space development warrant consideration at the Civic Drive parklands and these have been pursued in the master plans presented in later sections of this report as deemed appropriate.


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5

Needs and Aspirations

5.1 Scope and Purpose

Consultations were undertaken with relevant Council officers, community service organisations such as the local school and child care centre, sporting groups using Civic Drive reserve or facilities on it, and with the surrounding resident community. The objective of the consultations program was to identify professional, user and community aspirations and ideas for the future development of the Civic Drive parklands.

Two rounds of consultation were held with each of the groups, the first being to collect initial redevelopment and operational ideas and suggestions. The second consultation round was held followed the preparation of draft concept diagrams and designs for the reserve. The intent of this second round was to invite responses to the designs and suggestions for their improvement or revision.

The consultation findings are reported in the following sections. Where deemed appropriate, commentary in italics has been provided by the authors of this report where it was felt this would assist in evaluating the proposals.

5.2 First Round Consultations

5.2.1 Nillumbik Shire Council Officers The following issues were identified through personal interviews with relevant Council officers. They have been listed by topic and are not identified by the individual respondent. Some items which are similar have been recorded under different headings to ensure that they are not overlooked in relation to a particular topic.

Park features & use mix:

• Design for diversity

• Encourage casual, informal uses

• Provide for local and linked district and regional cycling/walking activities

• Make the park “different” to the usual Nillumbik park, and

• Make sure any redevelopment does not compete with Eltham Lower Park

Arts and culture:

• Develop as a unique attraction that will attract Shire-wide use

• Develop a cultural studio/hub, maybe through the redevelopment of the library (as in Eltham)

• Make provision for multi-cultural activities and programs such as markets, food stalls, and

• Share initiatives with the library eg: community garden.

Outdoor Performance Centre:

• An expanded Outdoor Performance Centre to support community events; shelter, rooms, retractable sail cloth shelters, band hall

• The Outdoor Performance Centre is under-used and would need extensive renovation to make it useful as its services and amenities are inadequate. The existing venue only attracts around 30 hours of use pa. and evidence suggests there is no likelihood of increased demand for use of either the existing facility or a similar modern facility. Other types of venues which more effectively meet the uses made of the Outdoor Performance Centre should be provided instead

• The areas around the Outdoor Performance Centre are in poor condition

• As an alternative to redeveloping the Outdoor Performance Centre, consideration


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should be given to providing community arts opportunities through the forthcoming library master planning study

• Outdoor music events etc are possible in the park due to its size, shape, and parking availability

• Encourage school programs and use

• There is a need for the integration of sports, fitness and arts opportunities and spaces in the park eg: expand the use of the Outdoor Performance Centre area for outdoor fitness programs

• Promote daytime use for music activities disturbs Council office workers and Council meetings, and

• Undertake a demand assessment re any Outdoor Performance Centre redevelopment proposals.

Trails:

• Ensure links to the evolving Aqueduct Trail, pipeline reserve and Plenty Gorge Park

• Use the Park as a start/finish node for trail rides and provide shared parking, toilets, water etc

• Improve pedestrian links from local residential areas

• Enhance safety and lighting along pathways

• Provide paths, trails for Council and school staff lunchtime walking/fitness activities (there are around 200 staff in the locality)

• Provide outdoor fitness equipment along pathways/trails in the reserve, and

• Put a strong emphasis on trails as they deliver healthy opportunities across virtually all ages.

Play:

• Ensure links to the play strategy which is commencing 2015

• Provide different play settings for local and wider regional use

• Provide creative play settings and “facilities”, not traditional equipment

• Provide district and/or local play opportunities, and

• A “regional” playground may not be appropriate at Civic Drive while the site may not have the parking capacity given the existing high level of need for day time Council and Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre parking.

Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre:

• A master planning study for the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre is to be prepared in 2016/17

• The Centre needs to be modernised

• The Centre already offers sports courts (4 full sized) and facilities for a number of other sports

• The venue is at capacity

• The Diamond Valley Basketball Association has commenced planning for the extensions it wants and has indicated a willingness to contribute financially

• There needs to be additional parking, and

• There is an opportunity to open up the front of the Centre to diversify it and make it more attractive.

Fitness activities:

• Use the outdoor area around the Outdoor Performance Centre as a fitness programs areas, and

• Provide for social sport activities eg: kickabout area.


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Shade trees, amenity plantings:

• Amenity plantings are needed to enhance the reserve appearance

• Plant exotic shade trees ahead of more native species which do not provide appropriate shade for play, picnic areas and drop branches

• Plant species that keep the park green in summer vs most Council reserves which dry out badly and are thus unattractive and generate little use

• Good shade trees give colour and attract use; facilities for play, seats, picnic areas and barbeques can then be provided later, and

• Consider avenues of shade trees which give a sense of entry and place.

Traffic and parking:

• Parking needs to be expanded to meet Council staff and Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre needs

• Parking areas could be used for park-and-ride cycle trail users

• Move the main central car park southward toward the Greensborough By-pass to open up the centre of the reserve as parkland

• Close the road in the park to through traffic or make it one way in-one way out, and

• The park is off the main services routes through the Shire and thus has poor accessibility for anyone without a car or for people who need to be driven eg: youth, aged, disabled. This suggests that the park should be “local” in its focus.

Park location:

• The park’s location in the south-eastern corner of the Shire suggests that it should only play a “local” role in providing recreation opportunities as it is remote from most residents

• Barriers to access to the park are created by Greensborough By-pass, Plenty Gorge Park, and Diamond Creek Road, and

• Poor public transport means that child/youth access is severely limited, especially as the reserve is off the north-south Diamond Creek-Eltham corridor or the Shire.

Disability:

• Ensure the park is accessible and attractive to people with disabilities

• Ensure disability groups are involved in the planning of the park, including users/ clients of St John of God based opposite the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre and Diamond Valley Special School and school parent group

• Provide facilities and experiences that attract people with disabilities either or both in the park and through the library eg: a community garden, planter boxes at an accessible height with vegetables, flowers etc to allow food sharing

• Take action to ensure there is good transport to the park for people with disabilities

• Ensure there are safe, accessible pathways through the park

• Provide good support facilities eg: change facilities, toilets, car parking, signs as well as good local access for those who do not need to drive

• Seek written feedback from disability groups and supporters on designs, and

• Use successful park development case studies as a guide to what can be done eg: Malahang Reserve, West Heidelberg.

Youth:

• The park is not well-located in terms of youth access due to poor community transport services to it; thus, there should not be major investments for youth. Further, there are good service hubs/ community centre facilities in Eltham and Diamond Creek

• A youth performance space (music, theatre group which presently uses Eltham


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College) could be developed in association with the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre to accommodate say 200 people, small stage and services. The Bendigo Bank Centre is far too big

• Internal and external rockclimbing walls at the stadium could attract wide use

• Young people need socially-focused places to hand out, and

• The park should have BMX bumps, shade, seating, lighting, be visually attractive etc if it is to be attractive to young people.

