Urban Design Framework Concept and Design …...6 Strathfieldsaye Town Centre Urban Design Framework; Concept and Design Update 3. Concept development Through the use of a model of

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Strathfieldsaye Town CentreUrban Design Framework Concept and Design Update

2 Strathfieldsaye Town Centre Urban Design Framework; Concept and Design Update

1. Introduction 3

2. Principles 4

3. Concept development 6A. Wellesley Street a Public Space 7

B. Increased Shopping 8

C. Increased Access, Walking and Cycling 10

D. Town Square 11

E. Develop south side of Wellington Street and increased accessibility 12

F. Mixed uses to create activity 13

G. Quality public transport 14

H. Village within the creeks 15

I. Increase accessibility through more links from connected public space 16

4. Concepts in sketches 17

5. Development to a Framework 22

Contents

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This document sets out the ideas and concepts discussed in stage 2 during the community design workshops for the Strathfieldsaye Town Centre Urban Design Framework (UDF). This is the second stage of four, in completing the Strathfieldsaye UDF. In this stage we focused on how the principles developed in stage one can be implemented in the town centre.

Feedback on this document is welcome and can be sent by email to Els Viester in the Strategy Unit: [email protected]

What is a UDF?

A UDF sets the direction and coordination for the development of an area. It involves the generation of ideas and the preparation of realistic design concepts based on extensive community engagement, research and analysis.

The UDF will focus on the Town Centre and the area along Strathfieldsaye/Wellington Road. These areas have a considerable influence on the existing and future character of the town and are expected to see significant growth and new development.

1. Introduction

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Strathfieldsaye Town Centre

Project area for Strathfieldsaye Town Centre Urban Design Framework

Urban Growth Boundary


2. Principles

From the community consultation sessions and survey results from stage 1, basic principles were drafted to represent all of the comments. These are generally

accepted by the Community Reference Group and the wider community. In this stage of the plan we set out to show how these principles could be applied.

The Town Centre and Beyond

Con�nue to seek to re-create the rural village character of Stratheldsaye when it grows

Enhancement and reten�on of a landscape with trees and lawn is important

Wherever possible, exis�ng mature trees should not be removed and new tree plan�ng supported

Moving in and around Stratheldasye

Safe, reliable public transport op�ons in the town centre that should be expanded with the increase in popula�on

Besides accommoda�ng cars, the design of the town should s�mulate safe walking and cycling

Aim for a high quality pedestrian, bicycle and road network that offers safety for all ages and abili�es

There is a need for more crossings and pathways to provide for safe opportuni�es to walk or cycle to school or town centre

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Provide land for industrial uses within project area

Ensure a series of connected passive and ac�ve recrea�on areas to provide for the growing popula�on

Trees, housing facing the streets and large plot sizes on entering and exi�ng Stratheldsaye are key elements for maintaining and enhancing the character

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Maximum building height of two storeys within the context of a rural village feel

Car parking should not dominate the appearance of the main street

Design criteria are needed to maintain and enhance the rural village character

We want the town centre to be a place to meet

Wellesley Street should be planned as a vegetated open space

Increased retail and commercial presence to increase choice

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Wellington Street

The focus of the commercial area should be on the northern side of Wellington Street Wellington Street

More employment and services in the town centre OPEN


3. Concept development

Through the use of a model of the town centre the application of the principles were tested. The following images with guiding text do not intend to show how the Town Centre of Strathfieldsaye needs to be, but to show options of how certain elements could be placed within the town centre to implement the principles.

The image on the left shows the existing situation of Strathfieldsaye Town Centre.

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Wellesley Street should be planned as a vegetated open space


A. Wellesley Street a Public SpaceA concept with broad community consensus is the development of a green public space in the town centre. Wellesley Street, an unused road reserve that crosses through the town centre could provide for this community aspiration.

Principles that this concept would implement:


Car parking should not dominate the appearance of the main street

Wellington Street

The focus of the commercial area should be on the northern side of Wellington Street


B. Increased ShoppingFor the growth that is forecast for Strathfieldsaye it is estimated that

another 0.7 hectares of commercial space is needed (Commercial Land and Activity Centre Strategy, 2015). There are several ways this commercial space can be accommodated. The models on the following two pages show some locations that could be suitable for development of commercial space.

