I Williamstown Foreshore I Development Study I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I- I I
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
I I I I!:~~~ ~ ,..,.,..,. I -- I I I I I ·1 I I I WILLIAMSTOWN FORESHORE I DEVELOPMENT STUDY I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I- I I I I I I I I I I I I WILLIAMSTOWN FORESHORE I // I DEVELOPM·ENT STUDY I I I Prepared for I CITY OF WILLIAMSTOWN I I I I· . Kinnaird Hill deRohan and Young Pty Ltd ~ I 5.82 St Kilda Road I Melbourne 3004 I 711.4099 4549997 I 451 WIL: W Williamstown foreshore development study ,I I Kinnaird Hill deRohan and Young Pty Ltd I I I CONTENTS I I 1.0 SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS 2.0 INTRODUCTION I 2.1 Background to Study 2.2 Aims of the Study I 2.3 Development Strategies Considered 3.0 EXISTING CONDITIONS I 3.1 Description of the Leasehold 3.2 Areas adjacent to but outside the Leasehold I 4.0 METHOD OF STUDY 4.1 Init~al Studies 4.2 Public Exhibition I 4.3 Submissions following the Public Exhibition I 5.0 DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY A 5.1 Description 5.2 Compatibility with Planning Criteria and Public I Submissions 5.3 Technical Feasibility 5.4 Financial Considerations I 5.5 Summary of Strategy A I 6.0 DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY B 6.1 Description 6.2 Compatibility with Planning Criteria and Public Submissions I 6.3 Financial Considerations I 6.4 Summary of Strategy B '7.0 STRATEGY C I 7.1 The "00 Nothing" Alternative I I I Kinnaird Hill deRohan and Young Pty Ltd I I I I CONTENTS (Cont'd) I APPENDIX A Wind and Tide Data APPENDIX B Boat Sizes and Licence Holders I I -APPENDIX C Questionnaire and Comments Sheet I APPENDIX D References I FTGnRF.S I FIG. 1 -Location Plan FIG. 2 Williamstown Region I FIG. 3 Plan of Lease Area I FIG. 4 Strategy A - Layout 1 FIG. S Strategy A Layout 2 I FIG. 6 Strategy B I I I- I I I I I Kinnaird Hill deRohan and Young Pty Ltd I to SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS I \ I The City of Williamstown is required by the terms of its lease of an area of Hobsons Bay to prepare a plan for the development of the I leasehold to the satisfaction of the Melbourne Harbor Trust. This report is pursuant to this requirement. I The report identifies three development strategies which are the basic alternativ~s available to the Council. These are: I Strategy A Large scale marina. Strategy B Small scale improvement by the construction of a pier just north of Ferguson Street pier. I Strategy C Delay large capital works. The Strand foreshore is enjoyed by many visitors and residents for its I boating activities and its general character and view across the bay. Black swanS and pelicans at present inhabit the shore and inlet to the I north of the area. Th~re are many uncertainties about areas adjacent to the le"as,ehold. The Melbourne Harbor Trust expansion plans affect the safety of the area for pleasure boating. The future use of certain areas of land and shoreline I in the Williamstown area may provide alternative opportunities for recreational boating. I A large scale marina as described in Strategy A has several disadvantages: (a) It would have high capital cost, and would not be viable I without a substantial subsidy. (b) Increased traffic congestion in the Strand is inevitable. I (c) There is the prospect of increased danger in the shipping channels. (d) Space for prov1s1on of a full range of marina facilities I is very limited. (e) There would be need for land reclamation for car parking I and other facilities. I (f) Some adverse effect on bird life can be anticipated. (g) The character and outlook of the area would be altered. Public expenditure of the order required by this scheme requires further I s"tudY of more suitable alternative sites. I - 1 - I 1 Kinnaird Hill deRohan and Young Pty Ltd I. I 1.0 SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS (Cont'd) 1 the Council may prefer not to develop the area, however this line 6f action would require further negotiation with the Melbourne I Harbor Trust Commissioners as to the future of the lease. A compromise Strategy B has been identified which has the 1 following factors in its favour: (a) The capital cost is much lower and the scheme could I be virtually self supporting. (b) It retains the character of the area. I (c) A small increase in the number of fixed moorings is in accordance with requests from boating organizations. (d) The activities of Williamstown Sea Scouts and Williamstown I Sailing Club would not be adversely affected. 1 (e) Bird life would not be affected. This is the strategy favoured by the Consultants if the Council does, in fact, wish to make some improvement to mooring facilities 1 in this particular area. 1 I 1 -I 1 ' .. I 1 - 2 - ·1 'I ',." • t' • - .