Background Report Southbank Structure Plan November 2009 Design and Planning at AECOM Disclaimer This report is provided for information and it does not purport to be complete. While care has been taken to ensure the content in the report is accurate, we cannot guarantee that the report is without flaw of any kind, there may be errors and omissions or may not be wholly appropriate for your particular purposes. In addition, the publication is a snapshot in time based on historic information which is liable to change. The City of Melbourne accepts no responsibility and disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information contained in this report. 00 3 Contents 0.0 Introduction 1.0 Planning Review INTRODUCTION 2.0 Physical Analysis 3.0 Urban Density Study 4.0 Utilities Capacity Review 5.0 The Vision for a Sustainable Southbank DESIGN AND PLANNING AT AECOM SOUTHBANK STRUCTURE PLAN 00 4 0.1 Executive Summary N This Background Report for the Southbank Chapter 1 reviews and analyses the physical Chapter 2 analyses the physical structure of Chapter 3 analyses the redevelopment of Structure Plan provides a comprehensive outcomes of the Melbourne Planning Scheme Southbank. The key issues identified include: blocks in other global inner urban cities. The review and analysis of Southbank from a policy and the relevance of Design and Development the importance of Southbank as an arts and key outcomes include: and physical perspective. Overlays (DDOs) over the last decade. The key entertainment precinct; that residential land use only accounts for up issues identified include: TRODUCTIO It identifies that although Southbank contains the eastern edges of the suburb contain to half the development of inner city blocks; N I nationally and regionally important facilities, at that current strategies underway in significant heritage value; that residential towers contain inflexible living this moment it is an unsustainable suburb. The Southbank respond mainly to public realm that Southbank has only recently become a spaces that cater for specific demographic suburb has been developed to maximise the improvements without clarity on an over residential suburb and lacks the social and types whereas edge block typologies allow density of development and vehicles without arching response to the future of Southbank community amenity to support it; for a much greater diversity; and due regard for appropriate provision of public in its entirety; that better street conditions contain and local amenity and infrastructure. a dominance of vehicular infrastructure that the Melbourne Planning Scheme throughout the suburb; overlooking at upper levels not just at the requires updating to make specific provision ground floor level. for the future of Southbank to inform its a lack of adequate usable public open space emerging character and built form; within the suburb; that an active response to the issues of a poor quality of streetscape and pedestrian Climate Change Adaptation is required, amenity; in particular, the expansion of stormwater an over provision of private car spaces; harvesting and reuse, the need for a greater a lack of adequate parking during evenings proportion of green open space and an close to entertainment venues; upgrade of infrastructure; and that the grain of Southbank prevents that a greater diversity of population adequate permeability restricting movement demographics is required to provide a and creating inflexible blocks for future diverse community. development; that the study area is well serviced by north/ south public transport routes; and that 3 of the 6 Future Melbourne Goals - A City of People, An Eco City, and A SOUTHBANK LAND AREA Connected City - are lacking in Southbank. 1,576,877m2 SOUTHBANK STRUCTURE PLAN DESIGN AND PLANNING AT AECOM 00 5 Chapter 4 presents a review of the findings from the Stage 1 baseline component of the Sustainable Infrastructure Study. This baseline maps the location and capacity of the current network of water, gas and electricity systems. The key findings of this study are to be incorporated into this Background Report INTRODUCTION by December 2009 when Stage 1 of the Sustainable Infrastructure Study is complete. Chapter 5 presents the vision for Southbank and the critical objectives specific to create a Sustainable Southbank. The vision for a Sustainable Southbank is: 252/HA Jobs/ha “An inclusive, diverse and resilient place that exemplifies the ecological, Y 41/HA densit community and commercial prosperity of a sustainable urban district, whilst People/ha Dwellings Cars/ha 58 /ha 41 1.3 per dwelling41 enhancing its presence as a world class cultural and arts precinct in the heart of 0 Primary School re Secondary School U 0 University Melbourne’s parkland and riverfront. ct E 1 U ” 0 Library nfrastr 0 Sports Centre Y I C 10 Cultural Centre / Institutions nit 40 Cafes / Restaurants U ) S omm Y 0 Medical Services L / C + 0 Childcare store ( ocia S 4 Convenience Shopping to range 1 92 T ccess eigh A S H DESIGN AND PLANNING AT AECOM SOUTHBANK STRUCTURE PLAN 00 0.2 Purpose of the Study 0.3 Structure of the Reports 7 The purpose of the Background Report is This study has also developed a vision for This Background Report comprises 5 chapters. study. to undertake a comprehensive review of a Sustainable Southbank. The vision was Each chapter has been written as a standalone Southbank (including South Wharf) in order created by the Southbank Project Management document focusing on a specific area of to inform and guide future built form and land Working Group including representatives analysis. use options in the study area. These options from the City of Melbourne, the Department This chapter presents an overview of the study’s will provide a base for the preparation of a of Planning and Community Development, approach and outputs and also provides INTRODUCTION preferred Structure Plan for Southbank. VicRoads and Sustainability Victoria together an executive summary that highlights key This comprehensive background review intends with experts from Monash University and information and recommendations. AECOM. The vision and the recommendations to build on the work undertaken in Future Chapter 1 provides an overview and analysis Melbourne (prepared by the City of Melbourne) formed to deliver this vision act as an important tool for testing the Structure Plan built form of the Melbourne Planning Scheme and its key and the Southbank Plan (DSE, 2006) by components. This chapter is intended to present focusing on the gaps left by those pieces of options work and in the future any development proposal for Southbank. the reader with a clear understanding of the work. The Southbank Plan focused specifically planning intentions for Southbank and presents on issues concerning the public environment, A Sustainable Infrastructure Study is being an argument on its success to date. Chapter that is, the quality of the public realm or space prepared in parallel to this report. The 1 concludes with a set of recommendations for between buildings, whereas Future Melbourne Infrastructure Study will inform the Structure potential changes to the Melbourne Planning provided over-arching goals for the city as a Plan by identifying any excess capacity in Scheme to improve the guidance for developers whole, not focusing specifically on Southbank. the provision of power, water and gas supply and to simplify the interface between State and With the extensive building program currently through the area and will assess the potential Local Government decision makers. underway in Southbank, this study has for district based efficient and decentralised utility provision in order to meet the City of Chapter 2 analyses the physical status of the updated the physical analysis from the study area. It assesses the quality of key Southbank Plan and added another level of Melbourne’s targets for a zero net emission city as identified in Zero Net Emissions by 2020. physical components such as the public realm, detailed assessment to the previously identified built form, transport and access, community issues. and arts facilities. The conclusions from this The following tasks have also been undertaken section are delivered as a series of issues and in order to compile a comprehensive opportunities. understanding of the current and future Chapter 3 undertakes a review of global best direction of the suburb: practice high density urban development. It mapping of the strategic State Government considers high density development from or City of Melbourne work currently a number of built form outcomes such as underway or planned for Southbank; podium and tower based development to an assessment of the current provision perimeter block typologies. This analysis will and capacity of community and utilities inform discussion on possible future trends in infrastructure in place; Southbank and will assist in developing the built a review of the applicability of current land form options in the Southbank Structure Plan use planning controls and their effectiveness study. in order to make recommendations for future Chapter 4 presents the Stage 1 outcomes governance and rezoning; and of the Southbank Sustainable Infrastructure mapping of the current assumptions Study with the specific capacity and location regarding climate change on the district; of trunk services highlighted. It also provides a a precedent study of dense, liveable cities discussion on future planned