DOCKLANDS PUBLIC REALM PLAN MELBOURNE Disclaimer Places Victoria Information presented in this Places Victoria (successor to VicUrban) Docklands Public Realm Plan is is the Victorian Government’s land Contents generally based on site analysis development agency, helping to meet undertaken in 2011 and 2012 and the challenges of population growth knowledge of current development and increased housing demand. Places plans and masterplans. As such Victoria facilitates large-scale urban 01. Executive summary information is subject to change. renewal – for residential and mixed-use Purpose...... 006 This analysis is provided as a broad purposes – within established areas of resource only and while care has Melbourne and strategic locations in been taken to ensure the content regional Victoria. Its activities promote of the report is accurate, we cannot housing affordability and diversity and guarantee that it is without flaw. best practice in urban and community 02. Introduction There may be errors or omissions or design. Places Victoria uses commercial may not be wholly appropriate for skills to deliver housing choice to the Scope...... 010 your particular purposes. market, increasingly in established Vision...... 016 areas, providing partnership The City of Melbourne accepts no opportunities for the private sector Strategic directions ...... 017 responsibility and disclaims all liability and encouraging the delivery of high Design principles...... 018 for any error, loss or other consequence quality, affordable and sustainable which may arise from you relying on dwellings. The name, Places Victoria, Understanding Docklands...... 020 any information contained in this Plan. reflects the organisation’s emphasis on creating communities right throughout Note: Images in this Plan are provided Victoria with a particular emphasis on for illustrative purposes only and are urban renewal. subject to change. Base maps require 03. Public spaces periodic review and revision to accord City of Melbourne Introduction...... 023 with current conditions in the built In 2007, Docklands was officially environment and revised proposed integrated into the municipality of Public space overview ...... 024 development plans and masterplans. the City of Melbourne, becoming its Design Principles and Guidelines...... 030 youngest neighbourhood. The City The State Government, under the of Melbourne’s responsibility is to plan Design Checklist...... 052 Minister for Planning, is the responsible for the continuing growth in Docklands, Key public spaces...... 054 planning authority for developments while delivering quality community in Docklands over 25,000m2. services and programs to ensure the Places Victoria, on behalf of the State area’s prosperity and sustainability. Government, manages the delivery of development in Docklands. In July 2010, the City of Melbourne 04. Public streets and routes became the responsible planning authority for developed areas in Introduction...... 077 Docklands. The City of Melbourne Street and route overview...... 078 will continue to acknowledge the important role that Docklands plays Design Principles and Guidelines...... 082 in the strategic development of the Design Checklist...... 100 whole city through the Municipal Strategic Statement. The City of Melbourne focuses on generating long-term quality outcomes, promoting multi-centred, mixed-use compact 05. Key projects and implementation city living. The City of Melbourne also focuses on providing well-designed Key projects – Public open spaces...... 108 public spaces and buildings that will Key projects – Public streets and connections...... 109 september 2012 thrive economically and improve the quality of life for residents and workers, while welcoming visitors.

The City of Melbourne supports diverse 06. Appendix housing alternatives that meet the Appendix 1 – Relevant documents and policies...... 112 needs of Melbourne’s existing and future population, using commercially Appendix 2 – Background facts...... 114 viable models of development. On 29 June 2012, the Minister for Planning Appendix 3 – Glossary...... 147 announced that the City of Melbourne Appendix 4 – Governance...... 148 Credits would become the responsible Full page images: planning authority for developments in Appendix 5 – Methodology...... 149 Nicholas Hansen, Mutiny Media. Docklands of areas less than 25,000m2.

DOCKLANDS PUBLIC REALM PLAN 003 01 Executive summary

Docklands will capture the essence of Melbourne’s waterways by embracing the Yarra River, Victoria Harbour and Moonee Ponds Creek.

Docklands will have a seamless network of welcoming public streets and waterfronts and a well-linked family of diverse public spaces that provide a choice of experiences, activities and journeys, for many people at various times of the day and night and throughout the seasons.

Victoria Harbour Promenade.

