mildura rural city council strategic vision and … · strategic vision and . objectives paper....

STRATEGIC VISION AND OBJECTIVES PAPER

DEAKIN AVENUE URBAN DESIGN GUIDELINES

MILDURA RURAL CITY COUNCIL

DECEMBER 2015

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Strategic vision & Objectives PAPEr MILDURA DEAKIN AVENUE URBAN DESIGN GUIDELINES

Status Version Checked PM Checked PDDate released

Draft Strategic Vision and Objectives Paper

3 KW LR/MS 17/09/15

Final Strategic Vision and Objectives Paper

1 KW LR 02/12/15

© Planisphere 2015.

This Publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968.

PROJECT CONTROLMildura Rural City Council acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land which now comprise the Mildura Rural City Municipality. We pay our respect to Elders past and present, and celebrate and respect their continuing culture and acknowledge the memories of their ancestors.

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MILDURA DEAKIN AVENUE URBAN DESIGN GUIDELINES Strategic vision & Objectives PAPEr

Contents

INTRODUCTION

VISION & PRINCIPLES

KEY ELEMENTS

PRECINCTS

NEXT STEPS

APPENDICES

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1IntRoduction

The Deakin Avenue Urban Design Guidelines project will respond to and guide the current and future image and appearance of the Avenue. The project aims to provide clear direction for the future of the Avenue, its public spaces and development along it.

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This Paper builds on and incorporates feedback received through the ‘visioning’ workshops to present a draft vision and strategic objectives to guide the future of Deakin Avenue. The detail within this Paper will provide directions for the Draft Urban Design Guidelines Report.

More specifically, chapter 2 details the vision, the ‘whole of Avenue’ future directions and the overarching guiding principles. These aim to create a consistent and strong image of Mildura.

Chapter 3, details the key elements that aim to address the issues identified and achieve the vision and objectives for the whole Avenue.

Chapter 4 then provides further details for five precincts along the Avenue. Each precinct establishes a preferred future character, precinct objectives and suggested actions that will assist in guiding the opportunities that are shown on the precinct maps.

TerminologyPublic realm means all the public spaces along the Avenue: footpaths, nature strips, roadway and spaces.

Built form includes all buildings and structures and refers to their height, spacing between buildings, appearance and shape.

THIS PAPERThe adoption of a clear vision for Deakin Avenue, along with detailed design principles, will assist in guiding future changes and development that:

• Responds to the Avenue’s unique character and sense of place;

• Is located and designed appropriately;

• Achieves a high quality built form outcome;

• Provides a higher functional and attractive public realm; and

• Contributes to a strong and consistent image.

Study AreaThe study area incorporates all land and built form fronting Deakin Avenue, up to and including the road verge. The study area does not include the centre median strip or the road pavement. However, the relationship between the road/median strip with the buildings and verges will continue to be considered as equally important. A landscape masterplan has previously been prepared for the median strip and this project may make recommendations for consideration in any future landscape reviews.

BackgroundStage 1 of the project included undertaking consultation workshops, a community survey and a site survey, to gather all the background information and an understanding of the issues and opportunities available along the Avenue. The Key Issues Report (July 2015) was prepared to detail these issues and opportunities.

Following the preparation of the Key Issues Report, Stage 2 involved a number of workshops in which a preliminary vision and overarching principles were presented to the community and other stakeholders. This provided the opportunity to further develop the vision and principles and to test the initial ideas and opportunities for the Avenue.

Next StepsDetailed urban design guidelines, along with any proposed planning scheme changes to policy, zoning or overlay controls, will be prepared as part of the Draft Urban Design Guidelines report in the next stage.

THE PROJECT

Introduction

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Community infrastructure means facilities within public spaces: seating, drinking fountains, bins, shade structures, paths, signage and bus stops.

The verge refers to the area of the road reserve that includes the footpaths, nature strips and the kerb and channel.

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The Stage 2 ‘visioning’ workshops were undertaken over two days and included presenting the identified issues and opportunities and providing the forum to discuss a future vision and direction for Deakin Avenue.

Four workshops were held, including:

• Development industry and affected landowners (7 attendees)

• General community (11 attendees)

• Council staff and agencies (9 attendees)

• Councillors (2 Councillors attended the workshop and the presentation was circulated to all remaining Councillors for consideration and feedback)

The consultation workshops were advertised by direct mail-out to affected landowners and businesses, and the general community was notified by posters/flyers, the Council website, a radio segment and newspaper advertisement.

This section provides an overview of the responses received. A full summary is provided at Appendix A.

Development Industry and Affected LandownersDiscussion with attendees highlighted the need to cater for increased heights within the city centre and allowing for off-street car parking within new developments. The relationship between the city centre with the river front should also be an important consideration within the guidelines.

Traffic congestion was considered a big issue and the need to provide a truck by-pass that is well-signed and removes heavy traffic from the Avenue. Creating a dual-carriageway ‘boulevard’ style road to Seventeenth Street was also considered an important upgrade for the road.

Landscaping and tree planting was a key theme of the discussion. It was agreed that a wide variety of tree species would be good along the Avenue, as long as ‘messy’ species are avoided and the trees are well maintained.

A separate bicycle/pedestrian path was considered an important action for Deakin Avenue.