Other issues:

• There is inadequate safety lighting through the park and car park

• Excess development would be inappropriate and could create a white elephant given the park’s location away from the majority of the Shire population

• Extensive redevelopment of any of the stadium, play facilities or the Outdoor Performance Centre would generate significant parking problems as the reserve is already unable to accommodate peak demands

• Existing informal outdoor resources in the Shire should be upgraded ahead of developing a new attraction at this reserve (In a sense, this point is beyond the scope of study brief as it is Council’s responsibility, with officer advice, to determine priorities for action. That said, Recommendation 14 of Council’s 2005 Open Space Strategy (see review in section 3.1.1 of this report) stated "Prepare concept plans and development frameworks for new recreation nodes at the Nillumbik Shire Offices precinct").

• Do not develop outdoor sports fields as the reserve is not large enough to provide a viable area (2-3 playing fields is now widely accepted as the minimum number needed to effectively support the various levels of club competition) and support facilities would be needed. (These would have a high cost/use ratio if only one playing field was provided). Informal social sports would be appropriate

• Provide dog exercise areas

• Council should improve accessibility, liveability and seek low-cost solutions, and

• See the work of Jamie Lerner (Curitea) and Enrico Penalosa (Bogota) as a guide to design and development options.

Council Officers: Overview

Several quite different perspectives on the future development of the reserve emerge from the above material. Some of these overlap while others would be mutually exclusive:

1. Minimise development and focus on local needs and low key provision. Open the reserve up to make it more attractive and accessible, and provide play, picnic and local internal and linked walking/cycling opportunities for the local community and local workforce. Initiate a planting scheme of exotics, deciduous trees and more formal walkways etc to strengthen the casual use and shade qualities of the park and as a contrast to most other Shire reserves that are dominated by native plant species

2. Provide both internal trails as well as links to surrounding residential areas and to district and regional networks

3. Develop a cultural activities hub through redevelopment of either the Outdoor Performance Centre or the Diamond Valley Library

4. Develop the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre as a major regional indoor sports venue and community activities/social hub through the inclusion of indoor and outdoor social, community and casual use elements. Enhance the rest of the reserve as a venue for local through to regional walking and cycling pathways and links. Provide play, picnic and social activities for the local community and local workforce, and

5. Ensure that the needs of residents and service agency clients with a disability are effectively assessed and catered for in the planning and development of the reserve.


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It is almost certain that a number of the above elements could be combined. For instance, there is benefit to be gained from reducing the number of focal points –whether indoor or outdoor. In the indoors context, it would seem wasteful to have activities focused on each of the (1) Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre, (2) Outdoor Performance Centre and (3) library (and possibly, too, the Council offices) when two focus points, at opposite ends of the park delivering quite different opportunities and experiences, could well be more effective.

With regard to outdoor spaces, removing the Outdoor Performance Centre, the embankment to the stadium access road and the main car park (the latter being shifted southward toward the by-pass road), would create one larger open space with a greater capacity to create attractive visual sightlines, longer trails, and sub-nodes of activity (eg: for fitness programs, for picnics, for ball activities, for relaxing and reading). The current short term/Councillor car park on the west side of the Civic Circuit driveway could be added to this if that car park was moved to the top of the rise between the offices and Civic Drive, although this alternate site could have access and safety issues given its position opposite the school, the pedestrian cross and its position on the crest of Civic Drive.

The scale of any further development initiatives may need to be restricted to the capacity to accommodate car parking.

5.2.2 Service and Sporting Organisations

Interviews and telephone/email discussions were held with a range of organisations including user clubs, Wallaby Childcare Centre, Apollo Parkways Primary School, and Belgravia Leisure. The following issues were identified:

Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre:

• The Diamond Valley Basketball Association has prepared a detailed scoping document (2014) that outlines the opportunities for a modernised and enlarged stadium complex.

The document argues a case for modernising and expanding the Centre so as to ensure its retention as a sound venue and to cater for the growing demand that is being experienced.

The report draws on Council’s Recreation Strategy 2011-2019, Basketball Victoria’s Strategic Plan 2013-2016 and Commonwealth Funding documents to build a case for the redevelopment proposals. A concept master plan proposes additional courts at each end of the existing main stadium building; three further courts to the front (NE) of the building; additional offices, function space and storage, and outdoor decking with access to the cafe

• Existing social and multi-user areas should be developed further with a large outdoor decking area, to better cater for casual and social community use and provide both a better experience for existing users and new opportunities for new users

• Closure of the through road past the Centre (except for service and emergency vehicles) would allow a greatly extended and enhanced forecourt area

• The topography of the site means that there is scope for providing a substantial area of parking under any new or redeveloped buildings and this could be accessed via the north-eastern end of Civic Circuit

• Overflow parking could use the north-eastern area of the Centre site immediately/ in the short term until further development is undertaken

• The house to the south of the Centre needs to be moved to allow better planning and use of the land

• Signage, landscaping, lights and better paths to the Centre are needed

• The number of courts for netball is sufficient as netball and basketball participation has dropped off

• Improved lawn areas would be used for outdoor fitness programs

• A fitness training track would be used for centre programs and community and school use as well with setback areas for boxing, tai chi, step exercises

• Deciduous shade areas would be good for outdoor activity areas, and

• Family users of the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre would benefit from


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a good picnic and outdoor activities area.

Parking:

• Relocation of the existing car park to the rear, south, of the park would open up the centre zone for wider community uses. Alternately, it could be relocated to the perimeter of Civic Drive. This car parking could be on grassed, concrete slabs which allow water penetration, rather than being asphalt with kerb and guttering (Relocation of car parking would be very expensive), and

• Car parking is a major concern and Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre users often have to park on the lawns below the Council car park, even on week days when one competitor group has not left before the next arrives. Council parking makes the position worse as stadium users are booked if they park in Council spaces.

Outdoor sport:

• There is no need for sports fields at the reserve as one is provided at Diamond Hills Reserve just over 500 m. to the north (The area available for a playing field, to the south of the car park, is relatively small and only one field could be provided. Cut and fill would be needed, along with, most probably, service/support facilities. This would constitute a costly and not very effective initiative and could generate still further traffic).

