VISUAL ASSESSMENT PRECINCT 04: FRENCHS FOREST ROAD …€¦ · VISUAL ASSESSMENT PRECINCT 04: FRENCHS FOREST ROAD WEST Location This precinct is located on Frenches Forest Road West,

NBH CONNECTIVITY AND NETWORK ENHANCEMENTS : STAGE 1106

VISUAL ASSESSMENT PRECINCT 04: FRENCHS FOREST ROAD WEST

LocationThis precinct is located on Frenches Forest Road West, between Gladys Avenue and Bluegum Crescent, including the Forest High School.

Viewpoints: 19-22 and A. Refer Figure 4-17 to 4-21 and Plates 4-20, 4-21.

Visible elements of the proposal:

• Widening of Frenchs Forest Road (both verges) and associated side street intersections

• Signalisation of Gladys Avenue/ Frenchs Forest Road intersection (associated with the NBH)

• Removal of roadside parking

• New widened footpaths and associated landscaping and street trees

• New bus shelters and signage

• Widened/ formalized vehicle and pedestrian entries and new car parks to the Forest High School

• Closure of service road entry to the Forest High School

• Replacement fencing to the Forest High School

• Removal of existing vegetation including street trees.

Affected viewers:

• Workers and students of the Forest High School

• Residents on Frenchs Forest Road and immediate houses on side streets

• Pedestrians and cyclists

• Road users (assessed separately)

The visual impact on these viewpoints is described in Table 4-12.

Figure 4-17: Key Plan

URBAN DESIGN REPORT AND LANDSCAPE CHARACTER AND VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT 107

Figure 4-18: VAP 04 viewpoint locations

(Source: Background terrain image: Copyright Google, Digital Globe, 2010)

Forest High School Bluegum CrescentNBH site NBH entry

Figure 4-19: VAP 04 aerial oblique view looking south west along Frenchs Forest Road West towards Forest High School and the proposed intersection with the NBH entry road

Tree removal associated with road widening, NBH entry road and intersection widening


Plat

e 4-

20:

Vie

wpo

ints

19-

20, l

ooki

ng a

t Fr

ench

s Fo

rest

Roa

d W

est

fron

tage

of F

ores

t H

igh

Scho

ol

Tree

rem

oval

ass

ocia

ted

with

w

iden

ing

and

the

inte

rnal

car

pa

rk u

pgra

de

Exist

ing

Fore

st H

igh

Scho

ol

serv

ice

acce

ss to

be

clos

ed

Var

ious

exi

stin

g en

try

poin

ts

not e

asily

iden

tifia

ble.

Ran

dom

m

esh

pane

ls in

fenc

e

Var

ious

exi

stin

g bu

s st

op

loca

tions

for

gove

rnm

ent,

scho

ol a

nd e

xcur

sion

buse

s

Tree

rem

oval

ass

ocia

ted

with

ro

ad w

iden

ing,

NBH

ent

ry r

oad

and

inte

rsec

tion

wid

enin

g

Plat

e 4-

21:

Vie

wpo

int

21, l

ooki

ng e

ast

thro

ugh

to s

outh

wes

t al

ong

Fren

chs

Fore

st

Roa

d W

est

at t

he F

ores

t H

igh

Scho

ol

Min

or k

erb

wid

enin

g an

d w

iden

ed fo

otpa

th w

ith li

mite

d tr

ee r

emov

al

Exist

ing

mai

n ca

rpar

k en

try

to

be w

iden

ed

Exist

ing

wes

tern

car

park

ent

ry

to b

e re

tain

edEx

istin

g go

vern

men

t bus

sto

p to

be

relo

cate

d

Exist

ing

bus

turn

ing

bay

to

rem

oved

and

inco

rpor

ated

into

sc

hool

gro

unds


(Source: Background terrain image: Copyright Google, Digital Globe, 2010)

Figure 4-20: VAP 04 aerial oblique view looking west along Frenchs Forest Road West towards Naree Road and the intersection with Forest Way

Existing government bus stop to be relocated

Existing bus turning bay to removed and incorporated into school grounds

Table 4-12: VAP 04 IMPACT RATING

VISUAL ASSESSMENT PRECINCT

SENSITIVITY MAGNITUDE IMPACT

04 Frenchs Forest Road West

Moderate

¬ Partly industrialised/ commercialised mixed with suburban residences

¬ Dense bushland fringes

High

¬ Substantial widening

¬ Substantial vegetation loss..