General CommunityThe community group provided a great discussion around the ‘vision’ of Deakin Avenue and suggested that it be worded to include words such as; a ‘gallery showcasing’, ‘diversity’, ‘oasis’, ‘aspirations’ and ‘history’. Attendees also suggested referring to Deakin Avenue as a ‘spine’, ‘connector’ or simply ‘avenue’, rather than gateway.

Discussion was varied and included:

• Detailing the relationship between built form and landscaping.

• The need to provide guidance around the location and design of certain land uses.

• Creating a more pedestrian and bicycle friendly avenue that reduces the number of vehicle carriageways, includes an on-road bike lane, off-road car parking and a truck by-pass.

• An enhanced pedestrian environment with improved crossings, disability/pram access, drinking water, appropriate bus stops, shade etc.

• A monument or gateway feature at Fifteenth Street that is iconic and welcoming.

• Ways to showcase and celebrate history and diversity.

what we heard...APPROACH KEY FINDINGS

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Council Staff and AgenciesIdeas for the ‘vision’ were discussed and included reflecting that Mildura is quite modern compared with other towns of a similar age and suggested using words such as ‘multicultural’, ‘diverse’, ‘unfolding’ and avenue rather than corridor.

Discussion included creating a dedicated bike lane on the road, but also protected from cars and safe for kids. Active modes of transport including both cycling and walking were considered very important, encouraging the creation of a place that people want to use and be in on foot.

Sustainability and climate was discussed in relation to creating refuge from the sun for users, including increased verandahs and awnings, as well as using building materials that consider the climate and longevity. Sustainable landscapes need to consider the heat and potential lack of water.

Creating greater opportunities for art installations and strategies such as ‘up-lighting’ key features will enhance the visual amenity of the avenue.

‘...SHOWCASE OUR CULTURE

AND DIVERSITY’

‘THE SPINE OF MILDURA’

‘EXPRESS OUR UNIQUE

HISTORY’

“DEAKIN AVENUE SHOULD BE LIKE

AN OASIS”

CouncillorsDiscussion with Councillors focussed on creating a strong ‘vision’ for Deakin Avenue. Phrases and words that were suggested included: ‘attractive’, ‘historic’, ‘diversity’, ‘iconic avenue’ and ‘tells the story’. Attendees agreed that avenue or boulevard were appropriate words to describe Deakin Avenue and agreed with an earlier suggestion to refer to a ‘street gallery that showcases’.

Further discussion was had around the idea of reducing the vehicle carriageways down to one-lane in either direction and introducing a dedicated bicycle lane. It was discussed that this would be a great way to get people active on the street in a safe way, especially in the city centre areas.

Creating greater opportunities for art installations and strategies such as lighting key features will enhance the visual amenity of the Avenue.

2Vision &

principlEs

The vision for Deakin Avenue has been developed based on Council and community feedback to express the importance of the Avenue to Mildura’s image. The Deakin Avenue vision is:

Mildura's premier avenue: a gallery showcasing our

history, diversity and vitality.

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preserving the local history and displaying its story.

express the transition along the avenue from Horticultural land, through residential, mixed use and city centre to the riverine environment

From city centre to farming land, the Avenue showcases a wide variety of land uses.

Reflecting the transition of land uses along the Avenue through the treatment of built form and landscaping will enhance the expression of the changing role and character of the Avenue.

Building setbacks and heights, and landscape and vegetation types will highlight the theme of each precinct but consistency will be maintained through colour and material schedules and avenues of consistent street trees and well-maintained nature strips that express the region’s various landscape types.

Gateway treatments, especially at prominent intersections will be provided through art, signage, landscaping and high quality built form.

Maintain and enhance the 'Desert Oasis' Quality of the Avenue

Expressing the strong ‘green’ image of the median design and valued ‘desert oasis’ qualities expressed by the community, are important considerations along the Avenue.

A planting and landscape schedule will assist in creating stronger visual links between landscaped areas and ensure seamless transitions between nature strips, private land and the centre median.

The ‘desert oasis’ quality of the Avenue will be enhanced through requirements to provide greener spaces and well maintained front setbacks.

Improving The variety of transport options, and in particular walking, cycling and Public Transport

Active forms of transport, such as walking and cycling, are vital to community health and growth.

Enhancing the Avenue as a place that encourages these forms of transport, along with a reliable bus service, will be a priority consideration through shared paths, designated bicycle lanes and reduced traffic congestion.

The Urban Design Guidelines will set out different themes and design principles for various sections along Deakin Avenue, however some principles apply equally along the whole corridor. The following are the overarching principles for Deakin Avenue.

Create a 'boulevard' style avenue that enhances the feeling of grandeur and Entrance.

The grand ‘boulevard’ of Deakin Avenue will continue to define this premier entrance into the city. It will be enhanced by extending the dual carriageway and median profile to its turn off near the airport.

Showcase Mildura's history, Community Diversity and Aspirations through builDings, art and landscape

Mildura’s rich history is seen all along the Avenue, within the vineyards and farming pursuits, the verdant median strip with its gum trees and palms, the historic churches and civic buildings, that lead to the Murray River lifeline.