Outdoor activities:

• Provide outdoor social and picnic facilities with shade and barbeques

Arts and culture:

• Low key arts opportunities could be provided at the stadium, in the parkland or at the library, with these highlighting the features and strengths of Nillumbik

• The Diamond Valley Library in Civic Drive reserve is one of only two in the Shire and in the long term, another library may be built in Diamond Creek

• The library is to have a low-level refurbishment in 2015

• The library attracts a poor level of use and in future under-used areas in the building will be considered for use for arts and cultural programs and Living and Learning training programs

• There is room for other programs and activities as at present the library itself only needs half the space that is available

• The library suffers badly from the lack of signs and wayfinding

• Eltham Library is a very good example of how the library could be redeveloped as it has social areas, a cafe, classrooms etc.

Social, family, children’s opportunities:

• Provide a children’s play area that is visible from Civic Drive. The nearest playground is 500m. away at Plenty River Drive Reserve and there is another 700m. away at Diamond Hills Reserve

The playground next to the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre is hidden and is likely to only be used by people with children that frequent the centre. If it was more visible to visitors to the library and Civic Centre it may attract more use

There may be an opportunity to create a larger more regional playground, which would attract residents from other areas to use the facility. This would, however, need to be determined by the forthcoming playground strategy

• Provide a barbeque, picnic area

• Provide areas that could be used for parties, childcare functions etc. and

• Ensure the reserve is community based and inviting to all cultures.


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Use activities:

• Community days

• Activities for families, local businesses to participate in, and

• Well looked after and maintained to remain an inviting area.

Management:

• Civic Drive Park is a designated Neighbourhood Safer Place so any proposed changes need to keep this in mind so this designation can be retained, and

• The reserve must remain easy to manage. If facilities such as a new playground or exercise equipment are added, the master plan needs to include the estimated maintenance and renewal costs of these over the lifetime of the asset so funding is made available to maintain and eventually, replace the assets.

5.2.3 Community

Residential properties within 600 metres of the reserve were written to by Council with an invitation to attend one of two community walks in the reserve. These were held on Thursday December 11, 2014 and Sunday December 14 2014. A total of 17 people attended the meetings. The issue and opportunities identified at the meetings were:

Issues:

Car parking:

• Relocate/reconfigure car park from between the large open space areas as it dominates the park at present

• Parking is full on weekends and occasionally during the week and the library car park is busy at school drop off/pick up times. As such, development should not exacerbate this

• The existing level of parking needs to be retained to meet demand

• Determine whether parking is available on the TAFE site across Civic Drive (This opportunity warrants consideration although it should not be relied on as the future of the TAFE site is uncertain. Further, parking on the north side of Civic Drive could constitute a significant danger to pedestrians crossing to the stadium given the proximity to the Greensborough Bypass roundabout)

• Consider any impacts of new townhouse traffic on the park. (This issue is not part of this brief but provision will need to be made in the recommended designs for related traffic movements)

• The master plan must address ongoing maintenance commitment (Diamond Valley Council had better standards than does Nillumbik). Council needs to make sure that whatever is developed is well maintained

• Traffic noise from the Greensborough Bypass is disturbing to some users, and

• The Outdoor Performance Centre is rarely used – encourage more community group use or maybe not have the facility in this park.

Opportunities and Needs:

• Better branding and naming of the reserve and Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre eg: “Civic Hub”

• Use the reserve as an entrance statement to the Apollo Parkways precinct/district

• Highlight features that give the reserve an identity eg: Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre, rainwater gardens and related plantings. Provide related plantings elsewhere in the reserve

• Use unique/different plantings as a feature and name the park after the plant species

• In designing layouts, use topographical features as a tool for concealing water tanks and other services

• An off leash dog exercise area (Other residents felt there was no need for this as


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people walk their dogs in the park already and fencing off an area would reduce the area that was freely available for other activities)

• Café and coffee opportunities are limited in the area on the weekend. Provision would be an attractive opportunity for community groups

• The area outside the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre needs to be improved: provide indoor/outdoor social spaces and decking

• If fitness trails or a tan are installed they should have timed lighting for users

• Trails should be designed for multi-use by walkers, cyclists etc and destinations must be clear; make sure trails link to local and district trails

• Provide safe pathway links from library, Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre and Civic Centre to each other venue and to the car park so users do not have to walk on the roads

• There is a need for shade trees and shade structures in the reserve

• Use vegetation for space containment purposes but use plantings to provide views into and out of the park

• Retain the amphitheatre or, if it does not warrant retention, retain an area and power outlets where temporary stages could be erected

• Provide flat and terraced areas near the Civic Centre and /or elsewhere in the reserve to be used for picnics, social activities, while also retaining some of the informal amphitheatre form of the central park area

• Provide built shade structures in association with picnic, barbeque facilities

• Provide adventure play facilities in the open space area adjacent to the stadium (east of entrance road) (Note though, that this area is close to Civic Drive and may not be the most suitable for play facilities and that safety fencing would most probably be needed along the road side. As such, an alternate location for play may be better), and

• Play facilities should have a ‘natural’ timber and rope format rather than plastic

• Play facilities should focus on the needs of 4-5 year olds and not younger as other opportunities exist for this group

• Consideration should be given to provision of public toilets. (There are presently toilets in the Civic Centre, library and Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre. These could be upgraded, added to and better promoted to provide safe community access for long periods of the day, especially given the hours of operation of the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre. Negotiations may be required with Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre management to achieve the best outcome)

• More seating is needed throughout the park

• A flying fox

• Signage to and within the reserve

• Consider a development like Hayes Paddock or Alistair Knox Park

• Whatever is developed, it should cater for all ages and be accessible, which is difficult at present due to the site topography

• Consider a “do nothing” option: this would save money, minimise the attraction of more /too many people to the park, allow the reserve land to be valued as open space in its own right rather than as a developed, recreation venue, allow the retention of flat open areas for casual use (It was also noted that the current park configuration and topography led to few people being attracted to it except the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre and library so this option may not achieve much for the local community)

• Ensure the area to the south of the car park can be retained as a neighbourhood safety zone and CFA staging area

• Assess the need/ opportunity for a skate park, located near the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre for management and servicing. (A study was carried out a few years ago regarding the demand for skate facilities in Nillumbik. It showed that Council needed to consider provision in Eltham, Diamond Creek and Hurstbridge to meet demand. Eltham and Diamond Creek have now been in operation for 7 or 8 years and Council built a skate park in Hurstbridge in 2012. It is thus possible that there is not a large unmet demand for skate facilities in the


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Shire or at Civic Drive at present)

• Consider food vendor vans or other similar managed events that generate some income, provide food services when local shops are closed and possibly, generate income for park maintenance

• The small park in Oriel Road, West Heidelberg (Malahang Reserve) is a good example of a play area, skate seating, paths, and a basketball half court

5.2.4 Minutes of Previous Working Party

The present study has been provided with (a) a list of proposed improvements to the Civic Drive parklands prepared by a resident’s group named the Friends of Apollo Parklands in October 2009 and the Minutes of meetings of the Civic Centre Project Community Reference Group that was established by Council when the initial proposals for residential development of part of the Civic Drive parklands was mooted. These have been reviewed to identify issues pertinent to the present study.

