3. River Interface Character Types Analysis 24 3.1 Lower Yarra River Interface Character Types Analysis of the landscape river Introduction interface character types within The landscape, topographic and built form character of the This chapter identifies a number of issues that can be Lower Yarra River corridor has been documented through addressed through the planning scheme which include: the Lower Yarra Corridor is the research, field surveys and analysis of mapping data and aerial first step in understanding how photography. • Maintaining a canopy of mature trees and existing vegetation as the dominant visual element in all parts of the river’s environment and The study area has been divided into five ‘river interface the river corridor. landscape can be protected and character types’ based on areas of common landscape, built • Minimising the visual impact of buildings, structures, form and topographical characteristics. In some cases, a fencing and earthworks within the river’s landscape. This is managed into the future. particular river interface character type may occur more than a key consideration where developable land is located near once, in a separate geographical location. The five different or adjacent to the river environment. river interface character types, illustrated on the map on the • Where buildings, structures or fencing are visible from the following page, include: river, ensuring they are designed to reflect the landscape Type 1: Leafy Suburban character of the context. • Protecting the natural landscape elements of riparian Type 2: Urban Residential vegetation and bank topography. Type 3: Current & Ex-Industrial • Ensuring that the design principles for the Lower Yarra River corridor as a whole landscape are consistent across Type 4: Motorway each municipality and implemented through the three Type 5: Parklands and Recreation planning schemes as relevant to that area. • Ensuring that the approach to management of public land The characteristics of each type are outlined in detail, and is also consistent with the overall vision for the Lower Yarra address the following specific elements: corridor. • Key Features This analysis informs the desired siting and design outcomes • Topographic & Landscape Character for new buildings, structures and fencing (e.g. setbacks, height, design detail etc.) that are discussed in the following chapters. • Land Use & Built Form • Pattern of Viewing • Other Values • Potential Threats to Values • Current Management. Lower Yarra River Corridor Study Recommendations Report November 2016 25 25 BANYULE CITY COUNCIL DAREBIN CITY COUNCIL NORTH BALWYN BOROONDARA CITY DONCASTER ROAD COUNCIL T E T E R FAIRFIELD E T E S BELMORE ROAD R H G T I H S BALWYN S S E C D ALEXANDRA PARADE D N A A I O O R R R P D D N N A A Y Y O O W W R R L HNSTON STREET COTHAM ROAD L E JO E A ABBOTSFORD KEW A K K B B R AD R U PARK RO U B Y B STUDLE YARRA CITY COUNCIL vICTORIA STREET BOROONDARA CITY COUNCIL BRIDGE ROAD RICHMOND HAWTHORN MELBOURNE CITY COUNCIL BURNLEY CREMORNE TOORAK LOWER YARRA RIVER CORRIDOR STUDY SOUTH YARRA RIVER INTERFACE CHARACTER TYPES T E E R T 2 S E L D STONNINGTON CITY COUNCIL kms D O H Character Types Leafy Suburban Urban Residential LEGEND Parklands and Recreation Local Government Boundaries Current & Ex-Industrial Yarra River Motorway Recommended Area of Management 26 Lower Yarra River Corridor Study Recommendations Report November 2016 3.2 Leafy Suburban River Interface Character Type The Leafy Suburban river Topography & Landscape Pattern of Viewing interface character type The river passes through higher ground in Toorak and parts The character type is mostly viewed from via the Main Yarra of Hawthorn and Kew, where the land rises steeply from the Trail, the Yarra Boulevard, the extensive network of open comprises established residential river’s edge to the elevated, undulating topography of hilltops spaces along this part of the river corridor, and from the neighbourhoods along the river’s and ridgelines beyond. River flats feature prominently as the waterway itself. Key viewing locations also include the road river passes through Hawthorn and East Kew, where residential crossings of the Chandler Highway Bridge, Wallen Road edge. neighbourhoods are located beyond the floodprone land at Bridge, Walmer Street Bridge, Johnston Street Bridge, Victoria the river’s edge. Bridge, Hawthorn Bridge and MacRobertson Bridge, as well as the Hawthorn and Heyington rail bridges. The 2005 ‘Review of Policy and Controls for the Yarra River Gardens within this character type are well established with Corridor: Punt Road to Burke Road’ identified residential a mix of native and exotic species. Substantial trees and neighbourhoods adjoining the river in Toorak, Hawthorn, Kew