Considerate built form guidelines, consistent vegetation planting schedules suitable to Mildura and installations that highlight its past, will assist in

whole of avenue Principles

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Creating a place that people want to use for walking, cycling and public transport will be achieved through increased community facilities (such as; seating and drinking fountains), shade opportunities, improved and frequent bus stops, enhanced safety and visually exciting public spaces.

Require high quality architecture that reflects the status of the avenue and is sustainable, adaptable and sensitive to the climate

The eclectic mix of buildings along the Avenue provide Mildura with a unique character and built form diversity.

High quality architecture will retain a sense of consistency by requiring a colour and material schedule, consistent setbacks within precincts, being considerate of adjacent historic built form so as to not detract from their significance and prominence in the streetscape, and avoiding large or dominating commercial signage.

Buildings will front and address the street through the placement of windows and doors, activating the street as much as possible.

3Key ELEMENTS

This section outlines the key elements which are capable of addressing the issues identified and achieving the vision and overarching principles developed for Deakin Avenue:

These elements and the objectives contained within them apply to the whole of the Avenue and provide a basis for detailed guidelines at the next stage.

The key elements are then followed through into the precincts for more specific actions.

Image of Mildura

Built Form

Landscaping

Land Uses

Lighting and Safety

Access and Movement

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Key Issues• Lack of a consistent ‘vision’ for the Avenue

• Lack of design guidance for development

• Car parking, poor quality buildings and undesirable land uses contribute towards an unattractive image in some locations.

DirectionsDeakin Avenue, as the main thoroughfare and often the first entry point into Mildura for visitors, provides the most ideal place to ‘set the scene’ for Mildura. By creating a vibrant Avenue that tells a story, we can enhance the image of Mildura.

• Extend the dual carriageway and median strip design of the Avenue from Fifteenth Street to its turn off, near the airport.

• Retain and plant consistent and ‘boulevard’ style trees for the entire length of the Avenue, within both the public and private realms, using plant species from a pre-determined species list.

• Create street art and installations along the length of the Avenue, within the verge width and median strip, that highlights Mildura’s diversity, economy and unique flavour.

• Provide consistent community infrastructure and facilities, such as seating, shade structures, bus stops, drinking fountains and lighting. A common theme (including colour, style, material) will assist in bringing the overall image of the Avenue together.

• Ensure front setbacks and public places continue to be maintained to a high standard, in order to ‘showcase’ Mildura’s buildings and landscapes.

• Provide consistent, clear and useable signage that is both informative and directional without being excessive or outdated.

• Reflect elements of Mildura’s aboriginal and cultural heritage through landscaping and art forms.

Element 1 - Image of Mildura

Provide high quality public spaces and consistent infrastructure

Reflect Mildura’s heritage through landscaping

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Key Issues• Poor quality of many new developments

• Colours and materials being too bold and uncharacteristic of Mildura (based on the palette of colours/materials commonly used in the city)

• Blank walls

• An overuse of commercial signage.

DirectionsBuildings, and the precinct within which it stands along the Avenue, will vary in design and form based on land use, however the Avenue will also address buildings consistently.

• Apply a colour and materials palette that considers the landscape and historic context of Mildura (including warm and earthy tones, brick and concrete).

• Require low scale development (1-2 storeys) for the majority of the Avenue, with the exception of the city core (as per the CBD Plan).

• Front and side setbacks to respond to the desired character of the various sections along the Avenue.

• Design buildings to have windows and doors fronting the street to maximise ‘eyes on the street’ and greater street activation.

• Design verandahs or shop canopies on all new buildings where no front setbacks apply.

• Introduce signage guidelines to encourage high quality and non-dominant business signage.

• High quality architectural design which is sustainable and adaptive to Mildura’s climate.

Encourage awnings but avoid blank walls

Key development site in the City Core (large setbacks and bold signage should be avoided)

Element 2 - Built Form

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Key Issues• Verge widths are generally maintained by

landowners and therefore there is little consistency in quality

• Tree/ plant species is varied and lacks consistency

• Front setbacks are sometimes disregarded

• Car parking in front setbacks

• Keeping Deakin Avenue green with water restrictions

DirectionsLandscaping along the Avenue will continue to be one of the most important aspects of Mildura’s image and identity. While landscaping will be addressed within each precinct differently, consistency along the Avenue is also important.

• Require large canopy trees to be planted and/or retained within nature strips. Species used will allow for shade opportunities along the pedestrian paths, while also contributing to the ‘boulevard’ style of the Avenue.

• Develop a vegetation and tree species list to be applied within both the public and private realms.

• Plant species that showcase Mildura’s economic vitality and history (such as vines in the verge up to Seventeenth Street).

• Enhance the ‘desert oasis’ feel of the Avenue through green nature strips and medians, shade trees within front setbacks and grass where appropriate.

• Require landscape breaks within both off-road and on-road car parks.

• Incorporate water sensitive urban design measures where possible and applicable.

• Provide canopy trees within the verge width where awnings are unable to be provided. Minimal landscaping does little to screen carparks

Consistent pavement treatment with regular street trees and community infrastructure

Element 3 - Landscaping

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Key Issues• Disconnection between the city centre and

Mildura Central shopping centre

• Vacant buildings and sites are unattractive

• Some uses, such as car yards and service stations, are not considered appropriate

• Lack of diversity in retail/dining in the city core

• Uses requiring a lot of car parking sometimes conflict and cause congestion with on-street parking

DirectionsFuture land uses along the Avenue will vary and gradually transition from farming to residential to mixed use and community, to commercial in the city core.