The following points relevant to the present study were listed by Friends of Apollo Parklands:

• Signage and naming of the precinct/ Outdoor Performance Centre after eg an aboriginal identity person, or identify it as part of the Apollo Parkways precinct

• Recognise that many recreational users from eg TAFE, Civic Centre, DVSFC, Primary school, residents, and the Special Development School

• Provide a basketball/netball half court, gathering area & playground

• Encourage increased primary school use of the Outdoor Performance Centre and add appropriate roadside fencing

• Use the parklands as a possible market area or other events

• Use the park as an informal recreation area for all eg: cycling/skating/running track around the perimeter with fitness stations; doggy bins and water tap/bowls

• Identified pedestrian access/safety areas for crossing from the car park

• Extend the Civic Centre into land directly connected to it with rotunda at Civic Drive for people to enjoy views

• Keep the tree-lined frontage along Civic Centre

• Extend the sports stadium into the Civic Drive area

• Provide seating

• Undertake a re-vegetation program, and

• Develop a mural on the Outdoor Performance Centre building.

A number of these proposals are new to the earlier listings while others endorse the ideas identified through the wider consultations program.

The Community Reference Group meeting minutes indicate that the committee explored a range of issues in quite some depth. The first meeting, on February 11, 2010 explored the strengths and weaknesses of the parkland and highlighted:

• The extent of open space at the site

• The views from and into the venue

• The trees

• Topography

• Accessibility from surrounding land uses and by road

• Privacy for users

• Under-use of the reserve and the need to enhance open space quality

• The extent of car parking and the need to constrain or reduce it

• The lack of user and support facilities

• Traffic management and safety issues

• The lack of public transport to the site

• The neglect of the landscape

• The uncoordinated development

• Isolation from the remainder of Nillumbik


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• Poor natural conditions of topography, soil, slope and vegetation

• Poor connectivity to and within the site

• The poor performance of the shopping centre

• The potential negative and positive impacts of the proposed residential development, and

• The lack of signage.

Although some of these issues go beyond the scope of the present study, in general it can be said that the earlier consultation findings reported in this chapter support the assessment of issues made by the reference group.

Subsequent meetings of the Reference Group assessed the strengths and weaknesses associated with various development opportunities for the parklands. These included:

• Community services development opportunities eg: children’s and aged services; play; sport and leisure; retail, commercial, tourism and educational initiatives

• Active sporting opportunities, especially through the stadium

• Residential developments

• Passive open space provision

• Playground facilities

• Cafe development

• Commercial initiatives (such as a medical centre or uses that would complement the Civic Centre)

• Medium density housing

• An observation platform

• Fitness trails and links to existing bike paths

• Enhanced amenities and services

These analyses included an assessment where possible and appropriate, of indicative capital and recurrent costs, land area requirements, and development constraints.

Overall, the optional initiatives that were reviewed and assessed by the Reference Group cover all issues identified by the present study while some go well beyond those considered by it (such as commercial initiatives and housing).

5. 3 Consultations Overview

The program of consultations has identified a wide mix of both ideas and development scales for the Civic Drive parklands. It shows that those consulted saw a need to:

• Aspire to a mix of development and retention with an emphasis on community, low impacts and social opportunities

• Balance meeting sub-regional and municipal level needs associated with the indoor sports centre and library with meeting local community needs

• Make provision for low impact social, walking, cycling and casual use ideas

• Avoid over-development given the park location locally re access and within the overall Shire

• Respect the site size and the development limits this imposes

• Meet existing demands effectively while managing and minimising the impacts of car parking

• Achieve a balance between local and regional development

• Pursue a staged development program so as to allow monitoring of outcomes and not over-provide

• Ensure high quality access for the local community, and

• Exploit the location and the park assets for regional trail links and servicing.


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6

Designing for the Future

6.1 Scope

The objectives of this Chapter of this Chapter report are to present:

• A set of design principles to guide decisions on development options and priorities. These reflect both modern planning processes and the findings of earlier stages of the study

• Several design options, these being developed as a means of exploring the various styles and forms of development that could be pursued in the parklands

• A recommended parklands master plan

• Indicative capital and operational costs for the recommended development, and

• A recommended set of development stages for the parklands.

6.2 Master Plan Vision

The following vision is proposed for the Civic Drive parklands:

The Civic Drive Precinct provides a diverse range of activities for local residents and visitors of all ages. The site provides high quality and attractive facilities ranging from local level parkland to regional level trails, arts/culture and sporting opportunities, while not being overdeveloped. The road and path network facilitates safe and easy movement around and through the site.

6.3 Design Principles

The following are the key design principles that have been used in formulating design outcomes as a result of the findings reported in the previous four chapters of this report:

Scale of redevelopment: The Civic Drive parklands should have a mixed “local” and “sub-municipal” focus. ] A predominant local and sub-municipal focus will ensure that overdevelopment does not occur to the detriment of local use and that there are not excessive demands for parking. It will also reflect the peripheral location of the park within the wider municipal context.

Within the local to regional context, the informal open space areas should be developed primarily to meet local community needs. By comparison, some play elements, trails, and arts and cultural opportunities delivered through the library, the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre and perhaps, through the Civic Centre, Apollo Parkways shops and Apollo Parkways Primary School, should have a sub-municipal focus.

The stadium should have each of a local, sub-municipal, municipal and regional focus given the mix and competition standard of the indoor sports for which it caters.

Ease of access: access will be provided for people of all ages and abilities and for those who wish to travel to the reserve on foot, by bicycle and by car. This will be achieved by:

• Provision of signposted pathways to and through the park

• Upgrading of existing pathways including surface materials, lighting in key areas and signposting

• Installation of safe pathways from all car parking areas to the key components of the reserve, and

• An approved car parking layout. In this context, parking close to the stadium may be restricted to those with special parking needs, special drop-off areas may be designed for eg: parents delivering children to stadium and library programs.

Improved pedestrian movement and safety: road and pathways will be redeveloped


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and managed to separate vehicular and pedestrian/ cycle traffic in the reserve, to slow vehicular movements, to eliminate through traffic.

Optimum opportunity for casual, social uses: settings will be developed in the Civic Drive parklands that make them attractive for informal social use. These will include attractive, shaded seating areas; areas for picnics and small through to larger social groups; flat land capable of supporting fitness programs; informal ball sport kickabout areas; internal pathways, and local to district level children’s play facilities.

Quality: facilities developed in the parklands will be of a good quality in order to minimise maintenance costs and attract respect from the community.