Image B1 shows the option of an additional commercial area placed in front of the existing commercial area which will create better frontage to the main road. B2 shows an additional supermarket/shopping centre at the northern side of Apsley Lane. This will put the focus of the commercial area to Apsley Lane. B3 shows the option of having another supermarket on the west side of Wellesley Street, fronting Wellington Street. This will benefit the frontage to the main road and the focus of activity will be along the main street corridor.

Other oprions are possible. The general consensus from the Community Reference Group and the community is that future retail/commercial uses should be consolidated with the existing retail and should assist in framing the proposed public space.

Principles that this concept would implement: B1

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More employment and services in the town centre

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B2 B3


C. Increased Access, Walking and CyclingWellesley Street and Apsley Lane provide great opportunities

for safe walking and cycling connections, which would link all parts of the Town centre with safe infrastructure. Vehicular access to Apsley Lane would provide for parking opportunities along this lane, as well as access for car parking behind the buildings so that car parking will not dominate the appearance of the main street.


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D. Town SquareBesides the creation of a green corridor in the town centre, the development of a town square is a supported concept. The function of a town square would be to provide for everyday activities like a place to sit, family picnics, community gatherings, or a place for lunch, but also for special events as Australia Day celebrations.

The location of a town square would be best located on a site with high pedestrian traffic; the centre of action which would be dependent on where additional commercial area will be located. The design and size of a potential town square will have to be further discussed.



Wellington StreetDesign criteria are needed to maintain and enhance the rural village character

More employment and services in the town centre

E. Develop south side of Wellington Street and increase accessibility

With the abundance of commercial zoned area and the opportunity to create a cohesive compact town centre with lots of opportunity for walking and cycling the principle was developed to focus retail/commercial development to the north side of Wellington Street. For the land on the South side of Wellington Street that gives the opportunity for other services, employment, medium density housing and possibly emergency services. The connections between the south and north side of Wellington Street need to be strengthened for pedestrian and cyclists to provide access to all facilities in and around the town centre. With possible new intersections the development of additional pedestrian crossings could be implemented.


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OPEN

Wellington Street

The focus of the commercial area should be on the northern side of Wellington Street


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Car parking should not dominate the appearance of the main street More employment and

services in the town centre

F. Mixed uses to create activityOther parts of the town centre north of Wellington Street could provide for mixed uses. Uses that could be considered are shop-top housing, offices at home and possibly retirement housing.

This will bring more activity into the town centre and create safety by having people overlooking public spaces and streets.



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G. Quality public transportA good public transport network contributes to Strathfieldsaye

residents using other modes of transport than the car. With an ageing population and high numbers of young people better public transport will assist mobility.

Opportunities that have arisen in Strathfieldsaye lately have already been developed. Such as the trial of bike racks on the bus service to Bendigo; an expanded local bus service within Strathfieldsaye and the success story of two buses full of St. Francis of the Fields children each morning.

New opportunity for Strathfieldsaye may include a bike cage to provide for the opportunity to cycle to the town centre and take the bus to Bendigo. We understand that this would be the first publicly available bike cage in Victoria which is not located at a train station.

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H. Village within the creeksCreeks define the edges of the wider town centre and contribute to the overall character of Strathfieldsaye. Wellington Street between Tannery Lane and Emu Creek forms a potential “southern edge connection” between the two creeks, wrapping around the wider town centre. Highlighting parts of the creek along the main road will to continue this character element so it becomes recognisable as an edge of the town centre. Strong tree planting will also contribute to the character and should be a major feauture of Wellington Street.


I. Increase accessibility through more links from connected public space

The creeks in Strathfieldsaye provide the frame for a linear park with public facilities hanging off that, much like the Spring Gully creek trail. The base of this structure is already there, connecting two schools and two major sport and recreation areas. The town centre is not directly connected to the creek. This network can be expanded by creating safe walking and cycling links from the creek to the schools, town centre and other important places.

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The following pages show sketch drawing that represent how some of the concepts discussed could look.

4. Concepts in sketches


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5. Development to a Framework

After comments have been received on this document the work on the draft urban design framework will start.

The development of the framework will be an exercise of translating the principles and concepts developed in cooperation with the community into a planning document.

Several opportunities will be given to the community to express their feedback on the draft UDF before the final document will be presented to council.

Comments should be sent to Els Viester in the Strategy Unit by 1 August 2016 by emailing [email protected].

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Documents

Urban Design Framework Concept and Design …...6 Strathfieldsaye Town Centre Urban Design Framework; Concept and Design Update 3. Concept development Through the use of a model of