• Accommodate the continuation of farming uses to Seventeenth Street.

• Allow for increased residential buildings and uses sensitive to residential uses (such as schools, medical centres, churches and community centres).

• Develop commercial or civic buildings on key intersections and on key gateway sites

to allow for greater flexibility in built form outcomes.

• Encourage mixed use developments with shop top housing to increase pedestrian movement and activity along the Avenue at all times of the day.

• Maximise street activation through on-street dining/trading, glass frontages, long open hours etc.

• Avoid uses that may detract from the ‘desert oasis’ image of the Avenue, such as car yards, service stations and bulky goods stores, unless demonstrated that they will enhance the Avenue.

• Encourage uses that are compatible on both sides of the Avenue to provide linkage opportunities.

• Encourage apartments/tourist accommodation along the Avenue.

Encourage kerb-side dining

Avoid car parks within front setbacks

Element 4 - Land Uses

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Key Issues• Safety and feeling safe when walking along

the Avenue

• Lack of lighting in public spaces at night

• Perceptions of unsafe streets

• Lack of uses that front onto and activate the street, large setbacks and older buildings with less windows and doors on the street

DirectionsConsistent and feature lighting, safety and the communities perceptions of safety will be addressed as a priority along the Avenue.

• Ensure appropriate street lighting is provided along the whole length of the Avenue, with well maintained street lights that are consistent and contribute to the image of the Avenue.

• Provide pedestrian scale lighting along shared pedestrian and bicycle paths to enable the space to be used safely at night and avoid areas of concealment (including dark corners and spaces)

• Use feature lighting to highlight historic/feature buildings, significant trees and art

installations/structures.

• Ensure community facilities, such as bus stops, shade structures, toilet blocks etc., are well lit, avoid areas of concealment and have adequate surveillance by neighbouring buildings and spaces.

• Avoid blank walls and vacant sites, especially on shared paths and near gathering spaces.

• Front all new buildings towards the Avenue, with windows/doors/balconies increasing opportunities for visual surveillance.

• Provide for safe pedestrian crossing points at regular intervals along the Avenue. This includes ensuring traffic lights allow for safe crossing within one green-light cycle.

• Ensure safety for cyclists is provided all along the Avenue, especially at intersections and traffic lights.

Shade structures add visual interest to public spaces

Window placement and lighting assist in creating safer street spaces

Element 5 - Lighting and Safety

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Key Issues• The Avenue is heavily utilised by through-

truck traffic, which is also causing safety concerns. An unofficial by-pass route is sometimes used, however the intersection at Fifteenth Street and other roads have not yet been upgraded to encourage use of this route

• An official truck by-pass route is planned, however this is a medium term project.

• Intersections at Sixteenth and Seventh Streets have been flagged as needing upgrades.

• Safe bicycle movement

• Lack of formal pedestrian crossing points

• Traffic lights often don’t allow pedestrians to cross within one green-light cycle

DirectionsAccess and movement along the Avenue will be vastly improved by upgrading intersections, decreasing truck movement and providing safer spaces for alternative modes of transport.

• Upgrade the intersection at Seventeenth Street to formalise the proposed truck by-pass route and removing the majority of the truck traffic from the Avenue.

• Undertake appropriate intersection upgrades to allow for a safe flow of traffic and pedestrian crossing within one green-light cycle (e.g. Seventh Street).

• Create a designated bicycle lane from Fifteenth Street to Seventh Street to provide safe access for road bike users.

• Provide for regular safe pedestrian crossing points (signalised zebra crossing or traffic light upgrades as appropriate).

• Extend the shared pedestrian and cycle path within both verges along the length of the Avenue. The path should be constructed using consistent materials, line markings and appropriate pedestrian scale lighting and signage.

• Formalise on-road car parking with line markings and providing regular landscape ‘breaks’ between car parks.

• Improve public transport between Mildura Central Shopping Centre and the Mildura CBD. The service should operate frequently and be supported by more frequent bus stops.

Shared pedestrian/cycle path

Upgrade major intersections to consider pedestrian movement

Element 6 - Access and Movement

4PRECINCTS

PRECINCTSPrecinct 1

Precinct 2

Precinct 3

Precinct 4

Precinct 5

HORTICULTURAL EDGE PRECINCT

RESIDENTIAL PRECINCT

CITY GATE PRECINCT

MIXED USE PRECICNT

CITY CORE PRECINCT

Consistent with the overall vision, this Precincts section provides greater detail for sections along the Avenue. It provides a statement of preferred future character, objectives and general and specific suggested actions for achieving the preferred future character. Ways to implement the broad Principles of land use, built form, landscaping, lighting and safety, and access are covered in the Precincts.

The five precincts are principally based on the activities and land uses fronting the Avenue. The names of the Precincts reflect their intended primary use, and the boundaries between Precincts utilise roads for convenience. The existing and preferred built form within each of these Precincts also varies, and in some cases this relates to the land use and in others the two can be considered independently.