Diversity: the parkland redevelopment will offer a diversity of opportunities such that it is attractive to people of different ages and interests with this diversity reflecting its existing role in meeting both local and sub-municipal/regional needs.

Difference: the redevelopment of the Civic Drive parklands will create a mix of settings and opportunities that are unique within Nillumbik Shire and which are different to other Shire parks. This will be achieved through planting style and plant selection, the mix of opportunities provided for and the design of picnic, play, plaza areas (maybe in front of the stadium and library) and trails.

Capacity for staging: the master plan will be designed to allow ease of staging so that development components can be adjusted to fit the budgets available and enable opportunities for external funding to be explored.

Community engagement: providing a master plan to guide the physical redevelopment of an upgraded and attractive open space in the Shire is the core focus of the present report. Yet, this will only deliver the optimal benefits to the Shire community if the provision of facilities is matched by the provision of quality programs and services.

Partner organisations; It is anticipated that the redevelopment of the open space and community facilities may provide opportunities for partner organisations to deliver programs to complement existing services.

6.4 Design Approach and Concept Options

Based on the issues and opportunities apparent at the park, consultations with users, the surrounding community and council staff, and the above design principles above, a broad conceptual approach to the re-design of the Civic Drive parklands has been identified. This is essentially a “bridge” towards the more detailed landscape master plan for the parkland.

The final landscape master plan has evolved following a program of Councillor, officer, user and community reviews and refinements of a conceptual development framework.

Initially, the master plan development process gave consideration to two potentially sequent-ial redevelopment phases for the Civic Drive parklands. The first, focused on:

• The extensive redevelopment of what have been termed the northern and southern lawn areas to create a far more diverse mix of settings and thereby support a far greater mix of uses

• Provision of a strong link through the main car park to join the northern and southern areas

• Development of a strong forecourt area outside the stadium with direct links to the northern lawn area

• Substantial improvements to pathways to and throughout the parklands

• Extensive revisions to parkland plantings, and

• Changes to traffic management and some parking areas to minimise impacts on pedestrian use of the reserve.

The second more extensive redevelopment and upgrading phase entailed all of the elements of the first but also proposed the resumption of the eastern two-thirds of the main car park to


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allow the creation of one far larger central open space system reaching from the southern, Greensborough Bypass boundary of the reserve to the northern Civic Drive boundary.

Under the second redevelopment phase, the western third of the car park would continue to serve the Civic Centre and library while the resumed eastern two-thirds would be replaced by parkland. New parking areas would be provided between the rain garden and the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre and in the open area to the north of the Centre.

In reviewing the second redevelopment phase, it was noted that while this was very attractive from a parkland development perspective, the high cost of parking replacement meant that it would most probably only warrant consideration if sufficient replacement parking could be achieved and if a major redevelopment and enlargement of the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre warranted the restructuring of parking. In that case, it was argued, a full traffic, parking and demand study would be needed with this giving consideration to developing parking under any new Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre sports courts. If such an assessment indicated that there was a capacity and a substantial benefit to be achieved by meeting parking needs in this fashion, then the phase might be proceeded with.

However, given the current lack of information about parking and traffic needs and the fact that a Centre master plan will not be prepared for several years, the review of the second phase determined that it should not be pursued at present as it could otherwise constitute over-investment in and over-development of the reserve, especially given the size and location of the site. Importantly however, the review indicated that it would be quite possible to “add” the second, more extensive works to the first, less extensive option in the future if desired or if deemed appropriate and effective. It was also noted that the first, less extensive redevelopment phase or option would still achieve vastly improved outcomes for parkland users and the wider community.

In light of the above, the first redevelopment phase has been adopted as that to be used for the master plan presented in this report. However, so the research and concepts are not lost, the longer term and more extensive redevelopment phase has been recorded in Appendix 1.

The conceptual approach used to prepare the master has expressed the direction for the reserve in terms of functional and spatial concepts diagrams, and these are described below.

6.4.1 Master Plan Functional Concept The functional concept used as the basis for the master plan for the Civic Drive parklands is shown in Figure 6.1. It proposes a range of broad land-use zones across the site:

a. The western side of the precinct would remain focused on civic uses, primarily the Civic Centre and library

b. Existing car parks adjacent to the north-west and in the centre of the site would remain to service the existing civic uses and the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre

c. The northern community space would be developed for an increased range of passive or informal active outdoor uses. In this regard the space would remain broadly open and flexible in order to support broad uses, such as performances, community festivals, and school activities. A diversity of spaces would allow for further diversity of passive and informal uses such as walking, jogging, social and family gatherings, picnics, exercise groups, play spaces, and informal ball games

d. The southern community space would be developed as a more active outdoor recreation and intergenerational space, while retaining the flexibility for larger scale community and social events. The active recreation pursuits suitable for this space would be smaller scale and informal activities such as five-a-side soccer, touch, social basketball, dog walking/exercise, kite flying etc

e. There will be an active indoor/outdoor focus in the east of the precinct in association with the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre and adjoining lawn areas which will be structured to support exercise programs and social activities, and

f. A new and enlarged forecourt will be developed at the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre, providing a place for Centre users, cyclists, walkers and the general community to meet, wait and socialise, with improved amenity and character.


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Figure 6.1: The functional concept for the Civic Drive parklands master plan


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6.4.2 Master Plan Spatial Concept The spatial concept shown in Figure 6.2 begins to express how the landscape of the precinct can be developed to provide a setting for the activity zones within the functional concept. The photographs, selected from a range of parklands, illustrate how these spaces may eventually look.

a. The northern community space would feature a central lawn area which would remain focused on the current location of the community building. Whether this location continued to house a building, or an outdoor activity space, the focus of the space would remain the same

b. The area surrounding the central lawn would be expressed as a broader “open wood-land” character, with informally spaced trees located within a simple and open, grassed, ground plane. In this regard the woodland would remain safe, with clear views that are not interrupted by inappropriate shrub planting, while providing enhanced shade and shelter

c. The woodland around the central lawn area would have a varying density of trees in order to create spaces providing for a range of activity spaces as outlined in the description of the functional concept above. In this way the layout will allow for a variety of different groups to use the space at the same time


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Figure 6.2: The spatial concept for the Civic Drive parklands master plan


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d. The woodland will also provide the setting for a network of paths providing for jogging and walking. Located along these paths could be a second sequence of activity nodes, this time focused on exercise stations, providing for a local fitness circuit

e. The southern community space would be unified with the northern space through the development of the same woodland character and a safe and accessible connection path through the main car park. This woodland would again provide the setting for open lawn areas suited to active recreation, as well as a continuing the path network mentioned, again with potential for a series of exercise stations.

f. While likely to remain open to provide essential vehicle movement, the eastern section of Civic Circuit would be narrowed to constrain traffic movements and permit development of a new entry forecourt to the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre. This forecourt would feature extended pavement areas, additional seating and robust planting in order to cater for a large number of people.

g. The area to the north of the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre, could be developed to provide a flexible open space zone which would provide additional opportunities to integrate the functions of the Centre into the precinct.


