711 . 4099 452 GEE:B .· Geelong Regi 0 nal Commission ~~ ------------c--------~ -------:--- ----- -~- ~ \ DPUG LIBRARY ....,_____,___,-=------.~· THE C 0 R I0 8 AY FORESHORE -STUDY PLANN&N.G AND EPA liBRARY PORT PHILLIP CONSULTANTS :- . BUCHAN, LAIRD & BAWDEN PTY. LTO. SPRANKLE, LYND & SPRAGUE INTERNATIONAL ELDON BECK, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT ,.-------------_F_O_R...., :- GEELONG REGIONAL COMMISSION 4549436 CNR. FENWICK & LITTLE MALOP SToS GEELONG. 3220 The Corio Bay foreshore • study ISBN-0-7241 6202 X CORIO BAY FORESHORE STUDY · - I 1 .. ,·- ~:C· .•• ·~ ~=-~-- -C_~J. - J Geelong Regional Commission FOREWORD This Report is unique in its endeavours to establish a unified landscape design concept for the ongoing development of prime foreshore areas of Corio Bay whith are under the control-of several local authorities. It•s aim is to assist these authorities by establishing guidelines for future works. It•s goal is to capitalise on the beauty and interest that Corio Bay provides and to max1m1se and encourage the wide range of uses this area offers to pebple. The proposals put forward by Mr. Eldon Beck complement the existing· features of the foreshore, such as the historic Wool Stores precinct and will contribute substantially·to the concept of Geelong as.the 11 City by 11 the Bay • The crescent of Corio Bay from Rippleside Park to the Limeburners Kilns is effectively the 11 front door .. to ·Geelong. It is through this 11 door 11 that we hope many thousands of tourists will enter our City and participate. in the hospitality; entertainment ahd retail activities that it offers. In the period between the engagement of Eldon Beck and th~ completion of his Report, some new opporttinities have arisen in respect to the achievements of the City by the Bay. project. For example~ the Geelong Regional Commission is now p~rchasing the Commonwealth Office Block and abutting land~ As a result; this area will now be available t6 be used .. for other activities, some consistent with the tourism objectives of City by the Bay, which will involve some adjustment. In general however, the Report puts forward recommendations that may be adopted to ensure that Geelong ultimately has a foreshore area of significance. I take this opportunity to thank the· representatives of the Geelong City Council, the Geelong West Council, the Port of Geelong Authority, and the Coastal Unit of the Ministry for Planning and Environment who, tbgether wtth this Commission, .made up a Working Committee, and express my appreciation of their input in guiding the preparation of the report ·to ~nsure that the final document is such that it makes a real social contribution to the people of Geelong. Whilst the Report reflects the 11 general feeling 11 of the Committee, there were in fact differing opinions on some issues. The Report has been adopted by the Geelong Regional Commis~ion but has not yet been considered in detail by all of the other parties. 1 In releasing Eldon Beck•s Report, it is a desire of the Geelong Regional Commissioners that it be accepted by all local authorities undertaking works in this crucial section of the foreshore. The Commission would also be happy to receive comments from any member of the public or any interested organisation in respect to the recommendations put forward by Mr. Beck. Enquiries or comments should be addressed to Mr. D. Matthews (Director of Planning and Architecture). C.K. A·TKINS, CHAIRMAN, GEELONG REGIONAL COMMISSION. October, 1985 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 7 PLANNING AREA 9 PLANNING. PROCESS 9 PROJECT PLANNING PRINCIPLES 10 COMMUNITY SYSTEMS: 11 A. LANDSCAPE THEMES 13 B. CULTURAL & HISTORIC FEATURES 19 c. RECREATION USES 24 D. AUTO & BICYCLE CIRCULATION 26 PLANNING UNITS 33 A. RIPPLES IDE PARK 35 B. THE ESPLANADE 46 c. WESTERN BEACH 55 D. THE MARKETPLACE GARDENS 64 E. EASTERN BEACH 101 F. EASTERN PARK 116. 5 INTRODUCTION The interface of a community with the water's edge presents environmental, visual, and recreational opportunities of excep­ tional public value and interest. The characteristics of the 1and/water edge in terms of temperature, humidity, sound, 1i ght, change in scale, wildlife, etc., affect all human senses. In nature, where the ecosystems of land and water merge, an area is created termed the .. ecotone ... This edge is uncommonly rich with great variety of life, exchange, encounter, and abundance of plant and animal species. The ecotone principle is true also for our urban developments, for the activities associated with the union nf land and wat~r have, potentially, a wider diversity of activity and activities. Thus, the water's edge is an extraordinary resource, deserving of care and attention, and must be utilized for maximum benefit to residents of the community ~nd the region. The City of Geelong and related cities are prominently located on Port Philip Bay, along a major circulation route between Melbourne and popular southern coastal resorts. The Geelong Coastal Dis­ trict is one of 9 coastal planning districts identified in Port Philip Bay by the Port Philip Authority. The coastline of the Geelong Coastal District has been significantly