Suggested actions outlined within each precinct are supported by some specific actions that have been annotated on the precinct maps.

The resulting statement of preferred future character, objectives and suggested actions will be used to develop detailed recommendations and guidelines for each Precinct along the Avenue.

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Precincts

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horticultural edge RESIDENTIAL

The Horticultural Edge precinct will be the grand landscaped gateway to Mildura, highlighting the historic roots and dry, irrigated landscapes of the surrounding environs.

Five precincts have been identified through the key issues stage and subsequent consultation workshops, as shown on the map below.

precinct 1 PRECINCT 2

The Residential Precinct will be community orientated and flanked by formal and elegant pedestrian promenades, along with high quality landscapes that enhance the residential interface to the Avenue and provide regular shade opportunities.

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city gate mixed use CITY CORE

PRECINCT 3 PRECINCT 4 PRECINCT 5

The City Gate Precinct will be a vital transition into the urban/city fringe.

The busy hub of the Mixed Use Precinct will be enhanced for its strong and iconic public realm and built form features.

The City Core will be a vibrant destination that celebrates Mildura and provides a majestic and revealing walk through history.

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Horticultural EDGE PRECINCTPRECINCT 1

The Horticultural Edge Precinct will be the grand landscaped gateway to Mildura, highlighting the historic roots and dry, irrigated landscapes of the surrounding envrions. It will be retained for farming purposes and low density residential, with large front setbacks, to continue to maintain the wide, open feel of the rural edges. The precinct will showcase its economic vitality through vineyards and other uniquely Mildura farming foundations in the verges. It will introduce the ‘desert oasis’ feel of the Avenue to visitors.

Provide a gateway statement or landscape feature within the verge and central median that expresses the roots of Mildura and welcomes visitors.

Extend the formal dual-carriageway boulevard, with gravel kerb and channel reflecting the rural feel.

Provide wide and high quality, well maintained verges that incorporate vineyards, olive trees and other representations of Mildura’s farming foundations.

Create an entrance that reflects the surrounding land uses and agricultural hinterland.

Key Element Suggested Actions

Image of Mildura Create an iconic gateway to Mildura.

Extend the dual carriageway and median profile of the

Avenue.

Built Form Recess buildings into the landscape using large setbacks

and non dominant building styles.

Landscaping Showcase the regions horticultural foundations in the

verge width.

Land Uses Encourage: retention of horticultural and farming based

activities; and allow occasional residential uses with large

front setbacks.

Discourage: caravan parks and other tourist

accommodation, warehouses, large production and

places of assembly.

Lighting and

Safety

Provide consistent and regular street lighting.

Access and

Movement

Upgrade the Seventeenth Street intersection to allow for

a truck by-pass route.

Precinct Objectives Precinct Suggested Actions

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Future dual carriageway and median extension

Incorporate dry and irrigated landscaping and substantial trees along the verge and within front setbacks (e.g vines or other examples of Mildura’s economy)

Maintain an informal rural edge to the roadway

Provide for truck turning movement at Seventeenth Street to encourage trucks off the Avenue and onto future bypass route

Create a gateway/welcome to Mildura statement with an art installation or major landscape feature

Sustainable drainage system along the Avenue integrated with water retention basin

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LEGEND Notable features

Precinct boundary

Future gateway

Intersection upgrade

Truck movement

Major viewlines

Oak Valley Estate

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HORTICULTURAL EDGE PRECINCT - ACTIONS Precinct 1

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RESIDENTIAL PRECINCTPRECINCT 2

The Residential Precinct will be community orientated and flanked by formal and elegant pedestrian promenades, along with high quality landscapes that enhance the residential interface to the Avenue and provide regular shade opportunities. The precinct will cater for Mildura’s residential growth and therefore will predominantly consist of detached dwellings and community facilities. Residential buildings will front and address the Avenue, with well-maintained and landscaped setbacks. Installations that tell the story of Mildura’s diverse and growing population will add visual interest to the Avenue.

Extend the formal dual-carriageway boulevard, with kerb and channel.

Provide for high quality and maintained grassy verges and setbacks, with tall canopy trees common to Mildura.

Provide for frequent and safe pedestrian crossing points to create a safer environment around schools and residential areas.

Create a shared pedestrian/bicycle path within both verges, to encourage active forms of transport.

Improve traffic congestion and movement, through intersection upgrades.

Ensure new development has an address to the Avenue.

Create long open views into the proposed sports reserve.

Maintain high quality green verges, with sealed road shoulders and formalised parallel car parking.


Image of Mildura Create gateway statements through art or landscape at the

Seventeenth St and Sixteenth St intersections.

Enhance boulevard style planting within the median/verges.

Built Form Require all new residential development to have an address

to the Avenue.

Landscaping Use large native shade trees along both pedestrian

promenades that maximise relief from the sun.

Encourage grassy verges and within front setbacks.

Avoid bushes and shrubs that could create areas of

concealment.

Land Uses Encourage: traditional density residential with moderate

front setbacks and rear access; open space and recreation;

community facilities.

Discourage: commercial, service stations and farming.

Lighting and Safety Provide pedestrian scale lighting along both promenades

and require all new buildings to front windows and doors to

the Avenue.

Access and

Movement

Extend the dual-carriageway with median profile.