HIGH TO MODERATE


Figure 4-21: Artists impression A, looking south west at the new signalised intersection servicing NBH next to Forest High School

Fore

st H

igh

Scho

ol b

uild

ings

New

fenc

ing

and

scre

en

plan

ting

to s

choo

l fro

ntag

e

Mai

n en

try

and

carp

arks

re

conf

igur

ed

New

stu

dent

ent

ryN

ew N

BH e

ntry

roa

dN

BH S

ite

New

wid

ened

and

sig

nalis

ed

inte

rsec

tion

NO

TE:

T

his

visu

alis

atio

n ill

ustr

ates

the

urb

an d

esig

n re

com

men

datio

ns t

o be

co

nsid

ered

furt

her

duri

ng d

etai

led

desi

gn d

evel

opm

ent

and

are

subj

ect

to c

hang

e. V

iew

s of

the

NBH

are

bas

ed o

n cu

rren

t in

form

atio

n an

d do

no

t fo

rm p

art

of t

his

asse

ssm

ent.


VISUAL ASSESSMENT PRECINCT 05: NAREE ROAD

Location This precinct is located on Naree Road, between Rabbett Street and Forest Way. The dominant land use in this precinct is residential.

Viewpoints: 23-25. Refer Plates 4-22, 4-23 and Plates 4-22 and 4-23.


• Widening of Frenchs Forest Road (both verges) and associated side street intersections

• Removal of roundabout and replacement with signalisation at Rabbett Street/ Frenchs Forest Road intersection

• Retaining walls about 1 metre high, facing residents

• Low retaining walls, less than 1 metre high, facing road users

• Removal of roadside parking

• New widened footpaths and associated landscaping and street trees

• Tree planting on private property (subject to landowner consent)


Affected viewers:

• Residents on Frenchs Forest Road and immediate houses on Rabbett Street


• Road users (assessed separately).


Figure 4-22: Key plan



Plate 4-22: Viewpoint 24, looking east along Frenchs Forest Road from the intersection with Naree Road

Kerb widening on both sides of Frenchs Forest Road would see existing street trees removed

Existing pedestrian crossing replaced by signalised crossing


Plate 4-23: Viewpoint 25, looking west along Naree Road towards the intersection with Forest Way

Kerb widening on both sides of Naree Road would see existing street trees removed

Embankment associated with the Forest Alliance Church car park would be replaced with a retaining wall

(Source: Background image: Copyright Google, Digital Globe, 2010)




05 Naree Road High

¬ Continuous residential streetscape with suburban traffic volumes

¬ Well vegetated road corridor

High

¬ Widening

¬ Retaining walls facing private property and road users

¬ Vegetation loss including street trees

¬ Footpath widening and landscaping

HIGH


VAP 06: FOREST WAY NORTHLocation: This precinct is located on Forest Way, between Naree Road and the bus stop in front of Forestway Shopping Centre and includes the Forest Alliance Church frontage.

Viewpoints: 26-31. Refer Figure 4-24, 4-25 and Plates 4-24 to 4-26.


• Widening of Forest Way (both verges) and associated side street intersections

• Partial property acquisitions and replacement fencing/ walling

• Signalisation of Naree Road/ Frenchs Forest Road intersection

• Widened intersection with Russell Avenue

• New widened footpaths

• Tree planting on private property (subject to landowner consent)

• Removal of existing vegetation including street trees, particularly next to the Forest Way multi-storey carpark associated with extension of an existing bus stop.

