Save Dimmeys. Swan St Structure Plan 4.5.1.1 & 4.5.1.2

8/4/2019 Save Dimmeys. Swan St Structure Plan 4.5.1.1 & 4.5.1.2

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DRAFT MAY 2011


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SWAN STREET STRUCTURE PLAN__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents ........................................................................................................ 2

Part 1: Introduction and Background ...................................................................................... 3

1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 3

1.2 Study Area ............................................................................................................. 3

1.3 Policy Basis ........................................................................................................... 4

1.4 Purpose of Structure Plan ..................................................................................... 5

1.5 Community Consultation ....................................................................................... 6

Part 2: The Place .................................................................................................................... 7

2.1 Regional Role and Context .................................................................................... 7

2.2 Overview of Key Issues ......................................................................................... 8

Part 3: The Structure Plan .................................................................................................... 16

The Vision ................................................................................................................. 16Theme 1: Land Use ................................................................................................... 17

Theme 2: Built Form .................................................................................................. 21

Theme 3: Public Spaces ............................................................................................ 30

Theme 4: Access and Movement .............................................................................. 34

Part 4: Implementation .......................................................................................................... 38

Implementation Model ............................................................................................... 38


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PART 1: INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

1.1 INTRODUCTION

The Yarra City Council has prepared a Structure Plan for theSwan Street Major Activity Centre which includes the shoppingand commercial areas located along Swan Street and adjoining

areas. Preparation of this Structure Plan comprises eight keystages as illustrated in Figure 1 below.

To date, the first five stages of the project have now beencompleted and the Draft Swan Street Structure Plan has beenprepared.

The Draft Structure Plan has been shaped by a number ofinputs that include, but are not limited to, relevant existing localand State Government policy frameworks, extensivebackground research and analysis, on the ground experienceand observations within the study area, discussions andfeedback from members of the Swan Street StakeholderGroup, formal written submissions and finally, lively discussions

with a variety of people who live, work and play in the broaderstudy area.

This Structure Plan sets out a proposed vision for the future ofthe Activity Centre. It identifies a vision for what the place willbecome and sets a series of strategic objectives that outline the

way the vision will be achievedThe Structure Plan has been arranged around four themes toassist in the understanding of its content. These include:

x Theme 1: Land Usex Theme 2: Built Formx Theme 3: Public Spacesx Theme 4: Access and Movement

The Structure Plan has been written as a high-level strategy document, providing more locally-specific content than is outlined in the municipal-wide planning framework. However, theStructure Plan is intended to be a general document only and does not consider the detailed conditions of every location within the study area. Therefore, more detailed planning for manyproject and development proposals will need to be undertaken to better understand the specific local context.

ProjectPlanning andEstablishment

BackgroundResearch &

Analysis

Preparation of

Issues Paper

Consultation on

Issues Paper

Preparation ofDraft Structure

Plan

Consultation onDraft Structure

Plan

Finalisation of

Structure Plan

Preparation ofImplementation

Plan

Figure 1: Process of Developing the Structure Plan


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1.2 STUDY AREA

The area included in this Structure Plan is bound by PuntRoad to the west, the Yarra River corridor to the south,Loyola Grove to the east. A point roughly halfway betweenSwan Street and Bridge Road has been designated as thenorthern boundary (see Figure 2).

The Swan Street area is an important Major Activity Centre(MAC) in the City of Yarra. It has a unique, strategicposition within the metropolitan area offering:

x un-rivalled transport access by all modes oftransport.

x access to major parklands, the city centre,nearby activity centres and the Yarra River.

x a rich history contributing the unique characterand charm of area.

x a successful retail core associated with more

diverse retail, business and industrial precincts.x a compact urban form.

1.3 POLICY BASIS

UnderMelbourne 2030, the State Governments long-termMetropolitan planning strategy, the Swan Street area isdesignated as a Major Activity Centre. Activity Centres areplaces that are a focus for commerce, entertainment,employment and living given their high level of access totransport, infrastructure and a broad mix of uses.

Figure 2: Study Area Boundary and Aerial Photograph


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Melbourne 2030directs that Structure Plans be prepared for all significant Activity Centres. Structure Plans are planning documents that will be used to guide the future use anddevelopment of an area. The Structure Plan will consolidate and build on previous and current work to reflect a coordinated, strategic approach to guiding future growth and change withinthe study area. The preparation of the Structure Plan has taken into account a number of policies and strategies including:

x Melbourne @ 5 Million.x the City of Yarra Planning Scheme.

x the Inner Melbourne Action Plan (2005).x Council Plan 2009 13.x Yarra Economic Development Strategy (2009).

x Yarra Open Space Strategy (2006).x Yarra Bicycle Strategy 2010 2015.x Cremorne and Church Street Precinct Urban Design Framework (2007).

x Channel 9 Design Principles (October 2008).x East Richmond Station Access and Amenity Improvements (2009).x Other Council documents.