Provide greater opportunities for pedestrian crossing.


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Maintain and increase greenery along the property frontages

Future development to front and address the Avenue with rear access

Integrate future sports facilites & wetlands with the Avenue

Renew and plant large shade trees in grassy nature strips with formal sealed kerb and channel

Future dual carriageway and median extension

Pedestrian promenade for bikes and pedestrians with seating, lighting and shade opportunities

LEGEND

Precinct boundary

Future gateway

Potential location for landscape feature or art scuplture reflecing the growing and diverse community


Pedestrian crossing

Provide sheltered bus stops & seating (indicative location only)

Major viewlines

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RESIDENTIAL PRECINCT - ACTIONSPrecinct 2

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Shared path for bikes and pedestrians with seating, lighting and shade opportunities

Encourage landscaping within the frontages on private land to project and complement the ‘desert oasis’ quality

Use vegetation or art to conceal substations

Future median extension with landscaping to include a mix of exotic, native and indigenous trees and vegetation

LEGEND

Precinct boundary

Future gateway

Future art/sculpture or landscape feature

Pedestrian crossing


Provide sheltered bus stops & seating (indicative location only)

Major viewlines

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Notable features

Church of the Latter Day Saints

Mildura Aged Care

Centennial Gardens

North West Funerals

Mildura South Primary School

Mildura South Post Office6

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RESIDENTIAL PRECINCT - ACTIONSPrecinct 2

Existing condition photos of the Residential Precinct

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City gate PRECINCTPRECINCT 3

The City Gate Precinct will be a vital transition into the urban/city fringe. An enhanced entrance statement will landmark the Fifteenth Street intersection and be surrounded by high quality feature buildings. The precinct will be a busy hub of activity as it anchors the secondary retail role of the Mildura Central Shopping Centre. Formal boulevard style planting will enhance the gateway and transition function of the precinct, while retaining its green landscapes.

Create a strong ‘city gate’ statement at the Fifteenth Street intersection, with opportunities for urban art/sculpture that resonates with Mildura’s past and future.

Provide for art/sculpture that highlights the approach to the Murray River and the Mildura CBD.

Encourage low scale commercial uses and offices that compliment the secondary retail function of the area.

Increase visual amenity and access by avoiding car parking within front setbacks, utilising rear vehicular access where available.

Encourage consistent street setbacks for well maintained gardens.

Increase street tree planting (including large shade trees) to improve the strong ‘boulevard’ feel of the Avenue.

Improve pedestrian crossing safety at the Fifteenth Street intersection.

Improve safety for cyclists.


Image of Mildura Create a major gateway statement at the Fifteenth Street

intersection.

Built Form Require high quality feature buildings at the Fifteenth

Street intersection to landmark this key transition site.

Landscaping Enhance the green image with a variety of vegetation in

the verges and private realm.

Land Uses Encourage: commercial or civic opportunities at the

Fifteenth Street intersection; mixed use commercial/

residential developments; some retail; residential with

reduced setbacks and apartments.

Discourage: service stations, car yards and bulky goods

retail.

Lighting and Safety Provide pedestrian scale lighting along shared paths and

require all new buildings to front windows and doors to

the Avenue.

Access and

Movement

Provide a designated bicycle lane.

Provide safe pedestrian crossing points at the Fifteenth

Street intersection.

Create shared pedestrian/cycle paths within the verges.


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Separate bike lane on both sides of roadway

Shared pedestrian and bicycle path within the verge on both sides

Plant a wide range of vegetation including grassy verges to reinforce the ‘green image’

LEGEND

Precinct boundary

Major gateway feature


Key development sites

Pedestrian crossing

Major viewlines

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Notable features

Landscaping around McDonalds

Mildura Central Shopping Centre

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CITY GATE PRECINCT- ACTIONSPrecinct 3

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Mixed Use PRECINCTPRECINCT 4

The busy hub of the Mixed Use Precinct will be enhanced for its strong and iconic public realm and built form features. High quality architecture will integrate with strong landscaping themes that enhance the image of Mildura. Pedestrian amenity and safety is paramount, as the range of community uses and schools continues to reflect the vitality of the city.

Investigate options for the appropriate management of transport along the Avenue to create a more pedestrian oriented environment.

Investigate options to provide a protected bicycle lane.

Install consistent footpath treatments, using pavers or stencilled concrete that create visual links with the Mildura CBD.

Encourage an eclectic mix of community, education, civic and residential uses, that contributes to a lively and active precinct.

Create a safe pedestrian street, by increasing active frontages that optimise ‘eyes on the street’ and pedestrian crossing points to the median strip.

Retain and increase substantial trees along shared paths to maximise shade opportunities and usability.

Encourage a seamless transition between uses with large setbacks (e.g. church sites) and the Avenue.

Provide a strong and formal edge to Henderson Park that highlights its location on the Avenue.


Image of Mildura Provide opportunities for community art that tell

Mildura’s story

Built Form High quality architecture with reduced setbacks for all

new development.

Landscaping Formalise boulevard style planting in the median and

verges with tall and elegant tree species.

Maintain manicured large setbacks (existing) that

highlight historic architecture.

Land Uses Encourage: mixed use developments; civic and

community buildings (including medical and education

uses); and commercial opportunities.