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6.5 The Master Plan

Following further consultation with council officers and the community, the functional and spatial concepts have been further developed into a draft master plan, described below and illustrated in Figure 6.3.

a. Northern Community Space

As described in the spatial concept text, the northern community space will be characterised by an open informal woodland, defining an open sloping lawn area suited for large gatherings as well as informal sport and play.

The woodland will be formed by clusters of tall, clear-trunked native trees with an open canopy. While final species selection will be the subject of detailed design, the species that will achieve the desired outcome could include Corymbia citriodora, Corymbia maculate or Angophora costata. Selected trees should be proven to allow grass growth and provide light shade.

There will be potential to vary the native woodland character through the use of exotic, perhaps deciduous trees, to highlight a range of focal or gathering spaces. These spaces will include picnic / barbecue and seating areas, exercise stations and a play spaces. Including a range of “nature based” play opportunities set within the native woodland. These play opportunities will be accompanied by informally located seats and benches.

The most prominent focal space will be an asphalt multi-use hardcourt on the location of the existing under-used Outdoor Performance Centre would provide for a range of informal sports and exercise activities, as well as providing a base for temporary staging and shelter associated with festivals or events such as the local Carols by Candlelight.

The range of spaces around the northern community space will be connected by an integrated network of paths providing for walking, jogging and cycling. This path network will also provide for maintenance access to activity spaces and all abilities access to the hard-court activity area. While the final selection of pavement material will be the subject of detailed design, the primary paths should be constructed of a durable and low maintenance solid material. Within the woodland setting, asphalt will be preferred over concrete in order to be more visually recessive.

While the overall topography of the space will broadly remain as existing, in order to continue to focus on the multi-use hardcourt area, localised re-grading will occur to define focal spaces, to achieve improved accessible circulation and to create flat spaces suitable for group and social gatherings.


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Figure 6.3: The Civic Drive Parklands Master Plan


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b. Southern Community Space

The southern community space will have a similar visual character to the northern space – open lawn areas defined by an informal woodland and connected by an integrated path network.

The smaller size of the space will however lead to a different functional character to the northern space. Rather than a central lawn area with a range of spaces around it, the southern space will feature a number of open spaces providing for a range of active but informal recreation opportunities.

The largest open space will be located to the west, closest to Civic Circuit. This will be an open lawn area approximately 55m – 60m in diameter. This dimension will make the space ideally suited to activities such as social cricket, informal family ball play or small sided soccer. The space will be defined by a perimeter path and seating beneath trees.

The central space will be an intergenerational space with a range of surfaces, textures and spaces encouraging informal play. The space will be defined by informal planting of copses of trees suited to bringing a “natural” character into the space. The intergenerational space will measure around 40m x 25m and will be complemented by seating, bicycle parking and drinking fountains.

The eastern space will also be an open lawn area, but will be smaller than the western lawn, measuring around 38m x 22m. This remains suitable for informal activities such as small-sided soccer

c. Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre Forecourt

The Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre is a major facility providing active recreation opportunities for a district – regional catchment. The presentation of the Centre within the community precinct, and particularly the design character of its entry, does not however reflect its prominence as a key focal point within Greensborough and the surrounding suburbs.

While the character and function of the Centre building will be addressed in the master plan proposed to be undertaken in 2015 / 2016, the community facilities master plan proposes that the entry to the Centre be enhanced to function as a forecourt – a space to spend time in, rather than simply a space to pass through. This forecourt will be a new “urban” space to complement the “parkland” spaces elsewhere within the civic precinct.

The forecourt will be paved with textured and coloured materials, such as exposed aggregate concrete, in order to create a strong visual character, while also creating a durable space in which to gather.

The pavement will be softened by copses of trees complementary to the ornamental native character of the main parkland spaces. These trees will be collocated with seats in order to take advantage of their shade.

In addition to seating, the forecourt will also feature drinking fountains, bicycle racks and feature lighting to contribute to both the safety and the character of the space.

The forecourt will therefore be a multifunctional space which will provide for:

Drop-off for Centre patrons

Marshalling / gathering / waiting for Centre patrons and other users of the precinct

Clear identification of the Centre entry

A point of orientation for a range of activities within the broader precinct, particularly training groups and other group activity.


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The forecourt will be linked to a re-graded open grassed area to its north. The primary purpose of this space will be to provide a readily accessible venue for a range of outdoor activities associated with the Centre which would benefit from a flat flexible grassed space, such as personal training, group training, team warm-up, tai chi etc.

d. Access, Circulation and Parking

The master plan proposes that vehicle circulation into and around the precinct will essentially remain as existing. Entry into the precinct will remain from either of the intersections of Civic Circuit with Civic Drive. Both of these entries will then link into the existing central car park and will carry two way traffic.

Two amendments are proposed to vehicle movement areas in order to improve connections and amenity for pedestrians. These are:

Removal of some kerbside parking and provision of raised pavement adjacent the proposed Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre forecourt. The removal of this parking will enable the creation of a broader forecourt space through realignment of the eastern kerb of Civic Circuit. As shown on the master plan drawing, the road pavement will be raised to kerb level in this area, facilitating improved access for pedestrians across civic circuit and slowing vehicles.

Creation of a raised pedestrian path across the central car park to provide enhanced connection between the southern and northern community open spaces. This raised path will also improve pedestrian safety by calming vehicle movement through the car park.

Provision of an enhanced and integrated pedestrian / cycle circulation system across the parklands is a key recommendation of the master plan. Key features of this system include:

Shared paths around both the northern and southern community spaces. The paths will be wide enough to allow for shared use by pedestrians and cyclists across the entire area of the passive community spaces

The path system will link into the existing footpaths along Civic Circuit, providing the opportunity to access and activate the community spaces which is currently lacking, as described in Section 2.3.1. The paths in the northern and southern community spaces will also connect all new activity areas, including the new multi-use hardcourt area, the play areas, the exercise areas and the picnic / BBQ areas in the northern space and the active fields, the exercise areas and the intergenerational space in the south

Connection between the southern space circulation and the broader regional shared trail system. This will particularly link with the Principal Bicycle Network, ultimately leading to the future shared trail proposed along the Plenty River through Plenty Gorge Park and to the existing Main Yarra Trail network to the south

Provision of defined crossings of Civic Circuit to more directly connect users of the proposed path system with existing car parks associated with the Civic Centre and the Library, and