Affected viewers:

• Residents on Forest Way and immediate houses on Naree Road and Russell Avenue

• Workers and customers of Forestway Shopping Centre, as well as small medical related suites on Forest Way



The visual impact on these viewpoints is described in Table 4-14

Figure 4-24: Key plan Figure 4-25: VAP 06 viewpoint locations


Plat

e 4-

24:

Vie

wpo

int

26, l

ooki

ng s

outh

alo

ng F

ores

t Way

from

the

inte

rsec

tion

with

Nar

ee R

oad

Plat

e 4-

25:

Vie

wpo

int

30, l

ooki

ng e

ast

alon

g R

usse

ll A

venu

e to

war

d th

e in

ters

ectio

n w

ith F

ores

t Way

Road

wid

enin

g w

ould

impa

ct

the

curt

ilage

of t

he F

orm

er

Met

hodi

st C

hurc

h bu

ildin

g

Russ

ell A

venu

e an

d ca

rpar

k en

try

larg

ely

reta

ined

Road

wid

enin

g an

d sig

nalis

atio

n of

the

inte

rsec

tion

wou

ld

impa

ct fr

ont b

ound

arie

s of

pr

ivat

e pr

oper

ty a

nd b

usin

esse

s





06 Forest Way Low

¬ Highly urbanised road corridor with heavy traffic volumes

¬ Poor pedestrian environment

¬ Combination commercial/ residential land uses.

Moderate

¬ Widening

¬ Partial property acquisitions


¬ Footpath widening and landscaping.

MODERATE TO LOW

Plate 4-26: Viewpoint 31, looking south along Forest Way from the Forestway Shopping Centre carpark structure

Road widening would impact the curtilage of the Forestway Shopping Centre


VAP 07: WARRINGAH ROAD EAST

Location: This precinct is located on Warringah Road, east of the intersection with Allambie Road. It consists of a mixture of private and residential frontages.

Viewpoints: 26-31. Refer Figure 4-26 and Plates 4-27 to 4-29.


• Widening of Warringah Road, between Allambie Road and Courtley Road to the east

• Widened intersection with Allambie Road, modified intersection with Frenchs Forest Road East

• New widened footpaths

• Tree planting on verges


Affected viewers:

• Residents on the northern side Warringah Road

• Workers of several corporate buildings on the souther side of Warringah Road






Plat

e 4-

27:

Vie

wpo

int

32, l

ooki

ng w

est

at t

he in

ters

ectio

n of

War

ring

ah R

oad

and

Fren

chs

Fore

st R

oad

East

Plat

e 4-

28:

Vie

wpo

int

33, l

ooki

ng w

est

alon

g W

arri

ngah

Roa

d op

posi

te t

he in

ters

ectio

n w

ith F

renc

hs F

ores

t R

oad

East

Mod

ifica

tion

to e

xist

ing

inte

rsec

tion

Exist

ing

resid

ence

s lo

cate

d be

hind

veg

etat

ion

and

boun

dary

wal

ling

Road

wid

enin

g on

sou

ther

n sid

e w

ould

req

uire

the

rem

oval

of

exi

stin

g st

ands

of v

eget

atio

n





07 Warringah Road east

Low

¬ Corporate ‘parkland’ edges with large setbacks

¬ Screened/ walled residential frontages

¬ Exposed pedestrian environment.

Moderate

¬ Widening


¬ Footpath widening and landscaping.

MODERATE TO LOW

Plate 4-29: Viewpoint 34, looking east along Warringah Road toward the intersection with Courtley Road

Distant views of ocean at Dee Why

Large well-vegetated setbacks to corporate buildings


ROAD USER VIEWSRoad user views within the Stage 1 project area have been assessed in order to better understand the visual changes that would be experienced. The views and visual experience of road users are different from ‘road viewers’ and need to be carefully considered in order to promote a visually attractive, stimulating and safe experience for the motorist. The relationship between road user views and urban design principles can improve this driver experience and contribute to a ‘sense of place’.

The visual experience of the road user is similar to other viewers, however they are amplified in some locations eg proximity to the face of a retaining wall and subdued in others eg road surfaces and road furniture. Road user views are also impacted by the speed of the road user and the amount of time available for looking at other elements beside the road. Reduced speed limits and signalised intersections will highlight views. The road user viewing experience is summarised as follows:

• Partially enclosed vegetated corridor with fleeting glimpses or vistas into residential and commercial properties

• Retaining walls in cut

• Sequential street tree arrangement, broken at major buildings entrances, residential driveways and at intersections

• Road surface and associated linemarking, signage and road furniture

• At night, views would be constrained to the road surface itself, with no measures provided in order to reduce headlight glare from oncoming traffic.