DOCKLANDS PUBLIC REALM PLAN 01. Executive Summary 005 Executive summary

Wonderful public spaces, waterfronts and streets Purpose Purpose of this Plan Key guiding principles are at the core of the world’s most liveable cities The overarching purpose of this Docklands The key design principles recommended for including Helsinki, Vancouver and Melbourne. Provide a strategic companion document Public Realm Plan is to provide long-term public spaces and streets in Docklands are We all share the same understanding that to the Docklands Design and Construction strategies, principles and guidelines for the listed below. the design of beautiful and functional public Standards for Public Infrastructure Works design and programming of the public realm spaces impacts positively on our quality of (City of Melbourne, 2012). life. A well-designed public realm provides to support the Docklands Community and 1 A choice of journeys, significant benefits to citizens, tourists and Place Plan . Diversity of use Outline the value of the public realm. experiences and activities. investors, including civic pride, an increase in retail spend and safe places. This Plan clarifies important requirements for An authentic part Provide an overview of challenges and Identity of place public space, waterfront and street design to of Melbourne. opportunities in the Docklands context. Since the redevelopment of Docklands began all professionals engaged in the facilitation, 16 years ago, a network of public spaces design, approvals and implementation of the Minimise uptake of Sustainability including lanes, streets and waterfront public realm. Professionals include both Provide clarity to developers, designers and natural resources. promenades has been established for the private and public sector representatives. government regarding long-term strategies, The Plan applies a consistent approach to principles and guidelines for the design and 7,000 residents and 25,000 workers that use Positive addresses to all streetscapes of Docklands. programming of public streets and spaces. this area today. Future streets and spaces are Interfaces streets, waterfronts and planned to support the continued expansion public spaces. of Docklands. These strategies, principles and guidelines Demonstrate how design principles may be are supported by the detailed companion applied to streets and spaces. High standard of comfort document, Amenity With Docklands entering into its next decade Docklands Design and Construction and convenience. of evolution, Places Victoria and City of Standards for Public Infrastructure Works Provide briefing notes for the design of key (City of Melbourne, 2012). The Standards set out Melbourne have spent time engaging with public spaces. Genuine community the mandatory technical requirements for civil, thousands of Melburnians to articulate and Community participation in the design landscape and infrastructure works that will be refine a community vision for this important Provide a checklist of design principles. and use of the public realm. and unique place in Melbourne. A vital and owned by or vested in the City of Melbourne. high quality public realm is a priority for the Identify future projects for public spaces Excellent links within local community. and streets. Connectivity Docklands and to surrounding areas. This vision, as identified in theDocklands Community and Place Plan sets out three Key spatial strategies important themes: This Docklands Public Realm Plan demonstrates This document outlines key spatial strategies how these spatial strategies and principles can for Docklands, including: be applied to public streets, routes and spaces. 1 Capturing the essence of Melbourne It outlines important considerations and minimum in the Docklands experience. • Three memorable waterfronts: programming requirements for key public harbour, river, creek. spaces, while also identifying projects for 2 Creating a 21st century city. future implementation. • A network of diverse public spaces This Plan is a public document. It will be of most Embracing Melbourne’s urban waterfront. for many people. 3 help to those who are responsible for facilitating, • Seamless connection with Melbourne: designing, assessing or implementing future interventions in the public realm. In order for the community to realise this promenades, streets, lanes. vision, a series of recommended strategies, The Public Realm Plan is supported by the principles and guidelines are required to assist Department for Planning and Community the design of public streets, routes and spaces Development, Places Victoria and the City of over the next decade. Melbourne. It is envisaged that the Plan will inform future amendments to the Melbourne Strategic Planning Scheme.

1 Docklands Community and Place Plan (July 2012) summarises engagement with thousands of Melburnians and sets out a community vision.

DOCKLANDS PUBLIC REALM PLAN 01. Executive Summary 007 02 Introduction

…provide long-term strategies, principles and guidelines for the design and programming of the public realm…

Webb Bridge, Yarra River.

DOCKLANDS PUBLIC REALM PLAN 02. Introduction 009 Scope

Definition of the Area public realm This Plan applies to the area shown in the Public realm includes all Location Plan. The boundary represents the publicly accessible areas legal suburb boundary known as Docklands including public spaces, within the City of Melbourne municipality. streets and routes. The Plan considers important relationships with neighbouring areas. Public spaces include waterways, parks, squares, forecourts, promenades and creek corridors. Building infrastructure

Public streets and routes include streets, lanes, arcades, bridges and overpasses. KENSINGTON PARKVILLE

CARLTON This Plan focuses on three Buildings key elements that define FITZROY NORTH the quality of public realm: MELBOURNE PORT OF MELBOURNE • Users and uses Street trees The people and activities that take EAST MELBOURNE place in public realm. CENTRAL CITY

• Interfaces Study Area Physical elements that Materials / Vegetation address, enclose and/or define the spaces, streets or routes; typically built form and/or trees. FISHERMANS BEND SOUTHBANK Users / Events • Design Spatial arrangements and physical elements. SOUTH MELBOURNE

PORT MELBOURNE Street Furniture, lighting and public art / Landmarks

Port Phillip Bay Public spaces

Location Plan – Docklands Streets Docklands suburb boundary City of Melbourne municipality boundary

Fig 2.01 Main elements that define the public realm. Fig 2.02 Location Plan.