1.4 PURPOSE OF STRUCTURE PLAN

The Swan Street Structure Plan will provide a planning document that assists both Council and private investors in understanding the requirements of achieving the shared vision for thearea. It will be used to:

x manage growth and change in the study area by providing guidance in regards to making better decisions for new development.x coordinate better community services.x plan traffic and transport measures.

x plan physical changes to streets and streetscapes.x guide both public and private sector investment.x advocate for, and coordinate action by, government agencies and bodies.


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1.5 COMMUNITY CONSULTATION

In preparing the draft Structure Plan, a consultation program has been designed to engage a variety of stakeholders, including but not limited to local business owners, visitors andresidents across a range of life stages. To date, consultation activities associated with the preparation of the draft Structure Plan have included:

x Advertisements in local media including Yarra News, local newspapers, Yarra Business E-bulletin and other relevant community newslettersx

Promotion through Councils websitex Development of Project Fact Sheet and Posters

x Availability of hard-copy documents at Council officesx Discussions with a wide range of internal Council departments and teamsx Various activities targeted at a broad range of community groups

x A Meet the Planner session at the Richmond Libraryx A weekend street stall set up for the general public

It is envisaged that a similar approach to consultation will be taken with regards to the draft Structure Plan.


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Figure 3: Regional Context

PART 2: THE PLACE

This section of the Structure Plan outlines the existingconditions, key trends, influences and issues that willaffect the future growth and development of the study

area. These have informed the structure planningprocess and the strategic objectives identified in theStructure Plan. All facts and figures presented in thissection have been derived from the technical backgroundreports prepared as part of the planning process andfrom various Council sources1.

For a detailed discussion of the issues affecting the studyarea, please refer to the Key Issues Discussion Paperdated July 2010.

2.1 REGIONAL ROLE AND CONTEXT

Located in the City of Yarra 2.5km south east of the CBD,the Swan Street area is an important inner-city ActivityCentre. It has important physical, social and economiclinks with the Melbourne CBD given its close proximity(see Figure 3).

1Population and household growth figures may incorporate some geographic areas outside of the study area and have been determined on a best-fit basis. For purposes of this Structure Plan, this has been referred to as the general

study area.


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Figure 4: Major Activity Centres of the City of Yarra

Similarly, the Swan Street Major Activity Centre has close relationships with the other four Major Activity Centres within the City of Yarra (shown in Figure 4).

These centres share a number characteristics such as:

x all are strip shopping centres characterised by linear, elongated strips of apredominately low scale.

x relatively intact heritage fabric first established to serve local communities more thanone hundred years ago.

x they operate independently, seeking out different market niches.x they draw on customers from across a broad region (metropolitan Melbourne and

beyond), as well as serving local communities.x less than a quarter of turnover comes from expenditure by Yarra residents (23%).

x all face traffic, transport, and public space challenges due to their location on majorthrough roads which serve as space for pedestrians, cyclists, trams, cars and trucks.

x they contain a mix of buildings and subdivision patterns from the 19th Century whichhas had a long term effect on the underlying character of these centres Victorian erabuildings, long narrow blocks, rear lanes and street paving.

The study area also has important relationships with the nearby Prahan / South Yarra PrincipalActivity Centre.


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0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000

0-4 years

5-9 years

10-14 years

15-19 years

20-24 years

25-29 years

30-34 years

35-39 years

40-44 years

45-49 years

50-54 years

55-59 years

60-64 years

65-69 years

70-74 years

75-79 years

80-84 years

85 years and over

Number of people

2031

2021

2006

Figure 5: Projected Age Profile (Source: Id Consulting)

2.2 OVERVIEW OF KEY ISSUES

COMMUNITY PROFILE

As of 2006, the general study area has a population of 15,354people. Approximately three-quarters of residents were born inAustralia, with the remainder coming from throughout the world,particularly Greece, Italy, China, India, New Zealand and the UK.

This cultural diversity contributes to the identity and character of thelocal area.

The vast majority of people in the area are aged between 25 and39, and younger people are expected to continue to be the largestage group into the future. The relatively young age profile of thecommunity is in contrast to many other places, which areexperiencing an aging population.