The visual impact on road user views is described in Table 4-16.


Tabl

e 4-

16: R

OA

D U

SER

VIS

UA

L IM

PAC

T R

ATIN

G

VAP

SEN

SIT

IVIT

YM

AG

NIT

UD

EIM

PAC

T

Skyl

ine

Shop

sM

oder

ate

¬

Subu

rban

cor

ner

shop

s a

key

attr

acto

r fo

r lo

cal a

rea

Mod

erat

e

¬

Wid

enin

g an

d sig

nalis

atio

n

¬

Veg

etat

ion

loss

incl

udin

g st

reet

tree

s

MO

DER

ATE

Fren

chs

Fore

st R

oad

East

Mod

erat

e

¬

Com

bine

d re

siden

tial/

com

mer

cial

tree

line

d st

reet

Low

¬Si

gnal

isatio

n

¬

Foot

path

impr

ovem

ents

and

land

scap

e.

MO

DER

ATE

TO

LOW

Park

way

Nor

thM

oder

ate

¬

Exist

ing

wid

e pa

vem

ent a

rea

with

bus

hlan

d ed

ges

Mod

erat

e

¬

Subs

tant

ial w

iden

ing

¬

Subs

tant

ial v

eget

atio

n lo

ss.

MO

DER

ATE

Fren

chs

Fore

st R

oad

Wes

tM

oder

ate

¬

Tree

line

d st

reet

¬

Scho

ol fr

onta

ge m

odifi

ed a

nd in

crea

sed

road

furn

iture

Hig

h

¬

Wid

enin

g

¬

Road

furn

iture

¬

Veg

etat

ion

loss

incl

udin

g st

reet

tree

s.

HIG

H T

O

MO

DER

ATE

Nar

ee R

oad

Hig

h

¬

Resid

entia

l tre

e lin

ed s

tree

t

¬

Topo

grap

hy e

mph

asise

s lo

ngitu

dina

l vie

ws

of s

tree

tsca

pe.

Hig

h

¬

Wid

enin

g

¬

Reta

inin

g w

alls

faci

ng p

rivat

e pr

oper

ty a

nd r

oad

user

s

¬

Veg

etat

ion

loss

incl

udin

g st

reet

tree

s

¬

Foot

path

wid

enin

g an

d la

ndsc

apin

g.

HIG

H

Fore

st W

ay N

orth

Low

¬C

ombi

ned

com

mer

cial

/ res

iden

tial s

trip

with

min

imal

str

eet

tree

s

¬

Road

use

r ex

pect

atio

ns o

f visu

al q

ualit

y ar

e lo

w.

Mod

erat

e

¬

Wid

enin

g

¬

Part

ial p

rope

rty

acqu

isitio

ns

¬

Veg

etat

ion

loss

incl

udin

g st

reet

tree

s

¬

Foot

path

wid

enin

g an

d la

ndsc

apin

g.

MO

DER

ATE

TO

LOW

War

ring

ah R

oad

East

Low

¬C

orpo

rate

‘par

klan

d’ e

dges

with

larg

e se

tbac

ks

¬

Scre

ened

/ wal

led

resid

entia

l fro

ntag

es

¬

Expo

sed

pede

stria

n en

viro

nmen

t.

Mod

erat

e

¬

Wid

enin

g

¬

Veg

etat

ion

loss

incl

udin

g st

reet

tree

s

¬

Foot

path

wid

enin

g an

d la

ndsc

apin

g.

MO

DER

ATE

TO

LOW


SECONDARY VISUAL CATCHMENT ZONEThe Secondary VCZ has been determined as an approximate 100 metre wide band around the Stage 1 area.

This zone captures residences, commercial properties and school grounds that are:

• Well away from the proposal

• Often on the other side of a ridgeline and therefore oriented away from the proposal

• Screened by built form

• Situated on more elevated positions and may therefore have glimpses of the proposal.