DOCKLANDS PUBLIC REALM PLAN 02. Introduction 011 Scope

Application Docklands Design and Key public streets, spaces and waterways Construction Standards The recommended principles and guidelines outlined in this Plan apply to all publicly The Docklands Public Realm Plan is a strategic WEST accessible areas in Docklands, regardless of companion document to the revised Docklands MELBOURNE ownership status. The companion document, Design and Construction Standards for E-GATE Docklands Design and Construction Public Infrastructure Works. REET ST Standards will be mandatory for all areas FOO EY T currently under the City of Melbourne’s SCRA DUDL The ‘Standards’ set out the mandatory Y K ROA control or to be transferred to the City when technical standards for civil, landscape and D EE completed. infrastructure works that will be owned or

vested in the City of Melbourne. The content DS CR EET TR Time period of the document includes detailed information E S E ROB PON 6 T that apply to standard spaces, routes and 1 LA EE This Plan applies to the period 2012–2022. street types, including: H ARBOUR DOCKLANDS DRIV Civic Place 4 5 CENTRAL MOON CITY Currency of Information • design and approvals process Park PORT OF 3 SP • functional and spatial design criteria E Square MELBOURNE SPL Docklands is a dynamic and continually E 7 NC Forecourt evolving urban development. This provides • approved standard materials and elements. ANAD 2 E a challenge to the currency of visual material R S Promenade T E Creek Front included in this Plan. The plans and maps The Standards are a practical tool for T R EE EET TR achieving the strategies, principles and VICTORIA HARBOUR E S W Unbuilt shown in this document aim to communicate an 9 BOURK URUND appreciation of the public realm as a continuous guidelines outlined in this Plan. M Temporary Park 13 COLLINS S E and integrated environment. All plans that RC T 10 JE REET H 11 show future scenarios are subject to change. AN 8 RI REET T W 12 T S LINS S A COL Y 20 T 15 Y R ARRA RIV EET 19 EET ER TR ERS S 1. Develop brief 14 FLIND 18 Strategic Guidance Develop brief for open LORIM ER S 16 space or street INGL TREET Docklands Public Realm Plan (2012) E 17 City of Melbourne/Places Victoria S S T R Long-term strategies, principles and guidelines for EET FISHERMANS BEND the design and programming of the public realm 2. Concept Design WEST GATE Pre-planning review FREEWAY

Technical Guidance 1 Moonee Ponds Creek 11 Victoria Green 3. Detailed Design ExistingExis publicting space public space 1 2 Western Park 12 Wharf Park Docklands Design and Construction FutureProposed public space public space Approvals and 3 New Quay West Park 13 Sir John Coode Park Standards for Public Infrastructure Works TemporaryTemporary park public space construction drawings 4 New Quay Central Park 14 Collins Landing (City of Melbourne, 2012) WaterwayWaterway 5 New Quay Promenade 15 Queens Warehouse ExistingMasterplan building footprint under review Design and approvals process, approved standard 6 Digital Harbour Park 16 Seafarer’s Rest Under construction/ committed materials and elements and functional and spatial 7 Harbour Esplanade 17 Yarras Edge Promenade 4. Complete design building footprint design criteria for the public realm 8 Docklands Park 18 Point Park Handover and management 9 Victoria Harbour Promenade 19 Yarra’s Edge Central Park 10 Dock Square and Bourke Dock 20 Yarra’s Edge West Park

Fig 2.03 Mutually reinforcing companion documents. Fig 2.04 Key public streets, spaces, and waterways.

DOCKLANDS PUBLIC REALM PLAN 02. Introduction 013 The value of the public realm

The most liveable cities in the world are testimony to the value of great public streets and spaces. Each day our citizens and visitors benefit from Melbourne’s high quality urban spaces in many ways. Docklands benefits from both land and water-based public spaces and routes. A few benefits that excellent design and programming in the public realm2 can provide are listed in Figure 2.05 below.

2 See: The Value of Public Space; Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, 2003 and Social Cities; Grattan Institute, 2012.

COMMUNITY IDENTITY • Informal and formal social • Perception of place connections • Civic pride and connection • Facilities and space for dogs • Appreciation of beauty AMENITY • Play opportunities for childhood • Ease of movement development and enjoyment • Comfort and convenience for pedestrians and cyclists • Wayfinding

SAFETY • Natural surveillance • Crime and fear of crime reduction • Safe and universally accessible environment

ECONOMIC • Long-term prosperity • Investor confidence HEALTH & WELLBEING ENVIRONMENT • Land value uplift • Retail spend increase • Facilities and space • Urban temperature reduction for physical fitness • Potable water reduction • Spaces to relax and unwind • Increase biodiversity • Connection with nature • Fresh air and sunlight

Carlton Gardens, Melbourne Fig 2.05 Excellent design and programming in the public realm brings many benefits.

