MARIBYRNONG RIVER VALLEY A SHARED VISION FOR A VIBRANT RIVER APRIL 2010 CALDER FWY BRIDGE MINISTER’S FOREWORD The Guidelines also contribute to the KEILOR PARK Government’s wider vision for a more The Maribyrnong River is one of Melbourne’s liveable, sustainable city, as outlined in BRIMBANK most loved and well-used rivers. the Melbourne 2030: a planning update – 1 PARK Melbourne @ 5 million, where people have Thousands of Melburnians spend time access to high quality housing, transport, relaxing along it every day – from its source community facilities and open space. above the Organ Pipes National Park through the suburbs of Keilor, Essendon, In addition, the Guidelines establish for KEILOR EAST Footscray and Yarraville to where it meets the first time a Maribyrnong River Valley the Yarra River near the West Gate Bridge. Coordinating Committee, which will oversee strategic planning along the river valley. Coordinated planning is essential to protect and enhance the Maribyrnong River’s Membership of the committee will include natural and built environment for current Brimbank, Hume, Maribyrnong, Melbourne and future generations. and Moonee Valley councils, the Department of Planning and Community Development Maribyrnong River Valley Design Guidelines and Parks Victoria. ESSENDON is an overarching framework to help achieve greater planning consistency along the By working together we can protect river valley. and enhance the special qualities of the Maribyrnong River Valley for everyone, The Guidelines set out a broad vision for now and into the future. a healthy, vibrant river with quality open space, good walking and cycling trails and sensitive development that protects the river’s natural and urban features. SUNSHINE NORTH 3 Many agencies contributed to the 2 CORDITE development of these Guidelines: Brimbank, Justin Madden MLC AVONDALE BRIDGE Hume, Maribyrnong, Melbourne and Moonee Minister for Planning HEIGHTS Valley Councils, the Department of Planning and Community Development, Parks Victoria, Melbourne Water and the Port of Melbourne Corporation. ASCOT VALE MARIBYRNONG Brimbank length – a natural river The Maribyrnong River Valley offers a wide variety of MAIDSTONE 1 The remote character and natural features public open space for residents and visitors – from natural of this length of the river are its most valuable assets. In terms of future 0 1 2km 4 bushland, secluded gorges and formal parks to historic FLEMINGTON development, there is a need to strike RACECOURSE wharves, industrial heritage and spectacular views over a balance between protecting these natural FLEMINGTON the Port of Melbourne. values and providing facilities for residents and visitors. KENSINGTON The Maribyrnong River is part of the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri people Steele Creek length – a secluded river and their ancestors have frequented its banks for at least 40,000 years. The river 2 Here the river flows through a steep valley with significant vegetation along its banks has also played a significant role in Melbourne’s development as a city. FOOTSCRAY including prominent river red gums. It is In the second half of the 19th century much of Melbourne’s industry was located important to preserve the remote character 5 along the river but since the closure of many factories in the 1960s and 1970s of this part of the river by ensuring new development is minimised or setback and SEDDON the waterway upstream from the Port is fast becoming a place of recreation appropriately landscaped. Redevelopment of 6 and leisure. sites such as the Defence Site Maribyrnong will allow the creation of significant areas of Today the Maribyrnong River supports a range of native vegetation and animals. public open space. WEST 7 MELBOURNE The upper river valley includes native grasslands, escarpment shrublands Maribyrnong length – a suburban river COODE and woodlands and provides a habitat for a range of mammals and bird species. 3 This part of the river has a long history of ISLAND recreation and leisure. There are numerous YARRAVILLE Maribyrnong River Valley Design Guidelines focus on the characteristics of the sporting facilities, formal open parks, picnic areas and cafes in the area. Retaining an river valley that need to be conserved, repaired or enhanced. To help guide active, people-friendly environment will be future development, river has been divided into seven sections or ‘lengths’, each a priority for this length. with a preferred character type. Racecourse length – river flats 4 Here the river opens out into broad river flats. Visible from the water’s edge is Flemington Racecourse, the home of Australia’s most famous horse race, as well as a range of suburban housing. Future development needs to remain relatively discrete to retain the sense of an open floodplain. CALDER FWY BRIDGE KEILOR PARK MARIBYRNONG BRIMBANK 11 PARK RIVER VALLEY G KEILOR EAST C ESSENDON G D 33 SUNSHINE NORTH 22 E CORDITE AVONDALE BRIDGE HEIGHTS H F ASCOT VALE MARIBYRNONG MAIDSTONE 4 0 1 2km 4 N FLEMINGTON RACECOURSE FLEMINGTON I KENSINGTON Footscray length – an urban river 5 Melbourne’s early industrial history is prominent here. Old wharves and FOOTSCRAY warehouses are clearly visible and there is 5 a mix of industrial uses and medium density 5 housing. With spectacular views of the Port of Melbourne, this is where is the working SEDDON 6 heritage of the river can be celebrated. 