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Penrith Regional City Garden

Feasibility Study Report

November 2008

Job No. 07628

Prepared for: Penrith City Council

Prepared by:Context Landscape Design

Level 2, 52 - 58 William Street

East Sydney, NSW 2011

T. +612 8244 8900 F. +612 8244 8988

E. [email protected]

Revision Date Description By Chk App

01 AUG 200801 DRAFT REPORT - FOR COMMENT H.A

14 AUG 200802 DRAFT REPORT H.A

03 FINAL REPORT - Council and Landcom comments incorporated H.A

U.B

U.B

U.B07 NOV 2008



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Penrith Regional City Garden Feasibility Study Report - November 2008





Executive Summary

1.0 Study Background1.1 Introduction1.2 Study Objectives1.3 Study Methodology

2.0 Penrith Background2.1 History2.2 Natural and Cultural Landscape2.3 Current and Future Physical Planning Strategies2.4 Current and Changing Population Trends

2.5 Current Open Space Provisions and Recreation Trends3.0 Informing the Concept

3.1 Overview of International and National Garden Examples3.2 Current Australian Examples3.3 Contemporary Design Initiatives and Best Practice3.4 Environmental Sustainability Opportunities3.5 Education Initiatives3.6 Universal Design Initiatives3.7 Programming Initiatives

4.0 Key Issues4.1 Current Penrith Issues4.2 Future Recreational Styles and Facilities4.3 Links with Local Regional Open Space Network

4.4 Identifying Niche Opportunities in Penrith4.5 Providing Leadership in Sustainability4.6 Financial Issues4.7 Management and Maintenance Issues4.8 Partnerships

5.0 Public Consultation5.1 Think Tank Outcome

6.0 Developing a Model6.1 Vision and Objectives of the City Garden6.2 Analyses for Model Development6.3 Components of the Model City Garden

7.0 Model Options7.1 Options

7.4 Possible Sites

8.0 Preferred Model

9.0 Cost Assessment and Possible Funding Sources9.1 Lessons Learnt from Existing Gardens9.2 Cost Analysis for Proposed City Garden9.3 Implementation and Maintenance

9.5 Possible Funding Sources

10.0 Implementation and Timing

11.0 Conclusion

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CONTENTS





Bibliography

APPENDICES

Appendix A: Recreation Study Appendix B: OUT & About in Penrith Study Appendix C: Garden Research Appendix D: ANBG Interpretive Typologies Appendix G: Model Development, Comparison of Elements Appendix I: Urban Agriculture Opportunities Appendix J: Botanical Themes Research , Dr David J. Collins Appendix K: Funding and Grants Appendix L: Landscape Maintenance Guidelines

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1Penrith Regional City Garden Feasibility Study Report - November 2008

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

As a major river city at the nexus of the Cumberland Plains, the BlueMountains and the emerging Penrith Lakes, Penrith has outstandingopportunities for pleasurable and responsible urban living in the 21stcentury. To contribute to this vision, the City would like to explore theopportunity to develop a Regional City Garden. This study explores thefeasibility of such a proposal.

The study reviews a wide range of international and national publicgardens including botanic gardens and new urban parks. It also reviewsdesign initiatives and social and environmental innovations that can

be incorporated into a model city garden, augmenting the recentPenrith City Council. The extensive review highlights the importanceof programs and activities within a city garden to sustain its vitality andcontinued visitation.

An analysis of current recreational trends and facilities in Penrithindicates that if a regional city garden is modelled on current botanicalgardens, it will limit its potential as a recreational destination. Insteadthere are niche opportunities for Penrith to develop a unique city gardenforging a number of local and regional partnerships. Themes for such acity garden, explored through workshops with design experts, relevant

Drawing from the city garden research, recreation analysis andconsultative workshops, three options for a city garden were developed;a single centrally located site, multiple sites with green connections,and the whole city as a garden. A range of possible locations wereconsidered for these options.

The option of a single central garden has advantages of economiesof scale and the opportunity to concentrate resources into a focusedlocation. The management of a single garden would be less expensiveand more self-sustaining.

Multiple sites have the advantage of being accessible to the wider Penrith community. The plurality of city garden destinations may increaseoverall patronage as each location will offer an independent experienceencouraging separate visits rather than a single visit to a more compactwhole facility. Disadvantages of the multiple site option include theadditional costs of dispersed resources for operations and maintenance,the lack of focus for the city gardens, and the lack of a critical mass

The whole city as a garden option was not pursued as it is alreadyachievable through current planning strategies for open space, streetsand the public domain.

for private partnerships could be explored further as a hybrid optionbetween the single and multiple sites. This option combines a major




2 Penrith Regional City Garden Feasibility Study Report - November 2008

focal site, for example, near the Penrith Lakes development with asmaller adjunct site as part of the Riverlink development; both linked bythe garden proper, this should be part of at least 30 ha to permit futureexpansion and the eventual inclusion of additional facilities. This isrecommended as the preferred model for the Regional City Gardens.

The proposed City Gardens can brand Penrith as a leader inenvironmental sustainability and the application of universal design.

It can consolidate community partnerships and showcase localproducts, including those from local farms. The educative role of theCity Garden can operate through stimulating thematic gardens as wellas collaborative research projects with universities in Sydney and theSydney Botanic Gardens.

Contextually, the City Garden can sit within and augment the existingand developing regional open space network. As a recreationdestination, the City Garden can provide an urban setting for funactivities, particularly based on water and, through a well-developedevents program, contribute to Penrith as a balanced city on the edge of the Sydney metropolitan area, attracting professionals and managers tolive in the area.

The cost assessment and evaluation shows that the preferred citygarden hybrid model with a range of programs and activities andeducational links could be feasible, particularly if its location can increasethe economic and aesthetic value of surrounding developments.





1.0 STUDY BACKGROUND

1.1 Introduction

The City of Penrith will become the principal centre servicing the northwest Sydney sub-region, consolidating the unique opportunities it haslink between the south west and the north west growth centres, as well

The City is planned to grow by some 33,000 people up to 2021 andseven Regional Cities in the State Government’s Metropolitan Strategy,

Penrith will have a new urban footprint and enjoy more dynamic cultural,recreation and leisure trends. The establishment of a Regional CitySydney’s dynamic metropolitan north-west growth sector.

Penrith’s 2007/08 Management Plan requires that the City’s recreationand leisure needs. A Regional City Garden could provide an innovativeurban leisure facility, particularly if it was founded on a design philosophywhich stamped it as uniquely Penrith, inventive and widely renowned asa place to visit.

Penrith City VisionPenrith City’s vision is one of a sustainable and prosperous regionwith a harmony of urban and rural qualities with a strong commitmentto environmental protection and enhancement. It would offer both thecosmopolitan and cultural lifestyles of a mature city and the casualcharacter of a rural community. The vision includes:

enhancement of the landscape setting of the City Centre,environment,the creation of a new city park that brings the atmosphere of thecountry into the cityconnections from the city to the river

Tench Reserve , Penrith

City Centre, Penrith

Ropes Crossing, St Marys

Aerial of Nepean River and Riverlink precinct





Study Visionowned and administered by the city, and providing a range of recreational uses including activities associated with botany andhorticulture.

The study proposes and evaluates models for the Penrith City Garden sothat it can be a world class facility, designed and built to universal designstandards as well as inform, entertain, and enrich the recreational,

cultural, environmental and educational experiences of Penrith’sresidents and visitors for many years to come.

The City Garden model will ensure exemplary water-wise design andenvironmental sustainability. Themes celebrating the city’s biodiversity,cultural and natural heritage, and a commitment to environmental values

1.2 Study Objectives

The study provides the background information required to determineimportant role of Penrith Regional City in serving the needs of existingand future residents, visitors, and the wider metropolitan context. Theobjectives are:

to investigate the need for a City Gardento investigate a possible Model for the City Gardento investigate possible sitesto identify possible funding sourcesto identify possible partnershipsto identify the way forward

Passive Recreation in Penrith Parks

Sporting Facilities, Jamison Park

Skate Boarding, Jamison Park





1.3 Study Methodology1.3.1 Team A multi-disciplinary Consultant Team, highly skilled and experiencedcomprising;

Context Landscape Design

Oi ChoongProfessor Helen ArmstrongUyen BuiVictoria Peet

Project Coordination and ManagementComparative Analysis of City GardensSite FeasibilityModel, City Garden Concept PlanFunding Partnerships

Conybeare Morrison (CM+)

Judith Rintoul Cultural HeritageUrban DesignModel City Garden Concept Plan

Stratcorp Consulting

Richard Simon Recreational Planning

HillPDA

Dr Garrick Small Economists and Valuers

The members of this Team share a commitment to achieving the

highest standards of urban and landscape design, providing sustainableeconomic, social and environmental solutions, and addressing bothclient and community needs.

1.3.2 ProcessThe process follows the City Garden Brief by:

City GardenIdentify opportunities based on best practice design Assessing opportunities and constraints and potential fundingsources for the long term operation of the City GardenEmbracing design initiatives that incorporate sustainability andOUT &

ABOUT in PENRITH Study on cultural barriers in open space.The garden model is proposed to incorporate a number of social, culturaland environmental considerations, including;

Art Installation, Glenmore Park

Boundary Trees, Boronia Park

Transition from rural to urban

High Street, Penrith





Revealing Local Identity In an era of globalisation, local identity has become increasinglyimportant. A City Garden can reinforce local identity associated with thenatural and cultural landscape of Penrith. It has the potential to providewide appeal by embracing its indigenous and pioneering past with thevitality promised by its multi-cultural future.

Exploring the Future

and educational landscapes. City Gardens today can respond to the

potential impact of climate change and demonstrate the latest forms of environmental technology and sustainability in an artful way. This studyhighlights how core sustainability principles and water-wise design canbe embedded into the Garden vision and how a ‘clever country’ canaddress its enduring landscape future.

Penrith Open Space in a Regional Context

The Penrith City Garden can form the nucleus of a green web of openspace within the parameters of an urban growth centre and its region,sites for Penrith City’s “Green Trail”.

The City Garden as Best Practice Universal DesignPenrith City is a leader in promoting Universal Design in its open spaceplanning. The City Garden would reinforce Penrith City’s leadership inworld class sustainable recreation and leisure facilities appealing to allage and cultural groups.

Millennium Park, Chicago

Local Park, Cranbrook

Universal Design, Oizumi RyokuchiPark, Japan

Out & About in Penrith, Children’s Map





Thematic Gardens in the City The City Garden can provide a number of thematic gardensincludingUrban water gardenIndigenous plant gardenThe cultural landscape historical gardenReviving horticultural and agricultural traditions garden A garden for climate change

Elevation of the Soul

Living in a 21st century city requires special spaces for spiritualityincluding mandalas, mazes, and labyrinths. The City Garden could bea place where the spiritual and sensory experiences of sight, sound,smell and touch are heightened thus inviting repeated visits. The gardenincreasingly dense cities.

The City Garden as Art Space Art as Social Space. A City Garden could be a delightful venue for ephemeral art displays that explore particular themes associated withlocal history, sustainability or simply the notion of play.

1.4 Consulting the CommunityPenrith has a diverse community. Different groups in the communityhave varying interests and aspirations for a City Garden. A half-dayworkshop was held with community representatives, stakeholders, andartists to explore their responses to three speculative scenarios for the

Art in the landscape, Charles Jencks

‘River Quiver’: ephemeral art,children’s water creature

‘Unbounded’: Installation art in the garden





City Garden. This was followed by a half-day workshop with Penrith Cityplanners to discuss community concerns and opportunities.

1.5 Background Studies

The following studies were reviewed. Those of particular relevance to apossible city garden are summarised in Section 2.3.