~'';'-'" I' i• . ..,.' :", I ',' .! ,t, t,,:Y, . ,,. I .~.. , . r;1,., ; :: .,' ,,;'7'" ':::}.. ", I' ',:: :'!\ ':, I .. :. " 1 i... .... < "#,, I I I ,"",: I '"'' I -, 1 '.:~: I ,I I I I \ -' " \ I I' I ") .. ,'.,:.' . I .:; . ..... ~ I I to Bp-ndlioo' Albury I I I I I I I I I I I PORT PHILLIP BAY I I Site I Main Roads Railway Lines I Other Mooring Facilities I LOCATION PLAN I o 5 10 1-1 ____Sl ------.1 Kilometres Figure 1 I I Kinnaird Hill deRohan and Young Pty Ltd I I 2.0 INTRODUCTION I I 2.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY The City of Williamstown leases an 18 hectare area of Hobsons Bay adjacent to tpe Strand from the Melbourne Harbor Trust Commissioners. I The lease states that the area and all buildings "erected thereon are to be used exclusively for the purposes of beautification and public recreation". The Council as lessee is required to prepare a plan for the development of the leasehold to the satisfaction of I the Melbourne Harbor Trust and carry out the works before 31st December, 1982. This study is therefore pursuant to these conditions of the lease. The lease expires qn 31st December, 1997 I and is renewable subject to certain conditions. The future of the leasehold will be affected by trends and I developments occurring in the population of the Melbourne area and in physical developments occurring in the environs of the leasehold including: I (a) An increasing population with greater affluence and leisure time will put a greater demand on the coastline of Port Phillip Bay for recreational, commercial and I waste disposal purposes. Increasing pressure for the preservation of areas of natural fore~hore for aesthetic and conservation purposes is to be expected to resist I the moves towards increasing development in coastal areas. (b) When complete, the West Gate Bridge will provide I improved access to the City of Williamstown and relieve congestion on the existing access roads to the area. It is anticipated that improved access will place greater I development pressures on Williamstown and increase the demand for recreational facilities. I (c) The Port of Melbourne is reaching the limit of capacity of its existing land and berths. The increasing size of ships and projected rapid increase in tonnage of cargo to be handled by the Port has resulted in plans I for extending the Port facilities at the mouth of the Yarra. The Harbor Trust intends to widen and deepen the river shipping channel by the end of this decade I and to continue land reclamation for the expa?sion of Webb Dock. I (d) The reconstruction of Newport Power Station is proposed to include a sea wall to direct the warm disch~rge I water away from the ~shoreline. The effect of this on I - 3 - I Kinnaird Hill deRohan and Young Pty Ltd I I 2.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY (Cont'd) I currents and silting conditions in the leasehold should be determined. It is being considered in the course of I the environmental study of the power station project. (d) The use of large land holdings in the WilliamstoWn I area can be expected to change at various times in the future, providing opportunity for new developments. Two of these areas presently under review are the I Williamstown Rifle Range and Military Reserve. 1 2.2 AIMS OF THE STUDY I This study aims to identify the opportunities and constraints for development in the leasehold. It seeks to take account of I the opinions of parties interested in the area. Public participation has been encouraged throughout the preparation of this report. I The study offers the Council courses of action which can form the basis of a submission to the Melbourne Harbor Trust under I the terms of the lease. In the initial briefing for this study, the Reser~es, Foreshore and Properties Committee stated that the following were I desirable aspects of any development proposals: (a) Prevent an increase in traffic cong~stion in the Strand. I (b) Improve the present boating facilities. (c) Protect the mooring areas from the effects of waves I· and wash from shipping. (d) The facilities and foreshore should be accessible to I the public as far as possible. (e) Preserve the commanding view of the Melbourne city and I suburbs. (f) Preserve the general character of the foreshore. I (g) Avoid interference with the feeding areas for black swans and pelicans to the north-west of the lease .area. I - 4- Kinnaird Hill deRohan and Young Pty Ltd I I I 2.3 DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES CONSIDERED Several schemes for the improve~ent of boating facilities in the leasehold have been developed by the Consultants for the I purposes of discussion during the study.