• May have longitudinal views up or down the proposal due to steel elevation changes.

Generally, many of the residences are screened by vegetation, however some of this vegetation would be reduced as a result of widening in both Stage 1 and the future Stage 2 and therefore opening up views of the Stage 1 proposal, although these views would be limited to small openings between other buildings.

The secondary VCZ is also relevant at the eastern end of Stage 1, where widening of Warringah Road, next to residences and commercial properties would result in partial views of the proposal.

The visual impact on secondary VCZ views is described in Table 4-17.


Tabl

e 4-

17: S

ECO

ND

ARY

VC

Z V

ISU

AL

IMPA

CT

RAT

ING

VAP

SEN

SIT

IVIT

YM

AG

NIT

UD

EIM

PAC

T

01 S

kylin

e Sh

ops

Low

¬Br

oad

ridge

top

terr

ain

with

lim

ited

oppo

rtun

ities

for

long

er r

ange

vie

ws

Mod

erat

e

¬

Wid

enin

g an

d sig

nalis

atio

n

¬

Veg

etat

ion

loss

incl

udin

g st

reet

tree

s.

MO

DER

ATE

TO

LOW

02 F

renc

hs F

ores

t R

oad

East

Low

¬Re

siden

tial a

nd c

omm

erci

al p

rope

rtie

s on

low

sid

e of

rid

ge w

ith li

mite

d vi

ewin

g op

port

uniti

es

Low

¬Si

gnal

isatio

n

¬

Foot

path

impr

ovem

ents

and

land

scap

e.

LOW

03 P

arkw

ay N

orth

Low

¬V

ery

few

res

iden

tial o

f com

mer

cial

pro

pert

ies

with

den

se

vege

tatio

n se

tbac

ks

Mod

erat

e

¬

Subs

tant

ial w

iden

ing

¬

Subs

tant

ial v

eget

atio

n lo

ss.

MO

DER

ATE

TO

LOW

04 F

renc

hs F

ores

t R

oad

Wes

tLo

w ¬

Glim

pses

from

sch

ool b

uild

ings

thro

ugh

cano

py tr

ees

¬

Resid

entia

l pro

pert

ies

on lo

w s

ide

of r

idge

with

lim

ited

view

ing

oppo

rtun

ities

Mod

erat

e

¬

Wid

enin

g

¬

Road

furn

iture

¬

Veg

etat

ion

loss

incl

udin

g st

reet

tree

s.

MO

DER

ATE

TO

LOW

05 N

aree

Roa

dLo

w ¬

Resid

ence

s on

hig

h sid

e (s

outh

) ha

ve p

oten

tial g

limps

es

¬

Resid

ence

s on

low

sid

e (n

orth

) ha

ve p

oten

tial g

limps

es o

f re

tain

ing

wal

ls

¬

Topo

grap

hy e

mph

asise

s lo

ngitu

dina

l vie

ws

of s

tree

tsca

pe.

Mod

erat

e

¬

Wid

enin

g

¬

Reta

inin

g w

alls

faci

ng p

rivat

e pr

oper

ty a

nd r

oad

user

s

¬

Veg

etat

ion

loss

incl

udin

g st

reet

tree

s

¬

Foot

path

wid

enin

g an

d la

ndsc

apin

g.

MO

DER

ATER

TO

LO

W

06 F

ores

t Way

Nor

thLo

w ¬

Pote

ntia

l glim

pses

from

upp

er le

vels

of c

arpa

rk s

truc

ture

an

d sh

oppi

ng c

entr

e

¬

Mos

t oth

er p

rope

rtie

s on

low

sid

e of

rid

ge w

ith li

mite

d vi

ewin

g op

port

uniti

es

Mod

erat

e

¬

Wid

enin

g

¬

Part

ial p

rope

rty

acqu

isitio

ns

¬

Veg

etat

ion

loss

incl

udin

g st

reet

tree

s

¬

Foot

path

wid

enin

g an

d la

ndsc

apin

g.

MO

DER

ATE

TO

LOW

07 W

arri

ngah

Roa

d Ea

stLo

w ¬

Pote

ntia

l vist

as fr

om u

pper

leve

l cor

pora

te b

uild

ings

.