PLANS Report (2004)Penrith City Open Space Action Plan (2007)Penrith City draft District Open Space Facilities DevelopmentContributions Plan

Penrith City Sustainability Blueprint for urban release areas(2005)Sustainable Penrith Sustainable Garden initiatives information(2007)Plan 2005Penrith Biodiversity StrategyDraft Penrith Integrated Transport and Land Use Study 2007(currently nearing completion)Local Environmental Plans & Development Control Plan applicableto infrastructure issues in Penrith CityPenrith City 2005-2009 Strategic Plan andPenrith City 2006-2007 Draft Management PlanStatePlan/.aspxPenrith City Council Forecast. IDPenrith City Centre StrategySt Mary’s Town Centre StrategyPenrith City Centre draft Vision/LEP/DCP/Civic ImprovementsPlanSocial Planning FrameworkCultural Planning FrameworkDraft Public Art PolicyRiverlink Project Study

observations and feedback from participants in workshops. Additionalsurveys were not undertaken for this study. Expert input was limited tothe study team. The study was undertaken over 20 weeks.

1.7 AcknowledgementsThe preparation of this report has involved assistance and consultationwith numerous people. Thanks to the following for insight and guidance:Dr David J.Collins for his research and insights for botanically themed

Think Tank participants

Exploring the Garden of the FutureGarden

Ideas for the Garden of the Future

Penrith City planners workshop





2.0 PENRITH BACKGROUND

2.1 History

The Aboriginal people lived on the western edge of the Plain for over 30,000 years. By 1789, a few settlers had spread westward along theCumberland Plain and began clearing the land to establish farms;most of the land grants occurring around 1821. A government farmwas established at Emu Plains in 1819 and by the 1840’s some larger estates were being established in the Mulgoa Valley. The impact of white settlement on Aboriginal land reveals both active resistance andattempts at negotiation with different governors by Aborigines.

Drought and depression slowed the settlement until 1863 when therailway reached Penrith. This was followed by a period of expansion andconsolidation with some industrial development at St Marys.

Penrith continued as a quiet rural town surrounded by orchards,vegetable production for the Sydney markets.

The rural landscape and the easy access to the Nepean River attractedmany day-trippers and weekend stays at local guesthouses. This

becoming a city in 1959. This growth was driven by industrialdevelopment at St Marys and the expansion of the sand and gravel

As well, by the 1960’s developers were opening broad-acre estatesand the government was establishing public housing areas. By 1971,expansion. Growth has continued with the 2006 Sydney MetropolitanStrategy designating Penrith as one of three river cities within sevenregional cities.

Orchards beside Nepean River n.d. c.1870ssource: www.nepeanhistoricalsociety.org.au

City Library, Photo Collection.©

Llandilo Hall

New Housing Estates on Old Vineyard





2.2. Natural and Cultural Landscape:

Geology

Triassic sandstone and shale strata of the Sydney Basin, warped into aRiver. Tertiary Aeolian sand dunes occur to the north at Agnes Banks.

Topography

the Nepean River. Hills rise to the south and the plain is dissected by

Soils

Deep alluvial beds of sand and gravel interlaced with clays derived fromshales

Vegetation

Remnants persist of the grass plains and woodlands of grey box, forestred gum and narrow-leafed ironbark which were characteristic of thewestern edge of the Cumberland Plain. Remnants also exist of thedenser forest at the river edge, the ironbarks being replaced by cabbagegum, river oak and occasional tall Deane’s gum. To the north of Penrith,at Agnes Banks, ancient sand-dunes support unusual stands of Banksiaspp. The two major creek lines support she-oaks and paperbarks.

Cultivated Landscape

There are still some market gardens and orchards plus pasturesurrounding and threading through Penrith City, particularly in thenorth-west and south-west. Until recently, a number of vineyards werefound on hillsides, most of which are now new housing estates. Therehas been a policy of extensive indigenous tree planting along drainagereserves and roadsides which has resulted in a distinctive landscapecharacter.

Though the detail of the landscape has been drastically changed over

the past two hundred years, the major elements of Penrith’s distinctivetopography, the undulating country leading down to the river, the gravelbed of the Nepean itself, the presence of the great warp of the BlueMountains with its ridges and valleys beyond covered in indigenousforests, continue to reinforce the identity of the urban areas of the City of Penrith providing drama and atmosphere to its surrounding landscape.

Cumberland Plain, Remnant Vegetation

Former Pasture, Penrith

Chinese Market Garden, PenrithRural Land on Flood Plain Sandstone cliffs,

Blue MountainsEucalyptus Forest, Nepean





2.3 Current and Future Physical Planning Strategies

Open Space Action Plan (2007) Council’s 2004 PLANS (People’s Lifestyle Aspirations and Needs Study)space and facilities through a focus on quality open space experiencesfor different age groups and interests, and states that “Development of open space land will be in accordance with universal design principlesand standards” (p9).

Disability Action Plan (2003-2006)

in 2002 of accessibility issues across Penrith, discrimination withinCouncil and Community, and makes suggested solutions, with inclusionof user groups in design a key theme.

City Centre Vision (2008) - developed as part of the Planning Ministry’sCities Task Force. It articulates a vision of Penrith City Centre thatincludes enhanced pedestrian orientation, greater connections betweendifferent shopping and business precincts, and between these and thewater to reinforce the river city. Creating a recreational link between thesquare will provide a major civic focus.

Local Environmental Plan, 2008 (LEP)use and potential development of both built and natural environment;including design standards and values for these.

Development Control Plan, 2007 (DCP) - complements the LocalEnvironmental Plan (LEP) and gives more detailed design parametersfor new development in the city centre.

Civic Improvement Plan (CIP) - relevant to this research, the CIPfocusses on design strategies for the public domain and special cityprojects, including various civic centre and park refurbishments anddevelopments.

Design Excellence Guidelines for City Centres (2007)City Centre LED, focusing on guidelines for Design Competitions.

The Great River WalkBay to the Southern Highlands, includes the full length of the Nepean-Hawkesbury River. Penrith City Council is concentrating initially on thefunded by the State Government’s Metropolitan Greenspace Program

Riverlink (2008)

sites and a number of smaller holdings. The precinct has a highlythe Nepean River, to the south by the M4 and to the north by the rail-

Open Space, Tench Reserve

Children’s Playground, Tench Reserve

Civic Improvement, City Centre

Riverlink Precinct aerial





permeable access and a clear and legible public domain. It also seeks

2.4 Current and Changing population trends

Key demographic data for the City of Penrith were obtained from thereports:

Penrith City: Population and Household Forecasts, id Consulting(2007).

The current estimated population of Penrith City is 177,000 people(2008). In 2006, the population was 172,142, marginally down on the2006 compared to the Sydney Statistical Division (SSD) shows thatthere was a larger proportion of people in the younger age groups (0 to17) but a smaller proportion of people in the older age groups (60+). Thedetailed analysis of the age structure is supplied in Appendix A.

Population Characteristics

Country of Birth

Penrith City has a higher proportion of residents born in Australia(73.8%) when compared to the SSD (60.4%). Overall, 20.5% of the

population was born overseas (compared to 31.7% for the SSD), and12.5% were from a non-English speaking background (23.9% for the





Household Income Analysis of the distribution of households by income quartile in PenrithCity compared to the SSD shows that there is a smaller proportionof households in the highest income quartile, as well as a smaller proportion in the lowest income quartile.

in the lowest quartile which showed an increase of 21.0% households.

Education

Of persons in Penrith City aged over 15 years in 2006, there was arespectively for the SSD.between 2001 and 2006 were:

(+10.5%)

Household TypeThe combined proportion of couple families and one parent families inPenrith City is 70.2%, which is higher than for the SSD (64.9%), andwhich has increased since 2001(65.5%). Conversely, the proportion of lone person households in 2006 is 18.0%, which is lower than the SSDaverage at 21.8%, but higher than 2001 at 16%.





Population Projections

The current estimated population for Penrith City of 177,000 is projectedto grow by an estimated 33,000 people by 2021 and by an additional50,000 to 2031. Further details are provided in Appendix A.

Visitation Issues The ABS commissioned survey titled, Attendanceat Selected Cultural Venues & Events provides valuable data on thebasic demographic characteristics of those who attend selected venuesand events, including botanic gardens. The survey was undertakenpreviously in 1991, 1995, 1999, 2001 and 2005, enabling trends and

feasibility of establishing a City Garden within the City of Penrith.

People aged over 15 years who visit botanic gardens are typically:femaleborn overseas in the mainly English-speaking countriesemployedin the highest household income quintilefamily-oriented

indicates there was a fall in annual visitations of 3.7% from 2000 to 2006.Visitations drew heavily from the local catchment area, with around80% of visitors coming from the outer Sydney region and a total of 95%much higher visitation levels (80% of all visits) than week days (20%).Just under half of all visitors in 2006 were aged over 55 years and theelements that visitors most liked in the Gardens were Australian plantsand the physical beauty.

3.2 and Appendix H) are the basis upon which a preliminary assessment

of need and demand for a Penrith City Garden have been made.

a botanic garden. Nevertheless, the large population of Penrith City,combined with the population of the balance of the outer region of Sydney, suggests that a reasonable level of annual visitations couldbe expected to occur at any new Penrith City Gardens assuming it hassome characteristics, attractions and community appeal similar to abotanic garden.

Based on the assessment, it is evident there would be some feasibility

risk to Council in establishing a City Garden, if: residents.If the design, management and programming of the City Garden

Mt Annan Botanic Gardens, Camden

Visitors enjoying Mt Annan BotanicGardens

Botanical Display, Mt Annan BotanicGardens





were based on the typical model of a botanic garden. Insteaddemands with the emphasis on sustaining the quality of the CityGarden, should be a priority. This could also include the introductionof unique recreation and cultural experiences and creativeprogramming establishing a point of difference and could result inan increased catchment and target population for the Penrith CityGarden.

2.5 Current Open Space Provisions and Recreation Trends

2.5.1 Open Space Provisions in PenrithPenrith City Council manages 1,206 hectares of open space, comprising:

328 hectares of parks,199 hectares of community land for drainage and community uses,153 hectares of natural areas, and151 hectares of land where Council has care, control andmanagement

In all, there are 540 separate parks and reserves throughout the City and141 of these parks contain playgrounds.

In relation to the overall quantity of publicly accessible open spacewithin the City of Penrith, the existing provision of open space isadequate when compared to recognised industry standards. (Currentstandard of 2.83). Further, when the data is broken down to assess thefacilities) and “passive” open space across the City, the results showthat the provision for both categories is also adequate. The provision of “passive” open space areas between new and old areas does not showthe same discrepancy.

District Park, Jamison Park, Penrith

Neighbourhood Park, St Clair

Local Park, Cranbrook

Drainage Reserve, Parker St Reserve,Cranbrook

Lake, Neighbourhood Park, Glenmore Park





A key outcome from the research conducted during PLANS (2004)space areas that provide for a range of experiences for different age Aspirations Survey” undertaking as part of the PLANS, include:

Access to parks and open space was rated by new residents asthe 3rd most important facility/service when choosing a place of residence.Participation in passive recreation (e.g. walking, picnicking, and

socialising) was by far the most popular recreation activity for residents (77%),and compares with 26% of people who nominatedorganised sport.Over 70% of residents ranked the need for parks to be improved aseither “very important” or “somewhat important”.

quality open space as part of new developments coming on-stream inthe future. The proposed City Garden is another option by which Councilcan respond to the community need to provide high quality park environsof a size equal to or greater than the ‘District Park’ category, see below.