Discourage: service stations, car yards and bulky goods or

large format retail.

Lighting and Safety Provide increased pedestrian scale lighting along shared

paths and within Henderson Park.

Access and Movement Provide a designated bicycle lane.

Provide regular safe pedestrian crossing points.

Create shared pedestrian/cycle paths within the verges.

Formalise on-road car parking.


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Shared path down to Eleventh Street

Improve Henderson Park frontage to the Avenue

Plant canopy trees within verge

Investigate options to create a more pedestrian oriented environment

LEGEND

Precinct boundary

Future gateway

Future shared path

Major viewlines

Enhance pedestrian connections

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Notable features

St Margarets Church

St Andrews Church

Mildura Library & Visitor Centre

Henderson’s Park

Chaffey Secondary College

Mildura Senior College

Greek Orthodox Church

Kalimna Village

Mildura Specialist School4

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Opportunities for Community Art installations that tell Mildura's story in the median and within public land setbacks

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MIXED USE PRECINCT - ACTIONS

Precinct 4

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PRECINCT 5

CITY CORE PRECINCTThe City Core Precinct will be a vibrant destination that celebrates Mildura and provides a majestic and revealing walk through history. The City Core precinct focuses on active frontages and an improved relationship between the public and private realms. The city core will be a safe place that prioritises pedestrians. Vertical gardens, overhead vines, kerb-side dining and entertainment uses will excite and attract residents and visitors to the precinct.

Enhance the relationship between the built form and public realm by encouraging buildings to be built to the boundaries, provide verandahs and allow for kerb side dining.

Increase planter boxes and shaded seating with more canopy trees, the installation of awnings or pergolas with overhead vines that provide places for shoppers, diners and visitors to stop and rest.

Provide high quality architecture that respects and emphasises the historic features of the Mildura CBD.

Incorporate uses that attract residents and visitors to the city as a key destination.

Encourage ‘green walls’ and vertical gardens on blank walls to increase urban cooling and greening of the streets.

Investigate options for the appropriate management of transport along the Avenue to create a more pedestrian oriented environment.


Image of

Mildura

Introduce uplighting to highlight all landscape and building features.

Built Form Buildings to be built to the boundary.

New buildings to be high quality with articulated facades and

address the Avenue through windows/doors and opportunities to

spill out onto the street.

Verandahs and awnings to all new buildings.

Landscaping Encourage the use of overhead vines in lieu of awnings.

Provide vertical gardens in laneways and on blank walls.

Land Uses Encourage: commercial, retail, cafes/restaurants, entertainment

uses and shop top housing.

Discourage: large format retail and any uses that require large

setbacks.

Lighting and

Safety

Provide pedestrian scale lighting in all spaces.

All new frontages to be transparent and open to the street.

Access and

Movement

Prioritise pedestrians and cyclists, with protected on road bicycle

lanes and reduced speeds.

Create increased pedestrian crossing points to the median strip and

improve crossing at traffic lights.

Improve through links and lanes by activating them with increased

activity and fronting land uses.


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Buildings up to 4 storeys with upper level recessed and no front set backBuildings up to 3 storeys with small landscape

front setbacks

Seventh to Tenth Streets (fronting the Avenue)Tenth to Eleventh

Improve the relationship/connection with the waterfront


Plant canopy trees within verge

Investigate options to create a more pedestrian oriented environment

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NOTABLE FEATURES

Mildura Grand Hotel

27 Deakin Cafe & Food Store

Former Post Office

Magistrates Court

Police Station

Council Offices

Mildura Club

Deakin Cinema Complex

Working Man’s Club

Centrelink Building

Fishers Supa IGA

MADEC (Former Methodist Church)

Christ Church

LEGEND

Precinct boundary

Gateway feature

Major view lines

Improve through linkages (laneways and arcades

Enhance pedestrian connections

Opportunity site

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CITY CORE PRECINCT - ACTIONSPrecinct 5

5next STEPS

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This Strategic Vision and Objectives Paper (Draft for Adoption) will be placed on public exhibition to allow community members, landowners and stakeholders further opportunity for comment and feedback.

Following close of the public exhibition period, the feedback received will be reviewed and the Paper amended in collaboration with the Project Steering Committee.

Council will then adopt the final Strategic Vision and Objectives for Deakin Avenue.

URBAN DESIGN GUIDELINESThe Draft Urban Design Guidelines (UDG) will be prepared as part of the next stage of the project. It will take the objectives and ideas outlined in the Strategic Vision and Objectives Paper, and further detail them to provide a concise plan for the future of Deakin Avenue.

The detailed Draft UDG will be put on public exhibition to allow the community and stakeholders to again review and provide feedback on the project.

An implementation plan will be provided as the final stage of the project. This will include a list of actions

resulting from the report and highlight the roles and responsibilities within and outside of Council in carrying out those actions.

Recommendations for a planning scheme amendment may also be made, which could include changes to policy, zoning and/or overlay provisions in order to give effect to the final Urban Design Guidelines.

