• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

Page 64 of 133 Maribyrnong River Valley Vision and Guidelines – Draft for Consultation, April 2006 of land uses and level of public access that can be provided. The Port Environs Plan is also considering the need for a buffer between port activities and development on adjoining private land. Further detailed assessment is required of any proposals for new nodes or strips of activity to ensure their viability at specific sites. However as an indication, based on the above site selection criteria, the following locations have been identified as possible candidate sites for nodes of activity: 9 Cordite Avenue Bridge as part of the Maribyrnong Defence Site redevelopment 10 Downstream (eastern) end of Defence Site Maribyrnong, as part of its redevelopment. 11 Pipemakers Park, as part of a connection to the Highpoint Activity centre 12 Flemington Racecourse, near Farnsworth Avenue Bridge 13 Between Smithfield and Dynon Roads along the east bank of the river 14 Joseph Road/ Heavenly Temple precinct. Consistent with the general objectives listed in Appendix A, those sections of the river between activity nodes, and the upper lengths in particular, should remain free of commercial and public facilities that generate intensive recreational activity. Page 36 Page 65 of 133 Maribyrnong River Valley Vision and Guidelines – Draft for Consultation, April 2006 Existing conditions at potential node sites on the Maribyrnong Fenix restaurant on the Yarra River Page 37 Page 66 of 133 Maribyrnong River Valley Vision and Guidelines – Draft for Consultation, April 2006 Map 14: Trail network Page 38 Page 67 of 133 Maribyrnong River Valley Vision and Guidelines – Draft for Consultation, April 2006 4.8 Trail network There is generally good trail access along the river bank in parts of the valley but there are a number of gaps where new paths are needed to create a continuous trail on both sides of the river. There are five pedestrian river crossings but more are needed. Opportunities for new river crossings to create loop trails and improve access, include: 1. Linking Brimbank Park to an expanded area of open space in the Sunshine quarry area. 2. Linking Sunshine North with Avondale Heights 3. Linking the Steele Creek parkland and the future Defence Site Maribyrnong open space 4. Linking Edgewater Lake to Fisher Parade It is also desirable to improve public access within the Footscray and Port lengths generally, on both sides of the river. There are, however, port operational and security concerns which currently prevent increased access to the riverbank in many port areas. The question of access is discussed further in section 8.2. There are also six road bridge crossings and two rail bridge crossings (excluding the trestle bridge). These are important opportunities for walking and bike crossings but in most instances, the walking access is very poor or non-existent. Installing stairs directly from the trail to the existing bridge footpaths would make these effective pedestrian crossings for only a modest cost. Also for a modest cost, the two rail bridges in the Footscray length could be made effective pedestrian crossings by attaching an outrigger walkway and stairs. (An example of this is the Rushall rail bridge over Merri Creek.) There is also a significant opportunity to create a trail network along the open space corridor at the top edge of the valley at Avondale Heights and Sunshine North. Moonee Valley City Council has already commenced design work on this in parts of Avondale Heights. There are a number of schools within one kilometre of the river and an upper level trail could provide bike access to these schools as well as for general commuting. Being on the upper level it would be less remote (and therefore be safer and feel safer) than the riverside trail. It would also be relatively flat and avoid the steep descent into and out of the valley. Where major urban intensification exists or is planned within the river valley, such as at the Highpoint Activity Centre/Defence Site Maribyrnong, then good road links should be planned and made between the urban centre and the recreational attractions of the river. A management plan is needed to limit unwanted trail users – for example, trail bikes bringing noise and danger to walkers, and horses bringing weeds in their manure to the upper reaches. Measures could include legislative penalties and/or restrictive landscape devices. Page 39 Page 68 of 133 Maribyrnong River Valley Vision and Guidelines – Draft for Consultation, April 2006 Map 15: Valley access Page 40 Page 69 of 133 Maribyrnong River Valley Vision and Guidelines – Draft for Consultation, April 2006 4.9 Valley access Access to the upper lengths of the river for people who want to walk generally depends on the motor car. There are limited opportunities to access the valley using local bus services in the middle and upper lengths. Significant parts of the valley are within a five kilometre bike ride of a railway station. Bike