The Open Space Action Plan divides the Council area into twelveclusters of suburbs and categorises the open space areas as

District Park - greater than 5 hectares, with a wide range of recreational experiences and facilities for locals and visitors, withcar parking, toilets and change rooms, BBQs and picnic furniture,lighting, landscaped areas, shade and universally designedplayground systems.Neighbourhood Park - up to 5 hectares in area, with several of thesame facilities as a district park, including standard toilets, it typicallyLocal Park - from 0.5 to 3 hectares in area, serving a suburban area

up to 2km in radius; typically with on street parking, landscaping,natural shade, park benches and seating, and a playground area.Pocket Park - between 0.25 and 1 hectare in area, and caters for local residents within a 5 minute walk with facilities that includenatural surface and shade areas, sometimes seating, informal playand passive recreation areas, and perhaps play equipment.Linear Park / Drainage Reserves provide pathway and cycleway access, space for passive play /recreation, and sometimes basic exercise equipment.Natural Areas (Council owned) and encouraging community appreciation and awareness. May

include pathways, basic picnic facilities (seating and shelters) andplaygrounds. There is potential to strengthen relationships anduse aspects of current open space categories for a City Garden asshown in the following Diagram 2.5.

1.

2.

3.

Community Planting, Jamison Park

Boronia Park, Ropes Crossing





PENRITH LAKES• Wetlands

• Rowing• Entertainment

• Beach• Island

RIVERLINK• River Walk & Park

• Jetty

• Entertainment Precinct

DISTRICT PARKS• Waterbodies

• Children’s Play• Sports Fields

PENRITH REGIONAL

CITY GARDENS

PENRITH CITY CENTRE• Showground

• City Park

NATURE RESERVE &DRAINAGE LINES

• Creek Lines

• Bike Paths

Diagram 2.5 Relationship between Penrith Regional City Garden and Existing Open SpaceFacilities

2.5.2 Current Recreation Trends

over 15 years was 5.7% higher in 2005 (83.5%) than 2001 (77.8%).non-sporting activities of walking and recreational cycling increasedby 9.8% and 1.0%, respectively between 2001 and 2005.

Other general trends includeThere appears to be a link between the higher expectations of people in relation to the quality of services and experiences, and thepropensity by people to pay for a quality experience.The provision of recreation opportunities for people with specialneeds and for people from diverse communities (inclusiveness) isimproving, in relation to both facilities and services. Future recreation

trends are discussed in Section 4.2.

Penrith’s increasing population and residential density as a regionalcity will require more recreational open space of a different character tohigh quality open space areas that provide a range of experiences for different groups and interests. These issues could be addressed in anumber of ways including a City Garden.The following section exploresexamples which can inform a possible regional city garden.










3.0 INFORMING THE CONCEPT

There are timely opportunities for Penrith to develop a regionalrecreational space in association with two major private sector interests;Penrith Panthers and Penrith Lakes. Such opportunities allow for innovation in environmental, recreational and cultural designs. Thissection describes and evaluates national and international modelsassociated with gardens in cities, seen as successful and innovativeexemplars for best practice design.

3.1 Overview of International and National Gardens

An overview of innovative City and Botanic Gardens shows that a range

of possible gardens can inform the model for Penrith, including aridclimate gardens, revitalised city centre gardens in Scandinavia, new citygardens in Germany, universal design sensory gardens in Japan, andchildren focused gardens in the United States. The gardens reviewedinclude

Botanic Gardens: Australian, Israel, South Africa, UnitedStates, Britain, Singapore, FranceNew Urban Gardens: Europe, China, North AmericaNew Universal Design Gardens: Japan, Manchester, Jerusalem,IndianaGardens for Special Groups (children, elderly etc): Denmark,Chicago, New York

Mandai Gardens, Singapore

Rice Growing Shenyang ArchitecturalUniversity, China

Harvesting Rice Shenyang ArchitecturalUniversity, ChinaNew Bastide Garden, Bordeaux Botanic Garden, France





Auburn Botanic Garden

Aerial View, Mt Penang Parklands

Birrarung Marr, Melbourne, Axis to City

Birrarung Marr, Melbourne, AustralianPlants

3.2 Current Australian Examples

3.2.1 Botanic GardensBotanic gardens are traditional examples of gardens in the city. Theyare places where visitors come for a host of reasons including peace,relaxation, entertainment, recreation, education, botany and horticulture.

Most major botanic gardens have educational facilities and programmesfor school students, teachers and the wider community to inform peopleabout horticulture and landscaping, plants and biological communities,and raise community awareness about biodiversity and plant

conservation.

Evaluation: A review of national horticultural, botanical and recreationgardens, such as Auburn Botanic Gardens, Mt Penang Parklands,Orange Botanic Gardens, and Cranbourne Botanic Gardens, Victoriaindicates that despite offering a range of facilities, they have mixedvisitation success and that all rely on continued funding. Appendices Cand H provide detailed analyses and evaluations of these gardens.





3.2.2 New City Parks

Melbourne’s new city park, Birrarung Marr, located alongside the YarraRiver, provides popular grassed open spaces, sculptured terraces,dramatic Australian plant designs, and a state-of-the-art playground.

Brisbane has two recent city parks, Roma Street Parklands and the up-graded Southbank Parklands. Opened in 2001, Roma Street Parklandsincludes a Celebration Lawn, which can hold 8000 people, the Forestwith walks past wetlands, a Panadus headland and paper bark forests.

The Upper Parkland has an amphitheatre which occasionally holdssmall concerts and events. Various artworks are scattered around theparklands.South Bank Parklands are located on the southern bank of the BrisbaneRiver, directly opposite the CBD. Connected to the city centre by twobridges, the area is readily accessible. It includes a swimming lagoonwith sandy beaches, a long sinuous arbour, rainforest walks, picnic areasand an attractive riverfront promenade. Recently a children’s water playarea, Aquativity, has been opened.Evaluation: Brisbane’s new city parks indicate that water features suchhighly popular with local residents and tourists. The strong and legiblepedestrian links to the CBD facilitate high visitation. This is augmentedby a successful events programme for both parks.

PlantDesign

AustralianPlants

Connectionto CBD

MaintenanceRequire-ments

Public A rt Popularity

BirrarungMarr

RomaStreetParklands

South-bankParklands

Table 3.1 Rating Criteria relevant to Penrith City Garden

Good Very Good Excellent Outstanding

Southbank Brisbane, City Beach

Southbank Brisbane RiversidePromenade

Lake and New Urban Edge, RomaStreet Parklands

Events and Activities Roma St Parklands

Roma Street Parklands, Axis to City





3.3 Contemporary Design Initiatives and Best Practice

3.3.1 City Garden Design Initiatives

New city gardens are emerging in the reinvigorated city centres of former industrial cities such as Manchester, UK. Linked with urbanredevelopment, they provide image and branding for the current conceptof Creative Cities.

Current best practice design explores advanced levels of environmental

sustainability, including innovative designs for water management, newways to integrate parks and gardens into city buildings, energy gardens

and a range of design criteria that address climate change.

Innovative glasshouses feature in a number of gardens ranging fromthe huge structure for the Eden project, the extensive dome for theInternational Gardens in Saudi Arabia. In contrast the small city centreglasshouse in Malmo Sweden provides an urban retreat from the harshclimate. A particularly delightful use of glasshouses is in the Parc AndreCitroën in Paris. This park is an urban haven that celebrates plantsthrough a series of small glasshouses associated with themed gardens,as well as two large glasshouses on one side of a large central lawn.

King Abdullah Garden, Glasshouses

King Abdullah Garden, Plan

City Glasshouse, Malmo Sweden

Detail, Glasshouse, Malmo Sweden

Small Glasshouses, Parc Andre Citroen

Paris

Large Glasshouses, Parc Andre CitroenParis





Increasingly Vertical Gardens or Living Walls are becoming attractiveurban features in Paris, Tokyo, London, the Netherlands, etc. Pioneeredby Patrick Blanc, the walls are lightweight and can cover extensiveareas. The Acros Building, Fukuoka, Japan, designed by Emilio Ambasz, doubles the green area of a city park by continuing the park upone side of the multi-storey building as a series of connected terraces.

Acros Building Fukuoka, Japan

Roof Garden, Michael Valkenburg, US

Toyota Roof Garden, US

Vertical Garden, Patrick Blanc

Marches des Halles, Avignon, PatrickBlanc





Design competitions have been held for two unusual new city gardensin North America, ‘Highline’ in New York City and ‘Downsview Park’ inToronto. A review of the range of design initiatives in the competitionentries shows that there are inventive concepts for sustainable parks inthe city from the conversion of an elevated urban railway in NYC into aprogramme of diverse gardens, including urban water management anda recreational beach to the concept of sequencing a forested tree city

There are some innovative designs for urban connections with

surrounding agricultural land. China has developed some inventivegardens that include active agriculture (rice cultivation) as well asenvironmental remediation of damaged riverfronts. There is also acomplex urban park in Berlin, Gleisdreick Park, that incorporatescultivation.

The new Bastide Garden in Bordeaux Botanic Garden explores linkswith agriculture and environment. The design is concerned with change,space, the two main areas, The Environment Gallery and the Fieldof Crops, are dynamic and changing. For further details on DesignInitiatives, see Appendix F: Garden Research

Urban Beach, Highline NYC

Community Cultivation Gleisdreick Park,Berlin

New Bastide Garden, Bordeaux BotanicGardens

Agricultural Beds, Bordeaux BotanicGardens

Community Play, Gleisdreick Park, Berlin





3.3.2 Design Best Practice

The relevant best practice for a possible City Garden in Penrith includesnew concepts of Land-Arch, new concepts of functionality, new designmodeling, and environmental branding of localities.

Land-arch

Innovative designs are emerging in response to environmental issueswhich combine landscape and architecture in visionary yet practicalways. Examples which can inform the Penrith’s City Garden are;

structure, designed by Norman Foster, is buried within the land sothat only the glass dome is evident.Lucille Halsell Conservatory, San Antonio Botanic Gardens,designed by Emilio Ambasz is a complex of glass houses withdifferent ecosystems. Different conical and triangular shapes are theexposed skylight rooftops of the buildings which are locatedbelow grade.The New de Young Art Museum located in Golden Gate Park, SanFrancisco (by architects Herzog & de Meuron) and the Academy of Science Exhibition Building ( by Renzo Piano) are city park featureswhich explore the integration of landscape and architecture ininnovative ways. Both buildings attract world-wide visitation. A similar project, ‘The Miami Art Museum’ is currently beingdesigned as an open-air structure with a broad shading ‘green’ roof with gallery spaces slung below and suspended amid a structuralframework set above a Flood Plain. The broad roof will permitincremental additions over time without further affecting the parksetting. The natural elements of the Park are penetrating the ArtMuseum, creating an ‘outdoor interior’.

attractant possibly comprising an Environmental Education Centre, aFunction and Exhibition Space and a Cafe/Restaurant.

Gardens

Land Arch, San Antonio BotanicGardens

Californian Academy of Science Exhibi-tion Building, San Francisco

De Young Museum, San Francisco





3.3.2.2 New functionality Landscapes which act as ‘Soft Systems’ are increasingly part of the citylandscape, including

urban water features that undertake water treatment,phyto-remediation and ruderal growth on derelict sites,energy harvesting,green roofs and walls,designed landscapes that accommodate climate change byemploying increasingly sophisticated use of rain water to address

Green Roof ALSA

Design for Ruderal Garden, Malmo

Treatment

Solar Park, Regensburg

Solar Fields, Spain

Phyto-remediation Field





3.3.2.3. New Design Modeling Designing for complex urban spaces requires new tools. Computer innovative matrices have been used in developing designs for parkswith complex sites and programmes. New green matrices are designedto calibrate relationships between parameters in a dynamic fashionallowing for multiple perspectives, scales and types so that the park canbe more than a static collection of items.

proposed by the British designers, Meta-gardens, in particular their concepts for the use of roofs as ‘evoterraria’.

Digital Future Garden

New design Modelling Fluid Forms

Green Matrix, datascape, MVRDV

Metagarden, ‘Evoterraria’

Seasonscape, IBA, Germany





3.3.4 Ephemeral Installation/EventsIn Europe temporary exhibitions and events associated withinterpretation of environmental stewardship are animating new parks.Chaumont-sur-Loire in France is an outstanding example of a GardenFestival that uses annual or biennial temporary art interventions toexplore environmental and cultural issues.