Mod

erat

e

¬

Wid

enin

g

¬

Veg

etat

ion

loss

incl

udin

g st

reet

tree

s

¬

Foot

path

wid

enin

g an

d la

ndsc

apin

g.

MO

DER

ATE

TO

LOW


IMPACTS DURING CONSTRUCTION

Road Construction and stagingConstruction of the Stage 1 project would be undertaken in stages to minimise disruption on road users and maintain safety of pedestrians. Staging details would be determined during the detailed design stage.

SafetySafety of students attending Forest High School would be a major priority during construction. Footpaths are to be clearly delineated, with barriers wherever possible in order to provide safe passage next to construction areas.

Site CompoundA site compound would be located to the south east of the proposal at the corner of Allambie Road and Aquatic Drive. The immediate area consists of a combination of industrial and commercial properties, as well as care facilities such as the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Centre.

With Allambie Road providing an alternative route between Frenchs Forest and Manly, truck access to the compound would likely inhibit some traffic flows periodically.

The compound and stockpile areas would be located behind an existing building and would be screened by vegetation from most viewpoints (refer Figure 4-27 , 4-28 and Plates 4-30, 4-31). In order to mitigate visual impacts mesh screening and temporary landscape treatments would be required. Other environmental controls such as noise and dust would also be required.

Visual impact relating to the site compound is assessed in Table 4-18.

Figure 4-27: Key plan Figure 4-28: Site compound viewpoints


Plat

e 4-

30:

Vie

wpo

int

34, s

ite c

ompo

und

site

loca

ted

behi

nd a

n ex

istin

g bu

ildin

g on

Alla

mbi

e R

oad

Plat

e 4-

31:

Vie

wpo

int

35, s

ite c

ompo

und

loca

ted

behi

nd e

xist

ing

vege

tatio

n on

pri

vate

pro

pert

y

Com

poun

d sit

e lo

catio

n be

hind

ex

istin

g bu

ildin

g

Com

poun

d sit

e lo

catio

n be

hind

ex

istin

g ve

geta

tion


Tabl

e 4-

18: S

ITE

CO

MPO

UN

D V

ISU

AL

IMPA

CT

RAT

ING

TY

PESE

NSI

TIV

ITY

MA

GN

ITU

DE

IMPA

CT

Prim

ary V

CZ

Low

¬Pr

imar

ily c

omm

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4.4 VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT SUMMARY

Table 4-19: PRIMARY VCZ VISUAL IMPACT RATING

VAP SENSITIVITY MAGNITUDE IMPACT

01 Skyline Shops Moderate Moderate MODERATE

02 Frenchs Forest Road East Moderate Low MODERATE TO LOW

03 Parkway North Moderate High HIGH TO MODERATE

04 Frenchs Forest Road West Moderate High HIGH TO MODERATE

05 Naree Road High High HIGH

06 Forest Way North Low Moderate MODERATE TO LOW

Table 4-20: SECONDARY VCZ VISUAL IMPACT RATING

VAP SENSITIVITY MAGNITUDE IMPACT

01 Skyline Shops Low Moderate MODERATE TO LOW

02 Frenchs Forest Road East Low Low LOW

03 Parkway North Low Moderate MODERATE TO LOW

04 Frenchs Forest Road West Low Moderate MODERATE TO LOW

05 Naree Road Low Moderate MODERATE TO LOW

06 Forest Way North Low Moderate MODERATE TO LOW

The visual impact assessment summary for the Stage 1 project is described in Table 4-19 and 4-20. Potential impacts in the Primary visual catchment zone are generally higher than that in the secondary zone due to proximity to the Stage 1 project and reduced viewing opportunities. Secondary zone locations are often 50 metres away from the road and would be separated by topography, vegetation and built form.

In the primary zone, the greatest potential impacts would be experienced Frenchs Forest Road West, Naree Road and the intersection of Frenchs Forest Road with Wakehurst Parkway.

Elsewhere, visual impacts would be at more easily acceptable levels and are considered reasonable for the type of work proposed.