Next Steps

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AAppendices

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Strategic vision & Objectives PAPEr

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meeting minutesDEVELOPMENT INDUSTRY AND LAND OWNERS5 August, 2015 3:00 - 4:00 Mildura Library

VISION• Breathe

PRINCIPLES

• Multi-storey in city centre

• Off-street car parks

• Avoid heavy traffic, by-pass to be well signed

OTHER ISSUES• Red bottle brushes should be avoided as they

are messy

• Pistachios are great but need to be maintained under power lines.

• Consider carob trees

• Palms in median

• Dual-carriage boulevard to Seventeenth Street

• Gardens, topiary trees, vines etc. in verge represent Mildura’s economy

• Wider variety of uses between Fourteenth and Hunter Streets

• Variety of vegetation should be encouraged

• No trucks and expand the Avenue to three lanes

• Increased policing along the avenue

• Well maintained buildings and landscapes to showcase Mildura

• Bike shared path on both sides

• By-pass so trucks avoid Deakin Avenue altogether

• Separate bikes and pedestrians

• Initial proposed sub-precincts too restrictive

• Consider the relationship with the riverfront

• Open landscape setting between Sixteenth and Seventeenth transition area

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GENERAL COMMUNITY5 August, 2015 6:00 - 7:30 Mildura Library

VISION• Deakin Avenue is not really a gateway

• Deakin Avenue is a spine and also a connector and is iconic to the local community

• Need to express the history

• Should be like an oasis

• Aspirations should express the cities past, present and future.

• Gallery – a gallery showcasing past, present and future diversity

• Oasis

Other issues raised• ‘Drill down’ to incorporate land uses

• Avoid service stations or provide more guidance as to their location and design

• Integration between landscape and buildings is very important

• Highlight and recognise Henderson Park, it has an important frontage and history (holds lots of ceremonies etc).

• Car parking on the verge looks bad around Thirteenth Street

• Pistachio trees are successful due to climate, shade and aesthetic value

• Need to consider aboriginal, indigenous, Australian history – how can we reflect/celebrate this?

• Consider natural history elements within the edge/growth precinct

• Precinct names could be local aboriginal names

• City precinct should start at Eleventh Street

• Do not reference ‘Kinetic Design’ want to make it a destination and walkable, not about viewing it from a car as a primary design consideration

• One lane with increased road verge

• Should allow for on road bike lane

• Consider verge parking, kerb-side planting and kerb-side dining

• Congestion at Fifteenth intersection an important consideration

• Link east and west, provide attraction on both sides

• Consider the existing tensions between the two sides of the road reserve.

• Zoning is an ongoing challenge. Look closely at the land uses and what is permissible ‘as of right’

• Drinking water, need to consider access for community

• Encouraging access to Deakin Avenue as a destination and enhancing access on other streets to avoid Deakin Avenue as a through route

• Council and VicRoads working on a road hierarchy in Mildura

• Smart Roads

• Bus stops are often lacking a shelter or ‘place’ to stop (just a sign)

• KIR report says tram was planned to airport –

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this reference is incorrect –old town

• Controls to separate land uses such as schools, take away and liquor outlets

• Art/sculpture that represents Mildura’s agriculture, economy, community

• Tram car along either side of median

• Link land uses

• Avoid parking issues

• Bike lanes on the road

• Vehicular traffic on one side and other forms of transport on the other

• Document history to allow valued historic elements (eg buildings and trees ) to be retained/protected

• Tree Register

• Adequate car parking

• Lighting to highlight key features (including trees)

• Welcome refugees and people

• Lawn as relief to hard surfaces in the heat.

• Clean up median towards Mildura South

• Maintain as green and tidy kerbs

• Economic viability

• Uses that create a destination

• Uniqueness to Mildura eg tree species, is lawn appropriate considering the climate?

• Truck bypass around Mildura

• Showcase history of Olive Trees

• Enhance pedestrian access

• Off Road parking

• DDA and pram access

• Speed vehicle traffic

• Fifteenth Street Monument, iconic gateway to celebrate and represent Mildura.

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GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND STAFF WORKSHOPS6 August, 9:00 - 10:30 2015 Council Room

Vision• Modern – a lot of older buildings were lost

due to white ants, need to make way for newer buildings

• Multicultural – Indigenous community

• Diverse and unfolding

• Avenue rather than corridor

Principles and ideas• Dedicated bike lanes on road but also away

from cars, safe for kids

• Verandahs, away from city centre, a refuge from heat and rain

• Materials that consider climate and longevity

• Active – alternative modes of transport- a place people want to walk and experience on foot

• Sustainable landscape – previous lush lawns and floral gardens have not lasted due to water

• Enhance/enrich pubic art – seemed to stop in the 1980s.

• Water systems cause damage to roads, careful to look at tree species

• Car parks to rear of buildings vs safety

• Caravan stops and tourist points at the start of Deakin Avenue Gateway

• Up lighting Strategy for Seventh to Eleventh Streets

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VISION• Attractive- large trees, not necessarily native

• Historic

• Diversity

• Not a ‘gateway’

• Boulevard or Avenue?

• Mildura’s iconic avenue: a street gallery that expresses/showcases our history and who we are/ tells the local story.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS• Dedicated bike/gopher lane, with one

carriageway in either direction for cars

COUNCILLOR WORKSHOP6 August, 2015 1:00 - 2:30 Council room

mildura rural city council strategic vision and … · strategic vision and . objectives paper....

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