3.3.4.1 New Parks for Growth CentresMany of the new urban parks in growth centres tend to be uni-dimensional and bland. In response there has been a call for moredimensions, more layers and more meanings to be incorporated into thedesign of new city parks. Rather than simulated pastoralism or Beaux

with strong programmes, building on the Paris examples developed for rehabilitating former industrial sites, such Parc de la Villette.

‘Knowledge’, Art Installation, Chaumont

Flexible Follies, Parc de la Villette

Programme, Parc de la Villette, Paris

‘Mint’, Art Installation, Chaumont ‘Gaspacho’, Art Installation, Chaumont





3.4 Environmental Sustainability Opportunities

3.4.1 Ecological Design and Citizen Engagement

A city garden is a hybrid between culture and nature. Ecological designcan be a form of engaged learning to assist communities to exploreand model environments in order to make informed choices. TheToronto based environmental group, Evergreen, is an example of howgardening workshops and demonstration gardens with leading-edgegreen technology can connect culture, nature and community in thecity. Similarly, Paris Nature is an innovative urban ecology organizationthat aims to develop ‘eco-citizens’ through a range eco-gardens and

facilities threaded throughout Paris. Both programmes employ designedecology which is managed to provide aesthetic, educational, and spiritualengagement.

Citizen Forests, ‘Downsview’, Toronto

Citizen Engagement, Hamburg

New Community Farming, Hamburg







3.4.2 Resilience and Legibility Using the principles of Eco-urbanism, particularly being open-ended,complex and subject to dynamic change, needs a resilient city gardenwhich has the ability to recover and adjust to change. As such, the cityorganizational systems and logic that enables it to absorb and facilitatechange yet maintain its design integrity. It should be legible so that thedesign is understood in its intentions and identity. A resilient city gardenwould accommodate the tension between

Design and management

Constancy and changePredictability and unpredictability

Eco-urbanism, IBA, Osterfeld

Guerilla Farming, Chicago

Designed Resilience under Motorway

Community Resilience under Motorway,Zaanstadt





3.4.3 Environmental Branding

Environmental branding has the potential to explore funding and engagecommunity support. Two such examples are Green Square in Sydneywhich markets its urban water management image and Blacktown whichprojects until 2012.

The city garden has the potential to promote environmental brandingfor Penrith as a sustainable city. This branding could build on the manyinitiatives already undertaken under Penrith’s Principles for a Sustainable

City.

Solar Forms





3.4.4 Environmental Innovations

There are an increasing number of sustainability innovations that can beconsidered for a potential city garden such as;

Underground structures associated with contoured land-forms thatcan merge and punctuate with buildings and infrastructureLiving roofs and living walls which reduce heat islands, reducerunoff, reduce CO2 and insulate buildingsgreen, often integrating urban water treatment into recreationalopen space. Some cities now use their innovative water treatment

initiatives for ecological education and tourism.Sustainable energy designs that include appropriate orientation,natural ventilation, suitable insulation, solar voltaic cells, sun-shadingdevices, wind generators, thermal storage units. These tend tobe related to buildings but similar innovations are also possible for urban space.Innovative recycling of materials.Biodiversity innovations that go beyond protecting habitats bydeveloping new landscapes that foster divecomplexity. This helps species become less fragile.Climate Change: innovations related to climate change includeand minimize the use of fossil fuels.

Green Roof, Japan

Contoured Land Over Building

Underground House, Mt Macedon

Square

Possibilities for Climate Change

Temporary designs for climate change





3.5 Education Initiatives

3.5.1 Demonstration

The important education role of the gardens can be facilitated ina number of ways including:

Demonstration gardens,particularly showcasingenvironmental researchGarden programmes andevents

3.5.2 Interpretation

The Australian National BotanicGardens provides ten conceptualcategories or “typologies” for interpretation of the role of theGardens through public art.These are explained in AppendixD.

Demonstration Garden, NYC

Children’s Garden, NYC

Learning through Growing, NYC

Interpretative Art in the Garden Plant Art by Burle Marx

Land Art in the GardenDiscovered Art in the Garden





3.5.3 Research

Sydney can inform the new interest in urban agriculture and thepotential role a city garden can play.landscape, the garden can augment the invaluable plant heritageundertaken by the Seed Savers organisation.

Strawberries, Urban Agriculture

Cultural Heritage of Seeds

Seed Savers

‘Stacked Nature’ MVDV

Plant Heritage





3.6 Universal Design Initiatives

3.6.1 Design Principles

A review of the principles of Universal Design, including the newresearch on cultural inclusion (see Appendix B), provides some keycriteria for the model of the city garden. The following table summarisesthe design principles.

Universal Design Principles Cultural Dimensions

Equitable UseThis design is useful and marketableto people with diverse abilities

Non-exclusiveThe designed environment doesnot offend cultural sensitivitiesor exclude different cultures or cultural activities.

Flexibility in UseThe design accommodates a widerange of individual preferences andabilities.

Accommodates DiversityThe designed environmentaccommodates a range of cultures and cultural activities

Simple and Intuitive UseUse of the design is easy tounderstand, regardless of the user’sexperience, knowledge, languageskills, or current concentration level.

UnderstandableThe designed environment iseasy to understand, regardlessof the user’s experience,knowledge, language skills

Perceptible InformationThe design communicatesnecessary information effectivelyto the user, regardless of ambientconditions or the user’s sensoryabilities

Legible and EmpathicThe designed environmentis legible and communicatednecessary multilingual and non-linguistic information effectivelyto the user, including empathy

Tolerance for Error The design minimises hazardsand the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions

SafeThe designed environmentminimises anti-social or criminalacts and promotes sociableinteractions between differentgroups, and/or provides

opportunities for mutualavoidance

Low Physical Effortand comfortable and with a minimumof fatigue

ComfortablePeople feel welcome and freeto use the space, and do nothave to work hard emotionallyor socially to feel at ease there.

Size and Space for Approach anduse Appropriate size and space isprovided for approach, reach,manipulation, and use regardless

of user’s body size, posture, andmobility

ConvenientIt is easy for people of differentcultures and subcultures topursue their desired activitiesthere.

Table 3.1: Universal Design Principles and Cultural Translations

Source: Out and About in Penrith Project, PCC &UWS.

Universal Design for Amphitheartre,

Garden of the Senses, Denmark

Horticultural Therapy Garden, Victoria

Universal Design, Lake in OizumiRyokuchi Park, Japan





3.6.2 Sensory GardensSensory experiences within parks and gardens are associated with theconcept of Universal Design. The Sensory and Interactive Garden inDarlington, UK contains a series of galleries highlighting the four senses.The Ramat Hanadiv Memorial Gardens in Israel use fragrance gardensas a form of horticultural therapy. Sensory garden experiences arealso relevant to the elevation of the soul in 21st century cities. Theseexperiences can be facilitated by the following elements

lightness and densitysolid and void

texture and rhythmoverlap and transparencytouch, smell, warmth, shade, breezes

Tactile Ceramic Tiles, Japan

Fragrance Garden in the Ramat HanadivMemorial Gardens

Colours and Textures, Sensory Garden,Japan





3.7 Programming Initiatives

From the research it is clear that successful public gardens around theworld have a focus on diverse and changing programmes. A key to thesuccess of Penrith’s proposed city garden will be the way in which itincorporates stimulating programmes and activities. The OUT & ABOUTProject in Penrith highlights the importance of the concept of ‘park asevent’ (Appendix B). A review of successful current programmes in-dicates the importance of knowledge and dissemination activities andephemeral art. The following are a number of programme possibilitiesfor the city garden,

Garden festivalsEducation workshopsHorticultural displays Annual and biennial eventsMagnetic places programme Art as Social Space, Artist in ResidenceVisitors Centre with interactive digital programmes such ascommunity stories, seed savers, green streets etc,Garden as library with outdoor wirelessChanging thematic gardensMarketsOutdoor cinemaMusic and DancingOutdoor Exercise Programme including Tai Chi

Farmers’ Markets, Hawkesbury Harvest

Changing Horticultural Displays

Artist in Residence

Movies in the ParkTai Chi in the Park





Garden as Library

Dancing in the Plaza





4.0 KEY ISSUES

4.1 Current Penrith Issues

City Environs OpportunitiesPenrith has the largest river of the three River Cities in SydneyPenrith sits within an outstanding natural environment at the nexusPenrith has extensive open space including the emerging PenrithLakes.The environs provide river and bush as recreation spaces.

Social and Cultural MattersPenrith is the driest and hottest part of Sydney.There are asthma, allergies and air pollution concerns.Site accessibility and transport are important issues.Penrith is increasingly diverse culturally with different values andways of using park and open space.

4.2 Future Recreational Styles and Facilities

The following recreational trends are noted,disposable income of the baby boom generation is one of the mostand adolescents associated with increasing concern about obesity.There are changes in ethnic diversity and population growth inimmigrant communities who are family-based with children, butwhose recreational interests and needs are different than thetraditional programs.Global warming will impact outdoor recreation where warm weather activities last longer and cold weather activities will be shorter.Limited spare time and the fact that households are generallybusier with work and home life responsibilities are increasing trendspointing to “time deepening” where activities that take less time are

selected, multi-tasking, and scheduling leisure activities within verytight timelines.non-traditional/new leisure patterns. An increasing number of singleparent families are visiting recreation sites.increased demand for recreational opportunities, including after school and summer programs.Increased urbanization indicates that urban residents are more likelyto participate in activities utilizing specialised facilities, such as cityparks and recreational facilities.The increasing trend towards ‘cocooning’ where people remain

indoors using media recreation is also evident in a recent interest inhome gardening.

Nepean River Setting

Creek

Fitness in the Park

Multi-tasking





4.3 Linking with the Local Regional Open Space Network

The Penrith City Garden can form the nucleus of a green web of openspace within the parameters of an urban growth centre and its region,. It canalso provide a link with the Blue Mountains National Park and Mt TomahBotanic Gardens. Such linkages will draw people to the city gardensfrom a wide region and there will be environmental and recreational

4.4 Identifying Niche Opportunities in Penrith

There are a number of niche opportunities for a city garden in Penrith.The garden as an image which can be used to promote the region asa ‘soft location factor’ for economic development,The particular location of Penrith which acts as a gateway to thewhich provides interpretative opportunities for a city garden,The unusual environment of river, mountains and plains whichprovides unique opportunities to observe and interpret the effect of climate change within the gardens,The niche opportunity to showcase Penrith City Council’s pioneeringwork on Universal Design in public open space,The heritage of productive rural lands close to the city providesopportunities to address food miles and develop innovative urbanagriculture which can be showcased in a city gardenPromoting the image of Penrith as a water city in the west providingcooling water recreation and children’s water play

4.5 Providing Leadership in Sustainability

Sustainability should be in the forefront of the City Garden. Because of are within international, national and local contexts. The City Gardenshould seek to obtain a high ranking under the Sustainable SitesInitiative, see below.

4.5.1 Core Sustainability Indicators

International: Environmental Performance Index (2008)

Commission’s 2008 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) focuses onenvironmental outcomes within two broad objectives:

reducing environmental stresses on human health, andpromoting ecosystem vitality and sound natural resourcemanagement.

Australian Government Core Environmental Indicators

The following indicators have been taken from the National State of the

Environment report. Indicators includeClimate Variability

Indicators focus mainly on the comparatively high variability of Australia’sclimate, which is important in its own right, regardless of any possiblehuman effects on the climate.

Regional link to Mt Tomah BotanicGardens

Soft Location Factor for economicDevelopment

Gateway to tourist destinations in theBlue Mountains

Opportunities with Rural Lands





Enhanced Greenhouse Effect Indicator relate to implementing the National Greenhouse Strategy re-sponse measures.