understory landscaping have matured to form a consistent Other Values and Alphington as ‘Leafy Suburban’. and distinctive vegetative character. The tree canopy sits These neighbourhoods have a distinctively well-treed above the rooftops to form an almost continuous backdrop Other values associated with this landscape include: character, which complements the landscape character of the of vegetation for immediate and longer range views from the river and key viewing points. • The Yarra River is the traditional land of the Wurundjeri river corridor. people. The waterway and surrounding land continues to Key Features However, there are also examples of newer development hold a high value to Aboriginal people today. where vegetation has been removed and replaced with tennis • The Heritage Overlay is applied extensively within this Key features of the Leafy Suburban river interface character courts, swimming pools and pavement, which has resulted in character type, and includes residential precincts and type include: a distinctly reduced tree canopy backdrop in some locations. individual sites of heritage significance. • Established residential neighbourhoods, either adjoining • Landscape, vegetation and environmental values are the river directly or located immediately beyond the Land Use & Built Form recognised and protected through the application of local parklands and recreation areas along the river corridor. Planning Scheme overlays. • Mature trees and understorey planting throughout Land is predominantly used for residential purposes, and private and public land (of exotic and native species), comprises a mix of dwelling types generally set within Potential Threats to Values which creates a consistent tree canopy throughout each established gardens. In elevated areas, built form is particularly visible on the river neighbourhood - described as the ‘Yarra Backdrop Areas’ in There is a wide range of approaches to the siting and design banks and ridgelines. Existing issues include the removal the Middle Yarra Concept Plan (1990). of buildings within the immediate context of the river. For the of vegetation, buildings that occupy a high site area with • Mostly single or double storey dwellings, often set most part, sensitive building siting and design has assisted in little space for landscaing, use of light coloured or reflective spaciously apart. the retention of the river’s highly vegetated and naturalistic materials and buildings that protrude above the predominant character. This includes maintaining a low site coverage to • Undulating topography which includes lower areas tree canopy height. Buildings or areas of hard landscaping allow space for new planting and retention of existing trees on adjoining the river flats and steeper rises from the river’s constructed close to the river have had a significant impact the site. Most buildings are 1-2 storeys in height and rooflines edge. upon its landscape quality. The trend for larger homes generally sit below the tree canopy. While built form is often • Main Yarra and Capital City Trails and public parkland and subdivision can exacerbate these issues. In addition, visible, it is usually well screened by riverside vegetation. providing access along the river’s edge. construction of jetties or hard paving at the river’s edge to Buildings are sited at a range of setbacks, reflecting the varied allow private access to the water can also impact upon the topography and floodprone nature of the land in some waterway environment. locations. Most buildings are at or beyond a setback of 30 metres, however, there are also instances of development set closer to the river, up to 10 metres from the river’s edge. Current Management Several sites feature prominent buildings or hard landscaping, Land within this river interface character type is mostly zoned such as tennis courts, swimming pools and terracing, close Neighbourhood Residential or General Residential, with a to the river’s edge. These works have required excavation small area of Residential Growth Zone. Institutional uses are which results in substantial modification of the river’s natural included in the Special Use Zone. A range of overlay controls topography and a loss of vegetation to screen development apply to precincts and selected sites on both sides of the river, from the river. Some sites also feature high fences near to including the Design and Development Overlay, Significant the river which are visually prominent and impact on the Landscape Overlay, Environmental Significance Overlay and appearance of a continuous flow vegetation along the Heritage Overlay. riverbank. Lower Yarra River Corridor Study Recommendations Report November 2016 27 27 3.3 Urban Residential River Interface Character Type The Urban