access combined with train is good in the lower lengths but poor in the upper lengths. There is good potential for bike links to the valley from the Sydenham rail line. Tram routes cross or come close to the river at a number of places in the lower lengths. Page 41 Page 70 of 133 Maribyrnong River Valley Vision and Guidelines – Draft for Consultation, April 2006 Map 16: Lengths of the river Page 42 Page 71 of 133 Maribyrnong River Valley Vision and Guidelines – Draft for Consultation, April 2006 5. Preferred character This study is based on identifying character types – in this case river valley character types – and identifying what aspects of that character should be reinforced or conserved, what aspects should be repaired, and where a new character should be created. Determining the preferred character is based on community values and planning objectives. The general approach to managing character is to reinforce the valued characteristics that are particular to the river in its entirety and to particular ‘lengths’. In order to understand the impact of changes along the river valley, these lengths have been defined as shown on Map 16. Each length comprises one or more ‘reaches’ or segments which share similar characteristics. Within the study area for the guidelines these reaches are grouped into seven lengths: 1. Brimbank 2. Avondale Heights 3. Steele Creek 4. Maribyrnong 5. Racecourse 6. Footscray 7. Port. The lengths provide a starting point for identifying preferred character and developing specific river health, landscape, development, access, use and heritage objectives. Along the whole length of the river valley, seven lengths with distinctive characteristics have been identified. 5.1 The potential of the lengths Brimbank Park length The naturalistic and remote character of this length is its most valued characteristic. Work carried out by park staff in pest plant control and revegetation has restored much of the natural feel of this length. The park caters for a vast array of users and plays an important part in the recreation opportunities for the people of the west and north-west. There is a need to continue striking a balance between recreation and conservation/revegetation outcomes. There is a need to control urban intrusions in order to maintain the uninhabited and remote feel of the length. Avondale Heights length The naturalistic and remote character of this length is its most valued characteristic. Part of this length includes areas that have an uninhabited feel. This character is under threat, facing significant change from recently approved development taking place. There is potential to reinforce the characteristics by ensuring new development is landscaped to create a more ‘natural’ or naturalistic condition. Steele Creek length All of the public open space is in the form of urban parkland with some ‘natural bush’ areas. Some of the parkland is little more than mown grass. Downstream of Cordite Avenue Bridge to the ‘horseshoe bend’, the river is in a relatively natural setting with an absence of beaching on the Defence Site Maribyrnong side. On the Avondale Page 43 Page 72 of 133 Maribyrnong River Valley Vision and Guidelines – Draft for Consultation, April 2006 Heights side a combination of raised terraces and escarpments are not developed and retain a natural quality. With the proposed redevelopment of the Defence Site Maribyrnong and redevelopment of the Highpoint Activity Centre, there are opportunities to enhance the urban river setting of this length, including conservation measures, secluded riverbank settings and creation of significant areas of public open space within the valley. Maribyrnong length All of the public open space is in the form of urban parkland with minor ‘natural bush’ areas. There are numerous sporting and tourist facilities. Riverside boulevards and formal shared paths along both banks take on a promenade function in the locations with more pedestrian activity. Racecourse length This is an open flat landscape typical of river floodplains. The vast, open scale of the landscape is its defining feature and valued characteristic. Footscray length Along this length there is a strong urban river setting with commercial fishing, ship repairs and tourist boating. There is an active river edge – access road, goods rail line, wharves and jetties. There are numerous bridge crossings – a freight rail line and a pedestrian bridge over a historic stock crossing forming the northern boundary of the length. A spectacular aspect – day and night – is the view to Swanson Dock. There is potential for further mixed use urban intensification on both sides of the river. This could entail new advanced manufacturing, service and employment intensive industries. Port length Along this length there is a strong working river with commercial fishing, ship repairs, tourist boating, chemical storage and container ports. There is an active working river edge – access road, goods rail line, wharves and jetties.

Load more

  70

Copy Link