Stratospheric Ozone

Indicators relate to the concentration of ozone depleting substances inthe atmosphere

Outdoor Air Quality

Indicators relate to ambient air quality and the concentration of pollutantsthat are harmful to human health.

Biodiversity

Indicators consider ecosystem diversity, species diversity, and geneticdiversity.Land Use and Management

Human Settlement

Core Environmental Sustainability Indicators for Penrith City

Garden

Building on the existing ‘ESD criteria for Penrith City Council’sCommunity Facilities’, the following indicators are suggested for the CityGarden

Bring sustainability to the forefront of Penrith concerns.Demonstrate the research and learning for schools and publicparticipation.Reduce carbon emissions.Reduce ecological footprints and reserve major areas of fertile soilareas for future use.Protect native habitats and restore the aquifer system of the riversand wetlands.Use minimal irrigation, prescribe harvested rainwater, waste water for recycling.

The following ESD initiatives are suggested for new structures in the

garden,Design architecture to reduce heating and cooling i.e. green roofs,walls, under ground;Minimise expectations of 25 - 27° as comfortable temperature.Use the water bodies in the area to offset heat and cooling; use nightsky cooling.Use the thermal mass of hard surfaces to offset heating needsreturn air walls.Use solar energy for hot water heating and cooling; set up a grid-connected photo-voltaic system; use wind and solar power for turbines.

Retain and reticulate the scarce water resources.Use natural or recycled materials wherever possible.Ensure high durability; consider life-style deterioration and toxicityissues in all materials.

Urbeach, Silicon Sand

Management





Sustainable Sites Initiative (2008-2011)

Sustainable Sites Initiative (2008-2011), a recent program from the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), features over 200recommendations for designing and building sustainable landscapes. Itincludes a ranking system for sustainable design.

4.6 Financial Issues

4.6.1 Financial Sustainability Principles

Use charges reduce patronage

Community expectation of public serviceCompetition for local government resources for infrastructureCompetition with other public gardensCosts associated with their management and maintenance

ratio through:

Impact on local business Amenity for visitorsImpact on land valuesGarden as employer and as purchaser of local productsOpportunities for new environmental product development

land-related venture, for example:

Increased land rate capture due to increased land valuePenrith is not yet fully developed, therefore there are futureopportunities with private sector, similar to:

Centennial Park modelMt Penang Parklands modelUS Script universities modelUS private railways model (see Appendix H)

4.6.2 Strategies for Financial Sustainability

Strategy 1: Obtain more undeveloped land than needed for thefund gardenStrategy 2: Place garden in area yet to be released and placerates to harvest land value upliftStrategy 3: Explore the Singapore model where the governmentbuys areas at market value, improves with infrastructure and thenvalues through government funded improvements are returned tothe government.

4.7 Management and Maintenance4.7.1 Management Structure

The management of the Regional City Garden provides opportunities

Opportunities with Private Sector,Glenmore Park

Potential Increase in Land Values

Financial Issues, Public Garden, MtPenang





to extend beyond Penrith City Council to various State Governmentauthorities such as the Department of Environment, National Parksmanagement partnerships locally such as Penrith Panthers consortium

Centennial Parklands management structure provides an establishedmodel of a Trust and Trustees. This is similar to the Mt Penang

Authority.

A suggested model for Penrith’s city garden is to establish a PenrithRegional City Garden consisting of relevant land-owners, Council andnominated representatives from government, education, industry, com-merce and community.

4.7.2 Maintenance of Gardens

that initial maintenance be done by Council to ensure quality control.The establishment of a Friends of Penrith’s Regional City Gardens willfacilitate some small amount of fund-raising as well as providing a poolof volunteers. Orange Botanic Gardens has a successful collaborationbetween the Council and community volunteers for the maintenanceof selected areas of the gardens. Details about the management andmaintenance of selected Botanic Gardens are supplied in section 9.3

Diligent landscape maintenance will be essential for the success of theGardens. General landscape maintenance schedules indicate the typeand frequency of maintenance recommended for parks, however the

landscape maintenance involves care of vegetation (trees, shrubs,turf), irrigation, maintenance of utilities, facilities (furniture, playgrounds,etc), paved and road areas, and signage. Appendix L: LandscapeMaintenance Guidelines indicates a typical maintenance schedule.

4.8 Partnerships

There is potential for a number of relevant partnerships for a possible





UWS Research,

The particular location of Penrith within the multiple campuses of partnerships exploring growth centre urban leisure, urban agriculture,forestry and climate change and innovative environmental sustainability.Urban Research Centre has a research programme called FeedingThere is also a relevant research programme, Hawkesbury Forest, whichcould be extended to urban forests.

University of Sydney, Plant Breeding Unit (PBI)Since 2003, the Institute has been exploring amenity horticulture. Of particular relevance to a Penrith City Garden is the recent research intonative plant breeding for the changing world climate. The PBI has alsobeen developing a suitable plant palette for green roofs in Sydney.

Hawkesbury Harvest and Farm Gate Trail

In 2000, the farmers and orchardists in the north-west of the PenrithCity joined with farmers and orchardists in the Hawkesbury to form acollaborative group, known as Hawkesbury Harvest. The community-based organisation coordinates:

Farm Gate Trail,Special Events,Hawkesbury Harvest’s Farmers & Gourmet Food Market,Industry Development (including regional branding)

There are possible partnerships with this group including showcasingtheir produce.

Penrith Panthers

and culture beyond the more traditional means of sponsorship, artistcommunity, culture and commerce in order to create high quality creative

Campement Urbain, a Paris collective, has prepared a proposal for the Penrith Panthers Club which re-envisions the Panthers within their local community. Panthers Executives have accepted the proposal asa philosophical and material foundation to a large multi million dollar Panthers expansion, Riverlink. A City Garden would be a possibleextension of this initiative.

Western Sydney Parklands

There is the potential to extend the current local governmentCouncil, to include Penrith City Council.

Sydney

Hawkesbury Harvest logo

Penrith Panthers as Partners

Muru Mittagar Aboriginal Centre





Original Penrith Lakes Concept

Penrith Lakes Regatta Centre

University of Sydney Plant Breeding Unit

Muru Mittigar Cultural Centre

The Aboriginal Community run the Muru Mittigar Cultural Centre and itsProvenance Nursery. A number of opportunities exist to work with thisgroup.

Regional Nurseries

There are a number of substantial regional plant nurseries in the north-west and the mountains who could engage in partnerships with apossible city garden in Penrith, given Penrith’s central location.

Penrith Lakes Development CorporationThe Penrith Lakes Development Corporation is responsible for thecoordinates site remediation after extraction and the redevelopment of the area.

Potential exists for a city garden site within the Lakes redevelopment.










5.0 PUBLIC CONSULTATION

Two workshops were held on 12th May 2008; one a Think Tank witha range of stakeholders including representatives of local interestgroups, artists, academics, architects and landscape architects; theparticipants is included in Appendix F.

A presentation of research and opportunities was presented to PCCCouncillors on Monday 26th May 2008.

5.1 Think Tank Workshop

5.1.1 Participants and Information PackageParticipants were given information package one week before workshopcontaining;

Principles of Universal DesignThematic HistoryBotanic Garden ExamplesCity Gardens ExamplesNew Sustainability Parks and GardensInterpretative Typologies for Australian Public GardensCore Sustainability Principles& Green Architecture Examples

Details of the information package are provided in Appendix E.

5.1.2 Workshop Themes

Participants were divided into 3 groups to explore scenarios for each of three themes

A Garden of Eden: Regional Garden at the Edge

Revealing Local Identity, Productive gardens/farms in the region,Urban AgricultureBotanical and Horticultural traditions A Diverse Community

City as Garden – Garden of Flows:

New Forms of Urban SpaceContinuous Change and Flexibility

City Garden as Art SpaceA Futurist Garden

Pioneering Environmental SustainabilityDesigning for Climate ChangeUniversal DesignElevation of the Soul

5.1.3 Summary of Outcomes

opportunities

Common Intrinsic Values

Best Practice Environmental SustainabilityZero Foot-printBranding Penrith as a Sustainable City

Theme, Garden of Eden- Urban Agriculture

Theme, Garden of Eden- ProductiveFarms

Theme, City as Garden- Art Space byMaya Lin





Supporting Agricultural LandsSustain as food bowl of the cityCommunity agriculture

A bio-water cityInnovative water managementConnection between water and food

Linkages

Penrith as destination

AccessibilityPlace for all24 hour space

EducationalDemonstrating environmental sustainabilityGarden as a campus

Reveal the landscape heritageDemonstrate cultural traditions: Aboriginal, colonial, immigrants,emergingThe concept of ‘Commons’ in 21st century cityGarden as open-air wireless ‘library’Garden as incubator for ‘esd’ technologySeamless inside/outside Art, water gardens, and playExploring the sensesCommunity support for agriculture

Penrith City Garden.City Garden Opportunities

Incorporate urban/ rural history & heritage into gardensLiving tool for childrenPotential for urban agriculture & related industry eg South CreekEvolution to regional city A park for 100-200 years; timeless but with potential for changeResearch site for ESD, climate change, universal design A place for well-being and recoverySynergy with Blue Mountains communityCommunity gardening to address shrinking home gardensBecome a large community meeting place

Contribute to culture of city with art that functions eg ‘ESD’ and arttrail

Theme, Futurist Garden- Elisio Denmark

A Heritage of Gardeners

Rural Heritage





6.0 DEVELOPING A MODEL

6.1 Vision and Objectives of the City Garden

Creating a different form of open spaceShould be uniquely Penrith : revealing local identityExploring the futureInnovative and cutting edge design for sustainabilityBest practice Universal DesignElevate the soulRecreational experience for all ( building on Out & About Project)

Street Fair, Recreation for All

Revealing Local Identity





6.2 Analysis for Model Development

The city garden research, found in Appendix C and in theBibliography, was analysed in order to develop a conceptual modelfor the City Garden. This analysis included

developing trends in city gardens themes

Developing Trends as Opportunities for Penrith’s Regional City

Garden

An analysis showed that there are emerging trends in new city gardendesigns which have opportunities for Penrith. This is detailed in Appendix G.

Analysis of Penrith City Garden Themes

The major themes and sub-themes indicate a number of elementsfound in existing models could be developed further for a City Gardenin Penrith. This is detailed in Appendix G.

6.3 Components of the Model City Garden

6.3.1 Comparative Sizes

The following diagrams compare the suggested size of the citygarden, 20 hectares, to a range of other city gardens and parks.