OVERVIEWThis section describes the mitigation measures that have been included as part of the Stage 1 proposal, described in Section 3 of this report and a summary of further mitigation measures to be considered during the detailed design and construction phases of the project. They have been developed in accordance with the urban design and landscape objectives and principles outlined in Table 1-3 in Section 1 and the urban design and landscape strategy summarised in Table 3-1 in Section 3 of this report.

MITIGATION INCORPORATED IN THE CONCEPT DESIGNThe integration of the engineering and performance objectives with urban and landscape design objectives for the Stage 1 project, aims to produce a design outcome that fits sensitively with the existing qualities and characteristics of the area. In order to achieve this, a range of mitigation measures have been incorporated into the project as the concept has developed. These measures combine to develop a solution that seeks to protect and enhance the existing visual character of the area.

The mitigation measures that have been undertaken in response to the principles and objectives, during the development of the urban and landscape design concept for the Stage 1 project are summarised in Table 3-1.

Mitigation measures for the Stage 2 area will be discussed further in the Stage 2 EIS report, however they would be linked to the Stage 1 mitigation measures through the combined landscape character impact assessment.

MITIGATION TO BE INCORPORATED INTO DETAILED DESIGNSubject to the approval of the project being granted, it is recognised that further work will be required to develop the final urban design and landscape plan. Whilst development of the concept design has attempted to mitigate the overall impact of the concept proposal with a focus on the Stage 1 project’s major project components, their design and integration within the study area’s landscape and cultural setting, opportunities will arise during detail design to further refine the design of the project to produce enhanced urban design outcomes.

The urban design objectives and principles outlined in Section 1, together with the urban design and landscape concept included in Section 3, would be used to further guide the detailed design of key project elements of the road network and public domain areas.

A summary of the key mitigation and management strategies that would be considered during the detail design phase of the project is provided in the following table:

4.5 MITIGATION MEASURES


Table 4-21: SUMMARY OF URBAN DESIGN AND LANDSCAPE MITIGATION MEASURES TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE STAGE 1 DETAILED DESIGN

MITIGATION LOCATION FOR USE REQUIREMENT

Replacement of street tree planting

¬ All streetscapes impacted by the proposal

¬ Private property to approval of property owner.

¬ Assists with visual and character impact mitigation

¬ Refer species selection and procurement guidelines

Landscape screen planting

¬ Residential streetscapes along Frenchs Forest Road West, Naree Road and Warringah Road

¬ Forest High School frontage and along service road

¬ Terracing to retaining walls

¬ Assists with visual and character impact mitigation

¬ Landscape buffer screening for sensitive residential ‘receptors’.

Landscaped verges ¬ New footpaths on Allambie Road (north), Forest Way and Warringah Road

¬ Where separation from kerb would benefit pedestrian comfort in higher speed limits or where screen planting not required

Exposed rock in cuttings ¬ Intersection of Wakehurst Parkway with Frenchs Forest Road

¬ Subject to further investigation. Where exposed rock cannot be used revegetate or provide stone clad retaining walls

¬ Stone rubble and crushed sandstone from cuttings to be reused into the proposal.

Retaining wall finishes ¬ Any retaining wall facing private property or facing proposed road upgrade

¬ Walls to be stone clad or stone block construction

¬ Stone types to be sourced sandstone from the greater Sydney region

Retaining wall design ¬ All retaining wall locations ¬ Terrace walls and provide planting on benches

¬ Taper ends of walls and integrate with other new or existing walls

Improvements to pedestrian network

¬ All streetscapes impacted by the proposal ¬ Design widened footpaths and form continuous routes

¬ Ensure connection with key attractors and existing footpath links.

Reinforcement of bicycle network

¬ Warringah Council’s regional connections along Warringah Road and Wakehurst Parkway

¬ Ensure as a minimum on-road facilities are provided.

¬ Preference for on-road or separated facilities where possible.