6 Footscray Wharf length – an urban river A 6 This area on the western bank of the river 7 WEST is tied to Melbourne’s industrial and B 7 MELBOURNE commercial fishing industries. However, its COODE proximity to major petrochemical facilities ISLAND and the Port of Melbourne means it is YARRAVILLE not suitable for residential development. Its future is likely to include some public access to the river and redevelopment as a commercial marina. Map key 7 Port length – a working river 6 River length Shipping and heavy industrial activities Primary study area define and dominate this part of the river. There is potential for further industrial and River channel commercial development that could include Transition points between river lengths advanced manufacturing, maritime and A Priorities for action service industries that have a strategic need to be near the Port of Melbourne. ‘A healthy river flowing through a continuous network of open spaces and cultural landscapes that reflect its journey from a natural river to a working river. A river that provides a range of recreation experiences that value local landform and landscape character and preserve cultural heritage, including significant plantings. A river that supports indigenous vegetation and fauna.’ PRIORITIES FOR ACTION The following is a summary of high priority actions for achieving the vision and preserving and enhancing the preferred character of the Maribyrnong River. These priority actions are for the river valley from the Organ Pipes National Park through to the river mouth near the West Gate Bridge. This includes areas upstream of the current Urban Growth Boundary called the Hume and Brimbank Green Wedges. Some actions are already underway but most will commence over the next five years. IMPROVING RIVER ENLARGING THE OPEN SPACE CORRIDOR IMPROVING PRECINCT GOVERNANCE One of the major aims of these Guidelines is to maximise the PLANNING To achieve the vision and broad amount of public open space along the Maribyrnong River and There are a number of critical objectives outlined in the provide a consistent framework for how it should be managed. locations along the Maribyrnong Maribyrnong River Valley Design Actions include: River where more detailed, Guidelines, a coordinated > Creating linked parkland along the river – further residential integrated planning is required governance structure for the development in the upper reaches of the river valley will be avoided to improve access and amenity. river valley will be established and funding sought to acquire suitable areas for public open space. Actions include: as a two-year trial. > Ensuring nodes of activity > Enhancing public amenity at Footscray Wharf A and the Port Membership of the new complement the river of Melbourne B – work is being carried out on a non-riverfront environment Maribyrnong River Valley path linking the Maribyrnong Trail with the Bay Trail. Options for – nodes of activity Coordinating Committee will maximising views of the Port of Melbourne’s Swanson Dock are such as small-scale cafes include Brimbank, Hume, being explored. and visitor facilities will Maribyrnong, Melbourne and be encouraged where they Moonee Valley councils, the > Investigating an Upper Maribyrnong Linear Park – work will complement the local Department of Planning and be carried out to determine the boundaries of a proposed Upper environment and create a direct Community Development and Maribyrnong River Linear Park as part of the Green Wedge relationship with the river. Management Plans, currently being prepared by Hume and Parks Victoria. > Creating points of transition Brimbank City Councils. Although individual projects will between river lengths – clear remain the responsibility of > Undertaking strategic planning in Sunshine North C – detailed transitions between each river each agency, the committee planning has been undertaken between Orbital Drive and Balfour length will be designed to create will oversee the planning of all Avenue, Sunshine North to establish preferred land uses and an abrupt but artful change of priority actions on public and identify areas of open space and native