Roma St Parklands, Brisbane, QLD

Birrarung Marr, Vic

Cranbourne Botanic Gardens, Vic





6.3.2: Garden Elements Relationship Models

An analysis of themes and garden research has resulted in a number of garden elements suitable for a city garden in Penrith, see Appendices Cand G. Two potential relationships between these elements, either on asingle site or multiple sites are shown Diagrams 6.3.2.

use / Pavillion

,

llations,

l Design,

ESD

an & Cycle Connection

al Vehicular Access & Parking

THEMATIC GARDENS

COMMON

MARKETS,

PIAZZA

MOUNTAINS

PRODUCTIVEGARDENSMAINTENANCECOMPOUND

WETLANDS

RECYCLED

WATERCHILDREN’S

PLAY/GARDEN

LAKE

BE A CH

LOOKOUT

LOOKOUTENTRY,

GATEWAY

INFO CENTRE,

GIFT SHOP,

CAFE

RIVER

CONNECTION

AMP HI T HE AT RE

WATER PLAY

THEMATIC

GARDENS

COMMON

PRODUCTIVE

GARDENS

MAINTENANCE

COMPOUND

WETLANDS

RECYCLED

WATER

LAKE / WATER

INFO CENTRE,

MARKETS, PIAZZA,

URBAN PLAY

,gn,

ridors

ycle Connection

icular

ing

THEMATIC

GARDENS

THEMATIC

GARDENSTHEMATIC

GARDENS

Garden Entry, NMA, Canberra

Rock Entry, Dorset

Entry Pillars, Moore Park6.3.2 Garden Elements Relational Models

Single Site

Multiple Sites

LEGEND

Glasshouse / Pavillion

Forestry,

Art Installations,Universal Design,WSUD & ESD

Ecological Corridors

Pedestrian & Cycle ConnectionPeripheral Vehicular

Access & Parking





6.3.3 Generic Spaces A series of generic spaces are suggested for the city garden.

Entry/gateway: highly visible and enticingPiazza: large open space to accommodate markets and events ,night and dayCommon: a large green space for recreation and displays Amphitheatre: universally accessible performance area,Beach: an urban beach similar to Brisbane’s SouthbankLake: a large water body associated with the beach and piazza

Islands: islands for habitat or as connecting featuresThematic gardens: a series of discrete gardens associated withthemesChildren’s play/garden: area for children’s engagement with plantsand gardeningProductive garden: an area for community gardeningEcological corridors: green links to other open spacesLookout: for over-viewing the garden and viewing the mountains,river and rural plainsRiver connection: a promenade to the River and the Great River Information centre, gift shop, café, toiletsGlasshouses: innovative glasshouses for interactive plant displaysVertical Gardens and Green Roofs: for buildings and structureswhere possiblegardensUniversal Design: innovative integration of accessible features andsignage Art installations: permanent and changing art, including ephemeralart.Urban Forest: tree planting throughout for carbon sink andproductive forest

Plant displays: plant designs throughout that highlight biodiversitybetween pedestrians and cyclists.Community Cultural Educational Centre: a building associated withthe community gardens for education, seed savers register and other interactive activities.

Piazza, Erina Fair, Gosford

Piazza, Canal Square, Dublin

Amphitheatre by Lake

Island wihin River, Graz, Austria

Interior of Island





6.3.4 Thematic GardensThematic Gardens would be a major feature of the city garden. Broadthematic areas are

Urban water Indigenous plantsThe cultural landscape historyReviving horticultural and agricultural traditionsSustainability and climate change

suggested, shown in diagram 6.3.4

6.3.5 Linking Themes

Discovery, Botanical, History

There are a number of themes that link Penrith with Discovery, Botanyand History including;

The Joseph Banks Discovery GardenThe First Settlement GardenThe Allen Cunningham Garden (see Appendix J)

Edible, Urban Agriculture

An Edible Garden can showcase the Hawkesbury Harvest group andSydney project

Productive Greenwall

Therapeutic Garden, VIC

Reviving Horticultural Traditions

Bunyas, Garden for Botanic Explorers

Diagram 6.3.4 Linking Thematic Gardens





A thematic garden about Science and Sustainability would be of muchresearch about climate change. This thematic garden could also includedigital aspects of a future garden.

Therapeutic, Sensory, Elevation of the Soul

A therapeutic thematic garden would include sensory elements suchas colour, texture, scent, dappled sunlight and shade, breezes. Such

dwellers.

Cultural Diversity, Future

be a dynamic place with constantly changing displays. Associated withthis, could be a thematic garden that explores a multicultural future usingimaginative interactive technology.

Music in the Garden

Relaxing seat, Vienna

Play for All, Erina

Dragonfruit, Vietnamese Garden, Bris-bane

-bane

Vietnamese Topiary, Brisbane

Vietnamese Bonsai, Brisbane

Italian Garden, BrisbaneSomalian Garden, Brisbane





6.2.6 Generic Activities and Support Facilities different city gardens, see Appendix C, Garden Research and G: ModelDevelopment, including:

Markets

GardeningEducation workshopsGlasshouse and Visitors Centre activities with interactive digitalprograms for community stories, seed savers, green streets etc,

Garden as library with outdoor wirelessOutdoor cinemaMusic and dancingCycling, walking, outdoor exercise

Support facilities include:Maintenance compoundsPeripheral accessPeripheral vehicular access and parkingServicesSignageUniversal design principlesLighting

Outdoor Cinema, Federation Square

Accessible Amphitheatre, Highline, NYC

Southbank Markets

Community Gardening, Brisbane










7.1 Options

Three models were developed, derived from consultation and research.Each is able to generate a different form of urban space for Penrith City.

Concentrated : single siteDispersed : multiple sites ‘Green Necklace’City as Garden: Strategic Planning

The following table provides a comparison of the characteristics of eachmodel.

Options Characteristics

Concentrated:Single Site

A New Site Related to river Related to new urban footprint

An Urban Common-People and plants

An active garden An recreation place for urban living A garden for children and elderly

Revealing larger contextlocal identity; mountain,river, plains

Maintaining viewsConnected to river

An urban living room A meeting place for commercial centre

Environmentalsustainability tourism

Demonstrating latest environmentaltechnology in an artful wayIntegration with new architecture

Dispersed:Multiples Sites‘GreenNecklace’

Diverse collection of gardens

Different activities for different sitesGardens as productive landscapesGardens for horticultural educationGardens for community gardening

Revealing local identity insmaller contexts

Neighbourhood sites, creek sites,Larger recreational sites eg Panthers,

Linking and Connections Streets as gardens that linkBuilding on existing parks and open spaceEcological Boulevards- esd projects

environmental systems

Augmenting existing hydrology as water wise designIntegrating natural vegetation associations

landscape

Some sites highlight the agricultural landsSome sites link to thematic history

City asGarden:StrategicPlanning

Urban infrastructure asgardens

All streets, roads, rail and motorway sidingsto be thematically planted

Green walls and greenroofs

All new buildings to incorporate green wallsand green roofs

Horticultural displays inpublic plazas

Maintain rotating and themed displays e.g.Singapore examples

Education and trainingopportunities for urbanhorticulture

community groups

Industrial estates topresent theme gardenimage

City as garden branding for Penrith

Urban forestry on allavailable space

PCC state-of-art tree nursery andpioneering urban arboriculture

Table 7.1 Comparison of Models

7.0 MODEL OPTIONS

villion

,

cle Connection

ularAccess & Parking

THEMATIC GARDENS

COMMON

MARKETS,

PIAZZA

MOUNT

PRODUCTIVE

GARDENS

MAINTENANCE

COMPOUND

WETLANDS

RECYCLED

WATERCHILDREN’S

PLAY/GARDEN

LAKE

BE A C H

LOOKOUT

LOOKOUTENTRY,

GATEWAY

INFO CENTRE,

GIFT SHOP,

CAFE

RIVER

CONNECTION

AMP HI T HE AT RE

WATER PLAY

THEMATIC

GARDENS

COMMON

PRODUCTIVE

GARDENS

MAINTENANCE

COMPOUND

WETLANDS

RECYCLED

WATER

LAKE / WATER

INFO CENTRE,

MARKETS, PIAZZA,

URBAN PLAY

s,

ign,

rridors

ycleConnection

icular

ing

THEMATIC

GARDENS

THEMATIC

GARDENSTHEMATIC

GARDENS

City As Garden

Model of Multiple Sites

Model of Single Site





7.2 Strengths and Weaknesses

7.2.1 Comparison between models

Models Strengths Weaknesses

SingleSite

image

Economy of scale

Ease of Management &operation

Restricted opportunity for growth

Focused revenue generatingfacilities

Easier to create synergy withCBD & river

Less ability to build on existingopen space resources

Less expensive management

Demonstration of environmental design

Showcase new environmentalproducts

MultipleSites

Greater accessible edge Additional costs of dispersedresourcesMore attractive to industrypartners

Potential for variety of uses/activities

Dissipation of energy Multiple visits by localcommunity

spaces

maintain

Replication of resources

Opportunities for urban andcommunity gardening

Good community involvement

City asGarden

Longer implementation time

Branding Cost of maintenance Revenue for advertising

Environmental SustainabilityopportunitiesImplementation throughstrategic planning

Implementation throughstrategic planning

Staged Implementation costsCost neutral

Model Description Strengths Weaknesses

HybridModel

2 feature sites asanchors connectedby green ribbon

Public/private sector

partnerships as joint investment andmanagement

Can build on existingspaces

Opportunity to createsynergy with featuresites, river and CBD





The single central garden has the advantages of economies of scale andthe opportunity to concentrate resources into a well focused location.The management of a single garden will be less expensive with a moreself-sustaining scale of operation. A single location has the advantageof being a “one stop shop” that will develop a stronger location brandimage.

Multiple sites have the advantage of being more accessible to the wider Penrith community. This plurality of City Garden destinations may

increase overall patronage as each location will offer an independentexperience encouraging separate visits rather than a more compactsingle visit to the whole facility.

Disadvantages of the multiple site model include the additional costs of dispersed resources for operations and maintenance, the lack of focusvibrant and memorable experience.

The City as a Garden concept would not be able to succeed withininvestment.

A hybrid between the single and multiple sites where two regionallyopportunity to exploit major natural and cultural resources. Such anopportunity exists with the Riverlink precinct and the Penrith Lakes

partnerships and joint investment and management opportunities.

Obtaining land for the City Gardens will be a major initial challenge.Generally land for parks and open space within new developments areunlikely to provide suitable spaces. Building contributions to the City

Gardens into the City’s Section 94 plan would be appropriate, especiallyas the gardens are likely to enhance land values all through the City. Amore straightforward approach would be to choose a site that could beobtained in one piece as part of a major development area. This wouldhave the advantage of yielding the necessary land directly and thelinkage between the land contribution and the land value uplift wouldalso be stronger.

Aerial View of Penrith Lakes

Nepean River and Lakes









Penrith Lakes Site, an Example

The Penrith Lakes site consists of about 2,000ha and includes landPenrith City is currently considering negotiations related to thedevelopment, including the provision of open space. The site alsodevelopment and has little consequent land value. It may have value for agricultural purposes and may serve as a useful adjunct to the plannedCity Gardens, but the City Gardens project would not be suitable over

The preliminary modelling by Hill PDA suggests that land made availablefor the Penrith City Gardens will increase the value of immediatelyadjacent lands by at least half of its own value. The impact of this valueuplift should be considered in negotiating the private contribution of opencost to the developer.

positive resource as an adjunct to the City Garden including componentsof traditional commercial gardening and agriculture as part of the wholefacility.

connected to the Nepean River, and via the open space corridor alongthe river to other open spaces and indirectly to the City centre. Thecreation of a non-road land connection between the City Garden and

Aerial of Riverlink

Birds Eye View of ADI site, St Mary’s

Glenmore Park

‘Emerald Necklace’ Boston; chain of connecting sitesFig 7.4 Boston Emerald Necklace, a chain of connecting sites





7.5.1 Single Site

Site Ownership Access Availability Advantages Disadvantages

RiverlinkCarpenter SitePanthers Redevel-opment

PCCPanthers

Possible Close to citycentreConnects tothe river

Private Sector

Penrith Showground AgriculturalSociety

Not Close to citycentre

Not available

PCC Possible Beside River prone

Penrith Lakes PLDC Possible Large areawater Infrastructureinstalled

Not close to CBD Availability of

St Mary’s releasearea ADI

To be clari-

New com-munity

not close to river or CBD

Multiple Satellite Sites

Site Ownership Access Availability Advantages Disadvantages

Possible Links withresearch

Multiple use

Ropes & SouthCreek corridors

PCC possible potentialcommunityor sharedgardens

complex manage-ment

PCC Available Showcase

phyto-reme-diation

Not close to com-munity

Mamre Homestead Dept. of Plan-ning

Leased bySisters of Mercy

AttractivePastoral

Not close to cen-tre or residentialareas

PCC Available AttractiveSetting

Glenmore Park OpenSpace

PCC Available AttractiveSetting

Sense of residentownership

Emu Plains PrisonFarm

CorrectionalServices

? To be clari-

Close to river Community per-ceptions

Table 7.5.1 Evaluation of Single and Multiple Sites

7.4 Possible Sites





Hybrid of Sites Ownership Access Availability Advantages Disadvantages

PanthersRedevelopment

Panthersconsortium

Possible Close to city centreConnects to theriver negotiatedpartnership

negotiatedpartnership

River LinkTench &

PCC possible Beside river

Penrith Lakes PLDC possible large water areainfrastructureinstallednegotiatedpartnership

negotiatedpartnership. Floodfree land for major infrastructure

St Clair Open Space

Table 7.5.2: Evaluation of Hybrid Site

Ropes Creek Open Space





7.5.3 Comparison of Elements – single site, multiple sites or hybrid site

From the evaluation, the Penrith Lakes appear to be an ideal locationfor the prime focus with links to other sites along the Nepean River tocompared (see below). Broader opportunities also exist throughout theRopes and South Creek corridors as future opportunities for potentialcommunity or shared garden concepts which would not be as suitablealong the Nepean River or at the Penrith Lakes.