Water sensitive urban design

¬ Private property ie Forest High School

¬ Traffic islands where suitable

¬ Between road upgrades and sensitive bushland

¬ Intercept road runoff prior to entry into pit and pipe drainage and sensitive bushland areas if possible

¬ Filter runoff to improve water quality prior to entry into these systems

Widening reductions ¬ Wakehurst Parkway next to bushland

¬ Forest Way next to the former Methodist Church

¬ Consider reduction in bus priority where feasible

¬ Consider lane width reduction


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Following an analysis of landscape context, the development of objectives, principles, strategies and mitigaion measures, an assessment of landscape character and visual impact has been undertaken in accordance with Roads and Maritime guidelines. The results of this assessment has been incorporated into the concept design and has been recommended for further consideration in both the Reference Design and Tender Design’s, once the concept proposal and Stages 1 and 2 be approved in their entirety.

The landscape character and visual impact assessment of the proposal represents a qualitative assessment based on the landscape character zones, which have been determined based on an investigation of landscape and cultural context and an analysis of land use, vegetation, topography and scenic values. Impacts have been determined and measures proposed In order to address these impacts.

While the proposal would have the potential to provide a more efficient transport system along all corridors, maintain and improve access for pedestrians and cyclists, overall, the proposal would result in substantial impacts on both landscape character and visually, as experienced by road users and sensitive receptors.

This would be particularly evident along the suburban east-west corridors, of Stage 1, particularly Naree Road and Frenchs Forest Road West, as well as Warringah Road in the eastern section of the Stage 1 area. Similarly to landscape character impact, visual impact would be greatest along the east west corridors, primarily due to the magnitude of the work proposed as well as the close proximity of residential viewers.

The north south transport corridors have a lesser magnitude of work proposed in Stage 1 and are more resilient to change. Along Forest Way the work would be occurring in an established urban area, which has capacity to absorb change. On Wakehurst Parkway an existing signalised intersection would be widened resulting vegetation loss in an existing vegetated corridor and few residents would be impacted.

The concept proposal including Stage 2, comprises a greater magnitude of work along the major corridors of Warringah Road and Wakehurst Parkway, resulting in greater impacts should both stages be undertaken. A detailed discussion of these impacts would be undertaken in the Stage 2 report.

In order to mitigate visual impacts within this urban bushland setting, special consideration would be required in all landscape character areas of the concept proposal. Special consideration should be applied in order to maintain the well-vegetated, pedestrian scale, streetscape environment of Frenchs Forest Road and Naree Road, as well maintaining the parkway character of Warringah Road.

Key stakeholder locations, including Forest High School, the Forest Alliance Church and Skyline Shops, require detailed design considerations, which are to be developed further in subsequent design stages.

5. CONCLUSION


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REFERENCES

ROADS AND MARITIME SERVICES (FORMERLY RTA) REFERENCES AND GUIDELINESRoads and Traffic Authority of NSW, Landscape Guideline, April 2008.

Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW, Towards a more Sustainable RTA: RTA’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy, June 2010.

Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW, Climate Change Plan 2010 to 2013, September 2010.

Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW, Shotcrete Design Guidelines, 2005.

Roads and Maritime Services, Beyond the Pavement, Urban design policy, procedure and design principles, 2013.

Roads and Maritime, Environmental Impact Assessment Practice Note, Guideline for landscape character and visual impact assessment, 28th March 2013.

CONCEPT PROPOSAL REPORTSSMEC, Northern Beaches Hospital Connectivity and Network Enhancements Environmental Impact Assessment Report, 2014.

RPS Manidis Roberts, Northern Beaches Hospital Connectivity and Network Enhancements Statement of Heritage Impact, Stage 1 area, Heritage Constraints, Concept Proposal, July 2014.

Lyall & Associates, Northern Beaches Hospital Connectivity and Network Enhancements Drainage Investigation Report, 2014.

BACKGROUND REPORTSKI Studio, Northern Beaches Hospital Precinct Supporting Road Network - Urban Design Framework, September 2013.

SMEC, Northern Beaches Hospital Connectivity and Network Enhancements Preliminary Environmental Investigation, 2014.

VISUAL ASSESSMENT PRECINCT 04: FRENCHS FOREST ROAD …€¦ · VISUAL ASSESSMENT PRECINCT 04: FRENCHS FOREST ROAD WEST Location This precinct is located on Frenches Forest Road West,

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