Enhanced connections between the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre forecourt and the mixed use hardcourt area. This will be achieved via the raised road pavement on Civic Circuit adjacent to the forecourt, providing a distinct environment aimed at slowing vehicle speeds, and through two sets of formed steps and accessible path traversing the batter between the road level and the edge of the multi-use area.

e. Potential Plant Species and Their Characteristics

The potential plant species for key elements of the master plan are summarised


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below: NOTE: These are indicative plants which may be considered, the final selection of species to be used at Civic Drive will be determined by a detailed planting plan

Woodland/perimeter plantings

Acacia melanoxylon (Blackwood)

Corymbia citriodora

Eucalyptus leucoxylon ssp. connata (Yellow Gum)

Corymbia maculata

Eucalyptus melliodora (Yellow Box)

Angophora costata

Eucalyptus polyanthemos (Red Box)

Eucalyptus mannifera

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQjRxqFQoTCNbQ8OvCoMgCFcaFpgodcK8C0g&url=http://www.iffa.org.au/acacia-melanoxylon&psig=AFQjCNG9k0JHeyaSGk4ckL589ecnBoswXQ&ust=1443763097957874

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQjRxqFQoTCIHwzJvDoMgCFYMhpgodOF4C8Q&url=http://www.flickriver.com/photos/tags/eucalyptusleucoxylonsubspconnata/interesting/&bvm=bv.104226188,d.dGY&psig=AFQjCNG-Ey0gO0CKbnCY4TsVBGjvRL2raw&ust=1443763188045279

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQjRxqFQoTCOSgxsTDoMgCFUQhpgodf5YIeA&url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Eucalyptus_melliodora_2.jpg&bvm=bv.104226188,d.dGY&psig=AFQjCNG-ZXh25hy_Z3sgwxqKQp2OHRtyxQ&ust=1443763291050764


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Shade trees/feature areas

Acacia melanoxylon (Blackwood)

Ulmus parvifolia

Platanus x acerifolia (London Plane)

Brachychiton “Jerilderie Red”

Pyrus calleryana ‘Capital’ (Capital Callery Pear)

Jacaranda mimosifolia

Pyrus calleryana ‘Chanticleer’ (Chanticleer Callery Pear)

Fraxinus pennsylvanica “Urbdel”

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQjRxqFQoTCNbQ8OvCoMgCFcaFpgodcK8C0g&url=http://www.iffa.org.au/acacia-melanoxylon&psig=AFQjCNG9k0JHeyaSGk4ckL589ecnBoswXQ&ust=1443763097957874

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQjRxqFQoTCLC--IjEoMgCFePbpgodmvEEkA&url=https://davisla.wordpress.com/2011/09/23/plant-of-the-week-platanus-x-acerifolia/&psig=AFQjCNHuwNpfAyJJ9laGB6OhOjyBOZii-w&ust=1443763433191243

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQjRxqFQoTCJSZo7TEoMgCFSbbpgodHA4GQg&url=http://treelogic.com.au/facts/pyrus-calleryana-%E2%80%98capital-capital-callery-pear/&psig=AFQjCNGBAfRAQMlzFCKMW0lglvF3FVa1Lg&ust=1443763496443506

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=0CAcQjRxqFQoTCPPy88rEoMgCFcPZpgod51wL2g&url=https://www.pinterest.com/pin/404901822721019905/&psig=AFQjCNF5QHn9E4eDkjqmzCNyER4OxgpDwA&ust=1443763571481489


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Low Level Planting

Focusing on hardy flowering indigenous species.

Brachyscome multifida

Indigenous Lomandra species, e.g. Lomandra longifolia; Lomandra filiformis

Indigenous Dianella species, e.g. Dianella laevis; Dianella admixta; Dianella tasmanica

Correa species: Correa glabra; Correa reflexa

Hardenbergia violacea

Kennedia prostrata

Pultanaea pendunculata

Einadia nutans


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Dietes grandiflora

Westringia “Blue Gem”

Carpobrotus rossii

Dianella “Little Jess”

Lomandra “Tanika”

Brachysema lanceolatum

Dipplarena moraea


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Pavement materials

Raised vehicle pavements

Asphalt with Omnigrip coloured and textured surface

Shared Path / Cycle Pavements

Simple asphalt, potentially with edging

Exercise station areas

Coloured rubberized surfacing


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Picnic areas

Coloured exposed aggregate concrete

Compacted crushed granite

Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre forecourt

Coloured exposed aggregate concrete

Furniture and fittings

Pre-cast concrete forecourt seats

Park seats

e.g. Commercial Systems Albert Park Seat


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Drinking fountains

e.g. Commercial Systems Corso fountain with dog bowl

Litter bins Bicycle parking

eg: Draffin 900 series litter bins eg: Asco 700 x 525 stainless steel bicycle hoops

6.6 Master Plan Implementation and Indicative Capital Costs

It is proposed that the master plan for the Civic Drive parklands is implemented in two phases. These are:

1. The redevelopment of the entire northern and southern community spaces, including all pathways, focal areas including picnic areas and play spaces, the new hardcourt, the intergenerational space and planting. Some demolition would be required in association with these works.

The discrete nature of northern and southern community spaces means that they could be easily defined and developed with little impact upon adjoining activity areas such as the Civic Centre, the Diamond Valley Library and the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre. The present low levels of use of both spaces means that no major activities would need to be suspended or relocated in order for the development to occur.

2. The realignment and modification of the Civic Circuit roadway, the development of the Sports Centre forecourt, and the enhancement of the existing north-eastern lawn area.

These works would only occur if deemed to be appropriate as an outcome of the proposed master plan for the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre, and would seek to ensure that all works were integrated with any plans to modify or extend the Centre.


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The following chart provides indicative capital costs for the two possible phases of the landscape master plan for the Civic Drive parklands. The costs must be seen as indicative as they are based on the broad master plan drawings rather than detailed design plans. The costs make no allowance for design contingencies, consultant fees, permit costs and other statutory fees, civil works, special conditions that may be encountered, signage, or GST. It warrants noting that it is probable that some elements of the costs associated with the second phase of redevelopment can be attributed to the stadium redevelopment. Further, given the wider sub-regional role of the stadium it is probable that a number of external funding sources could be tapped to help reduce the total cost to Council.