Elements Single Multiple Hybrid

Look-out • •

Gateway • •

• • •

Lakes, Islands • • •

Common • •

Urban Beach • •

• •

Children Garden • • •

• • •

Productive • • •

Forestry • • •

Markets • • •

Info Centre, Shop • •

CommunityCentre • •

Agropark City farm •

Demonstration Gardens • • •

Thematic garden • •

Plaza • •

Pavilions Glasshouse • •

Interpretive art • • •

Toilets • • •Table 7.5.3 Comparison of Garden Elements on Single, Multiple or Hybrid Sites





8.0 PREFERED MODEL

8.1 A Hybrid Model

The preferred model for a regional city garden in Penrith is suggestedas a hybrid between the centralised single site model and the dispersedmultiple sites model; the main city garden being located on a site withinthe Penrith Lakes. This major facility would be connected to a smaller urban site within the Riverlink precinct by a chain of existing greensites along the Nepean River. In this setting such a model, a dynamiccollection of sites along the river with strong attractors at each end,allows for the blending of private and public realms.

The main Penrith Lakes site could be large (20ha), featuring an urbanbeach, lake and wetlands, piazza, common, children’s garden andassociated facilities including glasshouses and community cultural andeducation centre, productive gardens and some thematic gardens.

The chain of connecting riverside sites could provide a series of thematicstories of different journeys associated with the region.The sites could explore the themes of:

Discovery, Botany, HistoryTherapeutic, Sensory, Elevation of the Soul

Rowing Precinct and the water recreation lakes.

The Riverlink Precinct site could be part of the open space attractionsassociated with private sector opportunities such as the Penrith Panthersredevelopment. Given its location close to the CBD and the future highdensity residential area it could be more urban in its character, featuringan urban piazza and amphitheatre, a biolake, wetlands and themedgardens that explore ideas of:

Edible Urban AgricultureCultural Diversity and Futuristic gardens showcasing sustainability

The concept of a managed urban forest, sustainability and water-wisedesign can be extended over all the sites. Similarly interpretative art andephemeral events can exploit the collection of sites.

Other sites also have potential but lack the particular synergy of theThe potential for the three creek corridors as adjunct opportunities isrecognised and can inform the existing strategies in place for theseareas.





8.2 Feasibility of Preferred Model

In order to improve the feasibility of establishing and maintaining asustainable collection of sites making up the Regional City Garden, thePenrith Lakes development which is progressing under part 3A of thedevelopment. It could also include negotiations with the developersof the Panthers site to consider opportunities for innovative andsustainable City Garden concepts.

It is felt that the model of two anchor sites connected by a chain of existing riverside sites presents more opportunity for a synergy betweena number of private sector interests and government. It providespotential for joint ownership and management. Such a suggestedthe proposal.





8.2 Preferred Model













ELEVATIONOF THE SOUL

SENSORY

THERAPEUTIC EDIBLEGARDEN

CULTURALDIVERSITY

BOTANICAL

HISTORY

FUTURESCIENTIFICSUSTAINABILITY

WATER

CLIMATECHANGE

URBAN AGRICULTURE

DISCOVERY

Thematic Gardens





9.0 COST BENEFIT ASSESSMENT AND

POSSIBLE FUNDING SOURCES

9.1 Lessons Learned from Existing Gardens

possible similarity to the proposed Penrith City Garden. These wereMt. Penang Parklands, Orange Botanical Gardens, Cranbourne RoyalBotanical Gardens and Auburn Botanical Gardens.

9.1.1 Mt. Penang Summary Observations

The lessons learned from Mt Penang Parklands include the following: public garden complex; and

There are (possible) synergies between a city garden and an eventspace.

Overall, Mt. Penang Gardens and Event Park appear to generaterevenues of about $160,000 per annum compared to operating costs of about $400,000 per annum. The managers of the Parkland Corporationnote that the cost structure of maintaining the gardens may contain someexisting capacity for parks and gardens maintenance.

Mt. Penang Parklands is close to the geographical centre of GosfordLocal Government Area (LGA). Gosford LGA has a 154,000 peopleCoast. The catchment for the gardens may extend into neighbouringPenang Gardens may be attributable to its recent establishment, thediffused population in the area and the attractions of the coast.

9.1.2 Orange Botanic GardensLessons from Orange Botanical Gardens that could be applicable toPenrith City Gardens include the following:

Community involvement may be useful for some special interestcomponents of the City Garden, such as horticultural and gardeningtraditions. These will extend the level of development achievablewithin the City Garden at low cost, but will not create a revenue

stream.The inclusion of a feature such as a relocated historic church mayprovide a connection with history, provide a focus for a theme of spiritual tranquillity and become a desirable venue for weddings.This could leverage patronage for a function centre elsewhere withinthe gardens to cater for receptions.The extensive use of volunteers may expand the potential of the CityGardens, but may compromise opportunities for cost recovery. Localcultural differences between Orange and Penrith may make theimportation of the former’s level of community involvement unlikely.

9.1.3 Auburn Botanic Garden

The Auburn Botanical Gardens have become well known and wellpatronised in the greater Sydney area. They provide many usefullessons in the design and management of city gardens including the

Restaurant-Pavillion, Mt Penang

Restaurant in Central Park

Corporate Event in the Park

Concert in the Park





following: An integrated park/garden system can provide a superior communityfacility, especially where it is connected to the existing fabric of openspace;The provision of wildlife enriches the visitor experience and mostprobably increases patronage, but results in elevated maintenanceand security problems;Events spaces, such as amphitheatres, should be located to bepractical, yet acoustically sensitive, for night use, while still beingable to leverage the ambience of the gardens and open space;

Admission income policy needs to be balanced between providingservice for the local rate payers and some cost recovery fromexternal visitors;Opportunities exist for privately managed service facilities, such askiosks, restaurants and function centres but they need to be carefullydesigned to make best use of the garden environment;achieved through less staff and a more focused service provision.with internal sub-contracting of general maintenance of lawns andinfrastructure from other Council departments, such as parks androads; andland owners as a result of the gardens. Council should consider

9.2 Cost Analysis of Proposed Regional City Garden

It appears that the City Garden should be between 10ha and 30ha.Establishment costs will run at approximately $1,500,000 per hectareand ongoing running costs may be somewhere between $200,000 and$800,000 per annum. It would appear prudent to provide space for expansion in the initial land acquisition. Patronage of the City Gardenswill likely include both ends of the demographic spectrum suggestingthat the seating and rest rooms should be provided in greater proportion

to other parks. The facilities should also include provision for mobilityimpaired persons.

The inclusion of a function centre or other facilities suitable for attractingthe City Garden’s operating revenue given the experience of Mt.Penang. The inclusion of a wedding venue and reception facilities mayattract a key private function group that could have the potential to utilisethe function space on weekends to complement the corporate activitiesthat would be more likely mid-week. The gardens should be brandedas a desirable location for weddings and corporate functions and acomponent of the cultural life of Penrith.

Security and protection of the garden plantings may require carefulplanning to create the ambience that evening functions are withinthe garden environment, while not necessarily having free access to





it. Evening functions have the capacity to utilise car parks and other facilities that would otherwise be unused at that time. Given the size andgeography of Penrith, it would appear likely that special function incomefor the City Garden should be able to comfortably exceed that of MtPenang, perhaps providing revenues between $100,000 and $150,000the park is mature, well promoted and facilities optimised. Choiceof facilities, management and promotion will be key variables in theeventual revenues

The inclusion of retail and restaurant facilities may also contribute tothe garden’s revenue potential particularly if it is a quality destination.High standard services should be pursued as it is more likely that thesewill have positive social and economic outcomes compared to a simplekiosk. There may be scope for the provision of more than one eatingfacility to cater for all needs. The goal would be to create a location thatprovides a superior dining experience with good parking provisions inorder to be able to support restaurant rents comparable to those in theheart of Penrith.

Despite these revenue opportunities, none of the gardens examined

were able to be self-supporting on the basis of their gardens alone .Mt. Penang is perhaps the closest to this goal, but uses its controlof adjacent employment lands to subsidise the gardens proper. Thisapproach has been used in the past in such places as Sydney’sCentennial Park, where the sale of residential land adjacent thepark proper was used to fund its construction. It has also been usedinternationally for a variety of public facilities including universities andeven railroads in the USA. The key to these historical cases was theallocation of land in addition to the needs of the facilities themselves.other strategies designed to capture the increased land value resultingfrom the gardens may be appropriate.

There is evidence that the existence of a community open space feature,

such as a park or golf course enhances the value of adjacent land.measurable value gradient that falls off over a distance of between 500mand 1,000m.

Preliminary modelling by HillPDA suggests that the value uplift for a CityGarden of 12ha with an average externality value uplift of 10% over ahinterland 400m deep, will be of the order of $13,000,000-$14,000,000depending on the shape of the perimeter. If the hinterland extends to800m, the value uplift will be in the order of $26,000,000-$42,000,000.

Furthermore, the annual real growth in value due to the City Gardenswill be between $130,000 and $850,000 per annum. Exploring ways of capturing this externality may form part of negotiations with owners in thecase of seeking to obtain land as part of development contributions.





operating the City Garden will be of the same order as their impact onsurrounding land values and their growth into the future. The impact of aland values should be considered in negotiating for their acquisition.

More generally, the City Garden will have a positive impact on landvalues across the Penrith City. It is generally accepted that the causesof land values are predominantly the surrounding community and thequality of available infrastructure. The Penrith City Garden will provide

quality open space and community infrastructure that will be perceivedas desirable for all residents of Penrith which will contribute to land valuegrowth.

Although the rate of this value increase will be quite small, its overallof between 0.2% to 0.5% on Penrith land values generally, they willthere is strong reason to believe that it will be one of the factors that willstrengthen the perception of Penrith as a desirable location and that factmust have a land value impact, even if it cannot be empirically isolated.The funding of the operation of the City Garden should be considered inthe light of the probable long term impact the Garden will have on raterevenue.

9.3 Implementation and Maintenance

9.3.1 Implementation

Site acquisition costs depend on a number of variables. Land zonedhectare; 20 hectare costing approximately $3,000,000.

to determine without a design for the sites. The following range couldact as a guide;

Low end costs - $400,000 per hectareMeadows, trees, basic roads and paths

Middle range - $600,000 per hectareMeadows, trees, some planting beds, toilets, lighting, signage, paths androads, connections to existing infrastructure

High end costs - $1.6-2.0 million per hectareMeadows, trees, planting beds, paving, walls, pavilions, glass houses,

toilets, water features, infrastructure, lighting and signage

These rates assume that the site is a tabula rasa and does not





specialized buildings such as research facilities etc.

As a comparison, Cranbourne Botanic Gardens’ stage one, 18 hectares,cost $11 million and it is estimated that stage two will cost $1.5 millionper hectare. Mt Penang Gardens, approx 12 hectares, cost $8 million in2003.