DOCKLANDS PUBLIC REALM PLAN 02. Introduction 015 Vision Strategic directions

In 2022, Melbourne will continue to be one public spaces that celebrate the city’s Three memorable waterfronts of the world’s most liveable cities with an maritime heritage and distinctive streetscapes. for Melbourne excellent public environment. The public realm Parks, squares, waterfronts, streets and lanes of Melbourne will continue to offer a choice of will appeal to a wide range of citizens and Docklands addresses three distinctive positive experiences for many city users. tourists throughout the day and evening and waterways: Victoria Harbour, Yarra River and throughout the seasons. The local community Moonee Ponds Creek. The renewal of the Docklands will have a well-connected and will be actively engaged in the design and Docklands area redefines Melbourne as a city convenient network of welcoming streets and use of public spaces in Docklands. on the water. The 7 km of waterfront provides opportunities to engage with a variety of river, harbour and creek experiences. An intimate, ‘hinterland’ route provides an alternative experience to the waterfront in response to seasonal weather conditions.

The design of three waterfronts will evolve

over the next decade to become a memorable Fig 2.07 Three memorable waterfronts. Melbourne experience.

A network of diverse public spaces for many people

Docklands will have a well-linked and convenient family of parks, squares and waterfronts that will include both active and passive uses and activities. All public spaces and streets will provide a choice of journeys, experiences and activities for many people at various times of the day and night and throughout the seasons.

Fig 2.08 A variety of accessible public spaces.

Seamless connection with Melbourne: promenades, streets, lanes

Streetscape design contributes to Melbourne’s distinctive identity. Melbourne’s network of welcoming streets, lanes and promenades will connect seamlessly with Docklands. The success of the central city streetscapes will be continued in Docklands by including elegant furniture, consistent materials, majestic street trees, vibrant street frontages, comfortable footpaths, outdoor dining areas and small business stands. Fig 2.06 Impression of Docklands public realm in 2022.

Note: This image is for illustrative purposes only and is subject to change. The image indicates the intended aims of the vision and strategic directions identified in this plan. Fig 2.09 Well-connected Melbourne streets.

DOCKLANDS PUBLIC REALM PLAN 02. Introduction 017 Design principles

The following design principles apply to 02 | Identity of place 04 | Interfaces 06 | Community public spaces, streets and routes. The following sections focus on the application Ensure public spaces respond to embedded Ensure all ground level interfaces Ensure public spaces and streets embrace of these principles to these principles to qualities in Docklands and ensure streetscapes enhance the character and experience public life. Enable community participation public spaces as well as public streets, are in keeping with the essence of Melbourne. of public waterways, streets and spaces. in public space design. routes and promenades.

Victoria Harbour, Docklands. Quay Park, Docklands. Wooden Boat Building Centre launch, Docklands.

01 | Diversity of use 03 | Sustainability 05 | Amenity 07 | Connectivity Provide a range of public spaces and streets to support the needs of current and future Design public spaces and streets that minimise Design public spaces and streets Ensure the public realm network within populations at various times of the day and pressure on non-renewable resources and with high standards of comfort Docklands is well connected and provides night and throughout the year. maximise environmental values. and convenience. seamless links to surrounding areas.

Docklands Community Garden launch. Victoria Harbour promenade. Hardware Lane, Melbourne. Webb Bridge, Docklands.

DOCKLANDS PUBLIC REALM PLAN 02. Introduction 019 Understanding Docklands

The recommendations outlined in this Movement Docklands Public Realm Plan have been informed by an understanding of many relevant Arterial road network spatial, socio-economic and environmental factors. The design of excellent public spaces Public transport and streets requires consideration of these facts. Appendix 2 of this document includes a Cycling summary of the following relevant background Walking material including mapped information. Pedestrian areas

Heritage Shared streets Parking People

Residential populations Built environment Building heights Employment populations Canopies Visitors Public toilets

Land use Distances

City growth areas Scale

Melbourne open space context Views

Waterways: harbour, river, creek Landmarks

Completed development Wayfinding and signage

Ground level uses – public realm interface Environment Active and passive recreation Biodiversity

Public space activities – land Vegetation

Public space activities – water Ground and sub-surface condition

Events Water sensitive urban design

Playspaces Wind patterns

Public art

Materials audit

Central City west context, 1892

DOCKLANDS PUBLIC REALM PLAN 02. Introduction 021