Phase 1 Costs: $

1 Earthworks

bulk earthworks 30,000.00

sub total 30,000.00

2 Demolition

removal existing concrete pavement 8,000.00

removal of existing structure 15,000.00

sub total 23,000.00

3 Intergenerational Area

hard stand area - asphalt only 45,000.00

seating 3,000.00

bicycle rails 8,000.00

sub total 56,000.00

4 Hard Court Area

hard court area - asphalt and line marking 40,000.00

additional space - asphalt only 22,000.00

shelter 15,000.00

bicycle rails 8,000.00

seating 8,000.00

sub total 93,000.00

5 Pedestrian Circulation

asphalt pedestrian paths 145,000.00

landscape stairs 35,000.00

sub total 180,000.00

6 Play and Fitness

develop new playground 80,000.00

fitness stations 40,000.00


7 Picnic and Gathering Spaces

picnic areas gravel pavement 10,000.00

furniture 14,000.00

shade structures 45,000.00

sub total 69,000.00

Continued:


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Phase 1 Costs continued: $

8 Soft Landscape

active spaces 37,000.00

existing grass slope 40,000.00

grassed woodland - planting in existing lawn 60,000.00

garden bed areas 70,000.00

trees (garden bed and car park) 16,000.00


Total $ 794,000.00

Exclusions

Preliminaries Design Contingencies Signage Civil works incl stormwater drainage

Phase 2 Costs: $

1 Earthworks

bulk earthworks 20,000.00

sub total 20,000.00

2 Demolition

removal existing concrete pavement 12,000.00

removal asphalt pavement 8,000.00

removal of trees 17,000.00

sub total 37,000.00

3 Stadium Forecourt

feature pavement 117,000.00

planters 15,000.00

seating 28,000.00

trees 4,000.00

lighting 9,000.00

bicycle racks 8,000.00


4 Pedestrian Circulation

raised shared zone and crossings 24,000.00

sub total 24,000.00

5 Soft Landscape

flexible grassed space 23,000.00

grassed woodland 20,000.00

sub total 43,000.00

Total 305,000.00

Exclusions

Preliminaries Design Contingencies Signage Civil works incl stormwater drainage


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6.7 Conclusion

This Chapter of the report has presented a master plan for the Civic Drive parklands. Two development options or phases were assessed and it was determined that the first, less extensive option should be adopted. This was because:

• It would not require extensive redevelopment of car parking

• It would still deliver significant improvements to the reserve

• It would not risk the danger of over-development or over-investment given the size of the reserve and its location within the Shire, and

• It can be achieved within existing Council budgets.

That said, it was noted that the second, more extensive phase of development could readily be “added” to the first phase or option if future planning identified this as being appropriate and effective. This would only occur, however, following the proposed stadium mater planning study and an association traffic and parking assessment.

The master plan as proposed can be expected to extensively transform the Civic Drive parklands. It will offer new and attractive settings and spaces for a far more diverse range of activities including walking, picnics, social activities, and informal sports. It will substantially enhance the opportunities for walking and cycling and will better link the parklands to the local community, to sub-district and regional trails and to other open space and community resources. The proposed development of a plaza area at the front of the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre will provide more diverse opportunities for informal, social and community activities while the strengthened links between the Centre and the outdoor resources of the park will enhance the joint use of both areas. Improved plantings, pathways and lighting will make the venue more attractive to a wider cross section of the community and deliver substantial benefits to all.


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Appendix 1:

Longer Term Development Phase / Option

A1.1 Long Term Functional and Spatial Concepts

As discussed in Chapter 6, the master plan development process initially gave consideration to two potentially sequential redevelopment phases for the Civic Drive parklands. The first, focused on:

• The extensive redevelopment of what have been termed the northern and southern lawn areas to create a far more diverse mix of settings and thereby support a far greater mix of uses

• Provision of a strong link through the main car park to join the northern and southern areas

• Development of a strong forecourt area outside the stadium with direct links to the northern lawn area

• Substantial improvements to pathways to and throughout the parklands, and

• Changes to traffic management and some parking areas to minimise impacts on pedestrian use of the reserve.

By comparison, the second more extensive phase entailed all of the elements of the first but most significantly, also proposed the resumption of the eastern two-thirds of the main car park to allow the creation of one far larger central open space system reaching from the southern, Greensborough Bypass boundary to the northern Civic Drive boundary. Under this second phase, the remaining western third of the present car park would continue to serve the Civic Centre and library while the resumed eastern two-thirds would be replaced with new parking areas between the rain garden and the stadium and in the open area to the immediate north of the stadium.

In evaluating the second phase, it was noted that while this strategy was very attractive from a parkland development perspective, the high cost of replacement parking meant that it would most probably only warrant consideration if sufficient replacement parking could be achieved and if a major redevelopment and enlargement of the stadium was committed to. In that case, it was argued, a full traffic and parking study would be needed during which consideration could be given to developing parking under new sports courts to the north and north-east of the existing stadium. If this study indicated that there was a capacity to meet parking needs in this alternate fashion, then the option might be proceeded with.

Given the lack of detailed information about parking and traffic needs and the fact that a master plan will not be prepared for the stadium for several years, it was determined that the second and more extensive redevelopment phase should not be pursued at present although it would be quite possible to “add” it to the first, less extensive phase in the future if desired or if deemed appropriate and effective. It was also noted that the less extensive redevelopment phase would still achieve vastly improved outcomes for parkland users.

In light of the above, the less extensive development phase was adopted as that to be used for the master plan presented in this report. However, so the research and concepts are not lost, details on the longer term and more extensive redevelopment model are recorded here and indicative costs have been provided in Chapter 6.

The Long Term functional and spatial concepts shown in Figures A1 and A2 respectively consider some more extensive changes to car parking infrastructure, and the benefits such changes may achieve for the precinct. The additional changes and benefits are summarized below but as noted in Chapter 6, whether they were ever to be pursued would be dependent on initiatives undertaken as a consequence of the future master planning of the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre.


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A1.2 Functional Concept – Longer Term Master Plan Development Option

a. Figure A1.1 shows a new car park to the north of the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre and a second new car park to the south of the Centre. This would increase the provision of car parking and allow the removal of some of the main central car park. This in turn would permit the development of an open space link between the northern and southern outdoor spaces.

b. The location, scale and character of the new car parks would be subject to master planning for the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre.. The topography of the land to the north may allow for some car parking beneath an extended building.

A1.3 Spatial Concept – Longer Term Master Plan Development Option

a. As noted above and as shown in Figure A1.2, the changes to the central car park will allow for a clear open space connection between the existing northern and southern spaces. This connection will allow for additional open grassed spaces, as well as extension of the proposed open woodland outlined under the description of the recommended master plan option.

b. In addition to the open lawn areas, the additional space will allow for more recreation and fitness nodes, as warranted.

c. The additional space will also allow the path network to be extended to provide an increased range of exercise circuits, as well as connecting any new recreation or fitness nodes with car parking and with the general pedestrian circulation system.


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Figure A1.2: The long term functional concept for the Civic Drive parklands


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Figure A1.3: The long term spatial concept for the Civic Drive parkland

Documents

Civic Drive Precinct Development Master Plan for Community ... · Drive, Greensborough. Key outcomes of the Civic Drive Precinct - Concept Development ... west and the indoor Diamond