altered from its natural state by industrial and port activities concentrated iri the north, and residential and commercial development in the south. Interspersed are some attractive parklands and most impor­ tantly a partially developed open space corridor along the Corio Bay edge. Early planning decisions in the development of the City of Geelong, the City of West Geelong, and the Shire of Corio, were prudent in preserving the edge of Corio Bay for access and use by the public. Although the land is narrow in some places, with some gaps breaking total public access and not yet adequately developed to serve broad public needs, sufficient space is available and a variety of environments exist which provide the opportunities for unique and valuable public recreational experiences. The prox­ imity of the central business district of Geelong to the bay's edge, the location of important public and civic buildings adja­ cent to the commercial center, the excellent reservoir of historic and visually interesting buildings, all contribute to an urban fabric of rare opportunity in support of the enhancement of the public bay edge. To ensure that future improvements are consistent with overall - principles and policies for the Corio Bay edge, this comprehensive I assessment of the area has heen initiated. Proposed improvements I must be seen in context with broad public objectives. The focus of the study is upoo the continuity of the visual, environmental and recreational qualities of the bay edge public open space I system. I The study has been prepared by Buchan, Laird & Bawden, Pty. Ltd., Architects, a firmoriginating in Geelong in the early 1900's and now with offices in Melbourne and Geelong, in collaboration with the internationally known firms of Sprankle, Lynd and Sprague International and Eldon Beck, Landscape Architect, of San Franci sea, Ca 1i forni a. 7 8 dVW XliJ ~N01~3~ ___ , J...'VS: OIHOO:::> I r ~ PLANNING AREA The area of study extends from the Limeburner's Point Area along the east shore of Eastern Park, westward to and including Ripple­ side Park, a shoreline area termed th~ "crescent". The areas defined as planning units include Rippleside Park, The Esplanade, Western Beach, the Central Area, Eastern Beach and Eastern Park. -The study concentrates on the bay edge recreation spaces but considers the character and impacts of circulation, landscape, adjacent uses, and visual connections to adjacent residential and commercial developments. · PLANNING PROCESS Under the guidance of the Geelong Regional Commission;· the Geelong Harbourfront Landscape Design Working Committee was established to guide and review the planning study. The committee includes members of the Geel ong City Counci 1, Geel ong West City Counci 1, Port of Geelong Authority, and the Geelong Regional Commission. Issues raised in reports prepared by the Port Philip Authority were considered in the development recommendations. The process included the preparation of an assessment of the bay edg~ public spaces to identify successful and/or unsuccessful characteristics within each planning unit. The purpose of the site assessment was to identify favorable characteristics and features to be retained and enhanced. and to identify the problem areas requiring change. After review of the assessment with the Committee, a 1i st of preliminary observations was prepared accom­ panied by a map to initially identify recreational opportunities with recommendations for physical improvements. With response to the initial recommendations, this report has been prepared to further describe long range development recommendations. The report is organised into a total of seven sections. The first section provides information on community systems developed for the overall study area. These systems are presented within the categories of Landscape Themes, Cultural and Historic Features, Recreation Use Zones and Auto and Bicycle Circulation. The remaining sii sections ~~esent the individuai planning units (see fig. ). Each section includes a Site Assessment of the existing conditions, major Goals, and Concepts and Design Guidelines for long range development. 9 PR.OJECT PRINCIPLES In the preparation of goals and objectives for the overall systems maps and for each planning unit, broad planning principles have evolved applicable to the total Crescent study area. As a guide to decision making, they are: · • TO MAINTAIN THE CONTINUITY OF THE PUBLIC OPEN SPACE SYSTEM. • TO ENHANCE THE INDIVIDUALITY AND UNIQUE ENVIRONMENTAL CHARAC­ TERISTICS OF EACH PLANNING UNIT. • TO GIVE PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO A SEQUENCE OF SPECIAL PLACES WITH ATTENTION TO DETAIL AT PLACES OF INTEREST AS RECREA­ TIONAL, HISTORICAL OR COMMERCIAL DESTINATIONS. • TO EMPHASIZE ACCESS TO THE WATER 1 S EDGE, PHYSICALLY AND VISUALLY. VISUAL CORRIDORS FROM WITHIN THE COMMUNITY MUST BE MAINTAINED WITH MAXIMUM.VISUAL OPENNESS AT THE ENDS OF PUBLIC STREETS. • TO EMPHASIZE BOATING AND WATER SURFACE ACTIVITIES. • TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STOPPING, RESTING, SITTING, VIEWING FOR AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE IN AS MANY LOCATIONS AS POSSIBLE.