Residents of the general study area have become increasingly moreeducated since 2006 and there are a high number of professionalsresiding in the area. With over 30% of households earning over$2,000 per week, the area is considered to be relatively affluent.

The general study area is expected to grow to over 20,000 peopleby 2031. Such significant population growth will likely impact on thelocal community, placing pressure on local community services, thetransport network, and infrastructure.


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URBAN AND BUILT FORM

The study area has a relatively compact urban form, with densities averaging around 50 dwellings / hectare. Transport infrastructure has a strong influence on the urban form, with thetram and train lines and stations and major roads providing significant structural elements.

There is a variety of built form types in the area ranging from fine-grain residential and retail development to coarser-grain commercial and industrial developments. This diversity hasallowed for a rich mix of activities that has given the area its unique character and supported dynamic living and business opportunities. The area is also architecturally diverse with

buildings encompassing a range of styles from the 1860s to the present.In terms of built form scale, the study area is generally comprised of low-scale buildings ranging between one and three storeys. Areas of higher built form are located just north ofRichmond Station and near the Yarra River, where large subdivision patterns and the lack of surrounding residential areas have created relatively unconstrained developmentopportunities.

TOPOGRAPHY, NATURAL AND LANDSCAPE FEATURES

The topography of the study area generally slopes up from the Yarra River in the south to the areas in the north-east. The Richmond Hill area centred around Church Street, north ofSwan Street, is a significant topographical feature and offers excellent views to the surrounding area.

The Yarra River, running along the southern boundary of the study area, is the most significant natural feature of the study area. It has limited areas of natural space along its northernbank, but importantly includes Herring Island and McConchie Reserve, a former quarry which today provides an important wetlands area.


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Figure 6: Heritage Overlay Areas

HERITAGE

The study area contains many important heritagebuildings and places. Several heritage residential areasare scattered throughout the study area, including alarge contiguous area north of Swan Street (particularlywest of Church Street). The core retail area along Swan

Street, with its relatively intact heritage fabric, is animportant heritage area and gives the local area a strongand unique sense of place.

Important heritage buildings contributing to the heritagecharacter of the area include the former Bryant and MayIndustrial Complex, the Richmond Maltings and NylexSign site, Dimmeys, the St. Ignatius complex, andseveral other sites.

Many of the heritage areas in the study area are coveredby a Heritage Overlay which provides a degree ofprotection under the Yarra Planning Scheme.


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Carbon emissions, congestion, air pollution, noise and car-dependency are some of the overarching issues relating to transport in the study area. Fortunately, the compact urban form ofthe area is conducive to active transport and enables walking and cycling. This, combined with the excellent access to public transport options, strongly position the study area to achievemore sustainable travel behaviour.

Walking and Cycling

Pedestrian activity is focussed around Swan Street, particularly at intersections with Cremorne, Church and Burnley Streets. Signalised intersections are frequent, and walking paths existalong the river. Pedestrian activity nodes exist around the train station as well, particularly during peak hours.

A network of on-road cycling paths exists in the study area, and the Main Yarra Trail and the Capital City Trail are key off-road paths that cater to significant cyclist volumes.Given the compact nature of the study area, the presence of multiple-travel modes, and the high volume of traffic moving through the area, conflicts between cars and pedestrians andcyclists are common. These can pose safety issues and make walking and cycling less efficient which may discourage people from using them to meet their travel needs.

Public Transport

The focus of public transport in the study area is the three train stations. Richmond, East Richmond and Burnley Station are all located within easy distance of the CBD and experienceheavy patronage. Richmond Station in particular experiences huge volumes of traffic, as it is an interchange point for multiple lines.

Tram routes 70, 78 and 79 also operate within the study area along Swan and Church Streets. However, the tram lines share road space with cars and are often subject to significantdelays during periods of congestion, particularly during peak hour.

Cars and Parking

The study area includes a number of key roads that are highly utilised and strategically important for the wider area. These major traffic routes influence the quality of life for those living

within the study area through the amount of traffic and congestion, travel times to work and the quality of the public realm.


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PART 3: THE STRUCTURE PLAN

THE VISION

The vision for the future of Swan Street is as follows:

The Swan Street Activity Centre is home to a richmix of activities providing choice and diversity inliving, working, playing and learning. It is avibrant, gritty and eclectic urban communitywhere people connect.