9.3.2 Maintenance

for the gardens. Although maintenance can be outsourced, it isrecommended that PCC undertake the maintenance until the gardensare established.The following comparisons provide a guide to anticipated annual costs.

Mt PenangGardens

AuburnBotanicGardens

OrangeBotanicGarden

Area(hectares)

12 8 41

Maintenancetype

Intensive Inhouse Community/Council

Maintenancecosts

$400,000p.a privatecontractors

$780,000 p.a(salaries +costs)

$138,000 p.a

In-house staff 6 12 3FT + 5-10volunteers

Income,visitors &leases, hiringspaces

$160,000 $86, 000 No entry fee

Table 9.3.2 Comparative Maintenance Costs for Gardens

9.3.3 Maintenance and Management Guidelinescare of plants and inert materials. They should be used by the groundsnumerous and varied plant types, natural and man-made landscapeproject components, and functional areas on installations require detailedmaintenance clauses are supplied in Appendix L: LandscapeMaintenance Guidelines.

A quality City Garden can contribute to the array of cultural andrecreational facilities available in Penrith enhanced through the inclusionof function spaces suitable for corporate events as well as weddingof Penrith as a corporate location and a family focused location, as well

The location of at least one quality eating venue as part of the garden





revenue stream. It would leverage the resources of the garden by usingfacilities well after garden closing time for a different client base andreinforce promotion of it as a function location thus supporting eveningsafety and security.

Other cultural facilities, such as an outdoor concert venue, may further towards the operation of the Gardens.

If located as part of the Penrith Lakes area, a City Garden could also below lying land. In this way these lands could become a communityresource and create positive externalities for neighbouring developmentlands.

The City Garden will incur several costs. The most important is the costland for both present and future needs as expanding the garden in thefuture may be especially expensive due to the likelihood that adjacentland will probably become premium residential property.

The City Garden will also have operating costs. It will be only possibleto recoup part of these, possibly between 15% and 40% from directCity Garden revenues, such as rents and function revenues. This willrequire a commitment to recurrent funding from Penrith City Councilhowever the existence of the City Garden will eventually contribute tothe strengthening of land values in Penrith generally translating intoportion of operating costs.

The operation of any community facility generates some disruption tomay generate noise if outdoor cultural events are incorporated into

its activities. Appropriate connection to roads and transport should beconsidered. The layout of the facilities within the garden should beconsidered in order that noise generating activities are located close tothe centre of the gardens. In that way the garden will provide a naturalsound buffer to the surrounding private lands.

9.5 Possible Funding Sources

A range of funding opportunities are described below. Appendix K:government grants for climate change.

Project Partners

Potential partnerships within the community, education and privatesectors can be negotiated to include in-kind support, sponsorships for





Community Trustsremain for city garden purposes only.

Percentage for Art from Capital Works Budgets

A dedicated Public Art Budget can be established through the annual

Australia Council for the ArtsVisual Arts/Craft: Triennial Grants

Visual arts and craft organisations can apply for funding for projects Australia, as well as an effective and viable three-year plan.Community Partnerships Grants

Priority areas include:Regional AustraliaDisabilityYoung PeopleEmerging communitiesIndigenous People

National Heritage Trust

Envirofund

NSW Department of Natural Resources

Landcare Grants

Stormwater TrustCouncils are able to apply for grants for certain stormwater projectsunder the Government’s Urban Sustainability Program, administered by

the Department of Energy, Utilities and Sustainability. This includes theStormwater Trust Strategic Grants Scheme for water sensitive urbandesign solutions for catchments above wetlands.

Tourism NSW

GrantsLINK

Comprehensive directory of grants for community projects drawn fromthe many Commonwealth grant programs.

Cultural Sector Grants and Services DatabaseNational database of organisations that provide grants for culturalsector practitioners compiled by the Commonwealth Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts.





Gordon Darling Foundation

institutions to promote innovative projects in Australia.The Gordon Darling Foundation Email: [email protected]

Philanthropy Australia Inc.

National membership organisation for grant making trusts andfoundations in Australia Over 130 members annually distribute tens

of millions of dollars to the community, in the areas of education, arts,welfare, health and medical research.Email: [email protected]

Ian Potter Foundation

Aims to nurture excellence and diversity in cultural activities. Theysupport the linking of education and the arts with particular reference toextending cultural opportunities to regional centres.

Myer Foundation

Supports projects that resolve problems and addresses issues thatmake a positive measurable difference to society through focus areas.

New South Wales Community Arts Association

To provide support and services which assist the diverse communitiestheir own cultural development and information, advice, referrals andconsultancy on and for community cultural development

Children’s Charities, Spastic Centre

The Spastic Centre supports Universal Design and fosters communityparticipation. It invests in research and development of equipment thatfacilitates access thus providing more opportunities to connect with thewider community.

Australian Arts Business Foundation, Art NSW

Role is to link government agencies and coporate businesses aspartnerships to develop major projects with the component of culturaldevelopment.





10.0 IMPLEMENTATION AND TIMING

Council Approval of Regional City Garden 'Concept'Model

Development of Design Brief

Call for Expressions of Interest

Call for Tenders for Design Consultancy Services

Tender Assessment

Appointment of successful Tenderer for DesignConsultancy Services

Secure Funding Sources and Partnerships

Development of Concept and Design for Planning Approval

Detailed Design Development & Preliminary CostEstimates

Review and finalise Design Documentation for Construction & Maintenance Tender Purposes

Tender Assessment

Appointment of successful Tenderer for Construction &Maintenance Services

Construction and Establishment










11.0 CONCLUSION

This study concludes that a regional city garden in Penrith could befeasible economically, environmentally and culturally. The conclusion isbased on research and public consultation over a wide range of issues,including whether or not there is a need for such a city garden.

A recreational analysis showed that currently Penrith is supplied with ad-equate recreational open space, however with the increasing populationand residential density, Penrith will require additional high quality openspace in a form that provides a range of experiences for different groups

importantly, there are a number of timely opportunities.

-tres in the Metro Strategy for Sydney. This provides the opportunity for exemplary and coordinated strategic city planning. Penrith is distinguish-able from the other growth centres because of its location at the westernincluding the Blue Mountains National Park, the riverine landscape asso-plain. The combination of these factors suggests a city garden drawingfrom such natural and cultural features would be a regional attraction.

The proposed city garden could also act as a local cultural and recrea-tional facility, facilitating a balanced city on the western edge of Sydney’smetropolitan area which can sustain a demographically and sociallydiverse community. As a ‘soft location factor’, the city garden could en-courage economic development and attract professionals and managersto live in the area.

Second, there are two major private sector recreational developmentsproposed for Penrith City; the redevelopment of the Penrith Panthers/-cant advantages in integrating a possible city garden into these devel-clear funding advantages, as well as the opportunity for a more inclusive

management structure.

Third, Penrith City Council is undertaking a number of city and openspace improvements including a proposed extension of Jane Street and

Fourth, the current focus on environmental sustainability and the implica-tions of climate change suggest that the city garden could develop timelyresearch partnerships with universities in Sydney. Current research in-

-den. Equally concerns about localized food production could encouragemarket opportunities and partnerships with the farmers and orchardistsin north-west of Penrith. There is also the opportunity to apply innova-





Given the need and the opportunities, options were developed based onresearch into existing national and international city gardens, particularlybotanic gardens and the various new city parks as successful exemplarsof best practice design. The popularity of the new city parks in Brisbaneand Melbourne indicate the importance of strong and legible pedes-trian links with the CBD and the attraction of interactive water features.Other contemporary design initiatives that informed the options were theincreasing environmental value of ‘soft urban systems’ such as green

walls and roofs, urban water management and new forms of energy.

This wide-ranging review highlighted the importance of programs andactivities within a city garden to sustain its vitality and continued visita-tion as well as new ways to engage citizens in eco-design.

The options were also informed by consultative workshops with design-comes of the consultations indicated strong support for the landscapeheritage of productive lands, a desire for a bio-water city, a garden as aliving tool for children and support for a cultural garden through art andactivities. The outcomes were integrated into three options for a citygarden; a single centrally located site, multiple sites with green connec-tions, and the whole city as a garden. A range of possible locations wereconsidered for these options.

The option of a single central garden has the advantages of economiesof scale and the opportunity to concentrate resources into a focusedlocation. The management of a single garden would be less expensiveas well as more self-sustaining.

Multiple sites have the advantage of being accessible to the wider Pen-rith community. The plurality of city garden destinations may increaseoverall patronage as each location will offer an independent experienceencouraging separate visits rather than a single visit to a more compact

whole facility. Disadvantages of the multiple site option include the addi-tional costs of dispersed resources for operations and maintenance, theto create a vibrant and memorable experience.

The whole city as a garden option was not pursued as it is alreadyachievable through current planning strategies for open space, streetsand the public domain.

for private partnerships should be explored further as a hybrid optionbetween a single focal site supported by smaller multiple sites, such as

a major focal site within the Penrith Lakes development together with asmaller adjunct site as part of the Penrith Panthers/Riverlink redevelop-





has been considered for the main garden, this should be part of at least30 ha to permit future expansion and the eventual inclusion of additionalfacilities. This is recommended as the preferred model for the RegionalCity Gardens.

This proposal allows for a strong and legible connection to the river andthe CBD. The main Penrith Lakes location can provide a market/piazza,a large common with grassy amphitheatre, a central lake and urbanbeach, a designated children’s garden, a prominent hill as a lookout,wetlands and productive gardens with an associated community centre

can act as the link between the main garden and the smaller Riverlink/Panthers’ garden which can include lakes/wetlands and urban plaza.

The proposed City Gardens provide an opportunity to brand Penrith asa leader in environmental sustainability and the application of universaldesign. It can consolidate community partnerships and showcase localproducts, including those from local farms. The educative role of the CityGardens can operate through stimulating thematic gardens as well ascollaborative research projects with universities and the Sydney BotanicGardens. The design of the City Garden can result in a different form of open space that is uniquely Penrith, exploring the future, elevating thesoul and grounding the community in an environmentally sustainablelandscape.

Contextually, the City Garden can sit within and augment the existingand developing regional open space network. As a recreation destina-tion the City Garden can provide an urban setting for fun activities,particularly based on water and through a well-developed events pro-gram contributing to Penrith as a dynamic city on the edge of the Sydneymetropolitan area.










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Birkhäuser Journal of Landscape Architecture, Beauty/Floods/Climate, Spring 2008http://www.info-jola.de/pdfs/jola-web.pdf Reed, Peter (2005) Groundswell: Constructing the ContemporaryLandscape, New York: Museum of Modern Art Publication.Richardson, Tim (2008) Avant Gardeners, London: Thames and HudsonRuano, Miguel (2006) Eco-urbanism, Sustainable Human Settlements:60 Case Studies, Barcelona: GG Publishing.SchrÖder, Thiess (2003) ‘German Landscape Architecture Prize 2003:Taking Stock’ in Hoppenstedt, Adrian (ed) (2003) Event Landscape?Berlin: Birkhauser pp70-91.

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APPENDICES

Appendix A: Recreation Report, Stratcorp ConsultingTrends and Demographic Analyses for a Possible Penrith Regional CityGarden

Appendix B: OUT & ABOUT IN PENRITH Universal Design and CulturalContext: Accessibility, diversity and recreational space in Penrith

Appendix C: Garden Research, an International Review of City Gardens

Appendix D: The Australian National Botanic Garden InterpretiveTypologies

Appendix G: Model Development

Appendix I: Urban Agriculture Opportunities

Appendix J: Botanical Themes by Dr David J. Collins

Appendix K: Funding and Grants

Appendix L: Landscape Maintenance Guidelines





Documents

Sequoia,Community Gardening,organic gardening,gardening,community,redwoods,School Gardens,student,native plant society,native plant society,education,student,bird watching,teacher,art,coast,sustainable