Moving forward to 2030, Swan Street will be a place that:

x Continues to build on its rich and unique history;x Balances the old and the new in a dynamic and

sustainable way;

x Supports a strong local economy;x Celebrates its social diversity and inclusiveness;x Promotes active, healthy and connected lifestyles;

and

x Is easy to move within and around in a safe, practicaland enjoyable way.

The following sections outline the way that Council will achievethe vision. They set out objectives what needs to beachieved and strategies how the objectives will be achieved for the following four themes:

x Theme 1: Land Usex Theme 2: Built Formx Theme 3: Public Spacesx Theme 4: Access and Movement


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THEME 1: LAND USE

Refer to Land Use Framework Plan (Figure 7)

Objective 1

To support a diversity of viable retail opportunities thatsupport local residents and businesses

Strategy 1.1Identify gaps in the retail mix and encourage these uses toestablish in Swan Street.

Strategy 1.2Encourage the establishment of additional fresh food retailers toimprove access to fresh food for residents.

Strategy 1.3Encourage independent, local retailers to establish a retailpresence in the area.

Strategy 1.4Encourage active retail uses on the ground floor of key retailareas.

Strategy 1.5Encourage retail development in key activity nodes and aroundkey uses such as employment and education in appropriatelocations..

Strategy 1.6Revitalise the Burnley Village by encouraging more active usesthat cater to the daily needs of nearby residents.

Objective 2

To develop links between higher education providers andassociated business opportunities

Strategy 2.1Encourage the development of fashion-related businessesaround Kangan Institute and surrounding locale.

Strategy 2.2Encourage small scale, independent fashion-retailers to occupyunderutilised retail spaces in the western end of Swan Street.

Objective 3

To support vibrant, dynamic and appropriately managed nighttime activity

Strategy 3.1Support the development of a high quality restaurant precincton Swan Street, immediately east of Church Street.

Strategy 3.3Encourage late night venues to be appropriately managed tominimise potential negative impacts on nearby, sensitive landuses.

Strategy 3.4Encourage further entertainment uses in close proximity to theRichmond Train Station to capitalise on trade from the nearby

Sporting Precinct.


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Objective 4

To maintain and strengthen a diversity of employment andindustrial opportunities

Strategy 4.1Continue to encourage the development of office uses in thearea, particularly in the Cremorne and south Church Streetarea.

Strategy 4.2Retain existing planning controls that support urban servicessuch as panel beaters, mechanics, building suppliers etc. toremain in the local area (particularly in the area to the west ofBurnley Station, south of the rail line) in order to support theneeds of local residents.

Objective 6

To encourage the continued development of cultural and arts-related uses

Strategy 6.1Encourage arts uses to develop within the nominated artsprecinct.

Strategy 6.2Develop incentives for arts-related uses to locate within thestudy area.

Strategy 6.3Encourage opportunities to provide low-cost spaces for artsuses.

Strategy 6.4Support and encourage live music venues in appropriatelocation.

Strategy 6.5Develop new and enhanced flexible event spaces, bothpermanent and temporary.

Objective 5

To encourage a diversity of living opportunities

Strategy 5.1Provide for more intensive housing in appropriate areasincluding strategic redevelopment sites.

Strategy 5.2Support the development of family-friendly housing thatincorporates areas where children can play.

Strategy 5.3

Encourage a range of dwelling sizes suitable for families withchildren, couple families and single person households.

Strategy 5.4Encourage the development of student housing to supportexisting education uses.


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Objective 7

To promote the effective use of underutilised land

Strategy 7.1

Encourage appropriate new development on strategicredevelopment sites, including space above and around trainstations.

Strategy 7.2Encourage additional housing development above ground flooruses in identified locations.

Strategy 7.3Encourage further intensification in areas where there arelimited constraints and conflicts with surrounding areas.

Strategy 7.4Encourage further development in close proximity to the YarraRiver to capitalise on its amenity whilst ensuring that newdevelopment mitigates impacts associated with the motorway.

Strategy 7.5Discourage significant areas of surface carparking.

Objective 8

To provide a range of mixed-use buildings and spaces

Strategy 8.1

Encourage upper level office uses above ground floor retail.

Strategy 8.2Incorporate ground floor uses that support key employmentareas and other local businesses.

Strategy 8.3Facilitate upper level office and housing uses above lower levelcommercial uses along Punt Road.

Strategy 8.4Encourage the further development of office uses, particularly

near the Yarra River Corridor, incorporating retail andresidential components.

Strategy 8.5Protect mixed commercial / light industrial activities fromencroachment by residential uses.


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Save Dimmeys. Swan St Structure Plan 4.5.1.1 & 4.5.1.2

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