maribyrnong river interface urban design guidelines

John Curtis Pty Ltd with Planisphere

Maribyrnong River Interface

Urban Design Guidelines Moonee Valley City Council

December 2001

John Curtis Pty Ltd Urban Design with Planisphere

John Curtis Pty Ltd with Planisphere

Maribyrnong River Interface

Urban Design Guidelines Moonee Valley City Council

Contents INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................. 1

1. VISION STATEMENT............................................................................................................. 1

2. HOW TO USE THE GUIDELINES AND SITE ANALYSIS REQUIREMENTS ...................... 2

3. KEY LANDSCAPE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RIVER CORRIDOR............................... 3

4. URBAN DESIGN GUIDELINES ............................................................................................. 5 4.1 PARKLAND AND RIVER INTERFACE ......................................................................................... 5

4.2 VIEWLINES, SKYLINES AND VIEWS OUT .................................................................................. 7

4.3 VEGETATION AND HABITAT .................................................................................................... 9

4.4 SITING AND SITE COVERAGE ............................................................................................... 11

4.5 BUILT FORM ....................................................................................................................... 13

4.6 COLOUR, MATERIALS AND DESIGN DETAIL ........................................................................... 15

4.7 VEHICLE ACCESS AND PARKING........................................................................................... 17

4.8 CONSTRUCTION AND DETAILED DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS.................................................... 19

APPENDIX 1 SUGGESTED PLANTING SPECIES ...................................................................... 21

Maribyrnong River Interface Guidelines

City of Moonee Valley

John Curtis Pty Ltd with Planisphere 1

Introduction These guidelines have been prepared to guide development on land adjacent to Maribyrnong River within the area currently covered by a Design and Development Overlay DDO1 under the Moonee Valley Planning Scheme. The overlay sets out design objectives that aim to protect and enhance the skyline when viewed from the River and its banks. The overlay provides height controls for building and works along the Maribyrnong River.

1. Vision Statement To achieve a vegetation dominated landscape backdrop to the Maribyrnong River and parkland with buildings set in leafy gardens complementing the indigenous vegetation of the upper reaches (above Steele Creek) and the more formalised parkland of the lower reaches (below Steele Creek). This Vision will be maintained and strengthened by: Encouraging the retention and enhancement of the vegetation covered hill

faces and escarpment edges to the Maribyrnong River. Encouraging the use of native vegetation particularly in the upper reaches of

the River. This will enhance drainage, energy sequestration and improve bio-diversity.

Encouraging ecologically sustainable development. Avoiding dominant building forms in prominent positions within the river

corridor view shed. Blending in the vegetation of the private gardens into the river corridor

landscape; and Managing site coverage to ensure that there is adequate space for planting Ensuring that any vegetation enhancement does not lead to increases in flood

levels within the floodplain or introduce flood risk and potential for asset damage

Apply the appropriate guidelines for floodplain management.




2. How to Use the Guidelines and Site Analysis Requirements

For development and works that require a permit within the Design and Development Overlay No. 1 the following additional information is required:

Existing slope (site contours) reduced to Australian Height Datum (ADH). The heights and set backs of existing buildings on site and adjacent buildings. Critical view lines of the site when viewed from key viewing points such as

bridges and the trails along the River (if applicable). A plan outline of any adjacent dwellings whose view to the River and

Parkland may be affected by the proposed development. Key view lines from these properties should also be indicated.

A site plan showing the existing vegetation, including the species of vegetation, and size of mature trees and large shrubs and indicating any that are proposed to be removed.

Any on-site or adjacent sites of cultural heritage significance. The applicable flood level for the site. If abutting the waterway, the location of the waterways banks (and flood

extent with respect of the development)




3. Key Landscape Characteristics of the River Corridor

The key landscape characteristics of the river corridor are concerned with the topography and landform and the resultant views within this corridor. Other key characteristics are the edges or urban interfaces with the natural corridor of the River. The landform of the River corridor includes two significant units. The flat land with an abrupt escarpment edge to the River upstream of Steele Creek typical of the plains west of Melbourne and the hilly topography of the downstream reaches. Topographic elements and important viewing points include:

Prominent escarpment edge – this topographic feature occurs upstream of Steele Creek. Its notable features include naturalistic river banks and indigenous bushland landscapes. Due to the proximity to the escarpment edge houses, roofs and paling fences often dominate the skyline when viewed from the river valley parkland. Usually only the escarpment edge houses are visible along the top of the escarpment.

Prominent hill faces – these landforms occur downstream from Steele Creek. The immediate river banks are more defined and formally landscaped with exotic and native vegetation. Generally the hill faces appear as well vegetated slopes with housing set into the landscape. They are vulnerable to redevelopment with larger, bulkier dwellings and in some areas suffer from loss of vegetation.

Views from key movement systems including pedestrian and bicycle trails, pedestrian river bridges, road bridges, rail bridges. These are locations where people passing through the municipality experience the Maribyrnong and recreational users of the River corridor tend to experience key views.

Notable scenic viewing points such as pedestrian bridges. Popular viewing points of the valley are noted in the ‘Melway’ street directory.

Key urban parkland interfaces and edges along the River corridor include: Residences immediately abutting parkland and the River. Issues associated

with this form of interface include the dominance on the landscape of tall paling fences, rubbish and extension of the private domain into the parkland, visual management of the river edge particularly in terms of fire and restricted access for park users.

Residences fronting a road and the parkland and River. While high volumes of traffic and speed impact on the parkland on roads such as The Boulevard this form of interface is preferable in terms of management of the parkland




edge, visual setbacks of buildings and providing continuous access to the park for users.

Industries/research complex fronting a road and the parkland. This interface is restricted to the Stanford Street area of Ascot Vale with the buildings set well back from the River corridor by the Riverside Golf Course.

The above landscape analysis suggests two key landscape character precincts the River interface upstream of Steele Creek and the interface downstream of Steele Creek. The key characteristics of the River upstream from Steele Creek are: Prominent and defined escarpment edge cutting through the flat topography

of Avondale Heights. Spectacular views from key viewing points. Naturalistic River Banks. Parkland characterised by indigenous bushland landscapes. Houses backing onto the parkland for the majority of the edge. Prominence of escarpment edge houses on the skyline when viewed from the

River parkland. The key characteristics of the River landscape downstream from Steele Creek are:

Prominent hill faces with housing merging into a well treed landscape Defined River bank. Parkland characterised by more formal landscape design and a mixture of

exotic and native planting Houses generally fronting a road which fronts the River corridor parkland. In a few locations at Ascot Vale the houses are located close to the waters

edge and may have a greater intrusion on the river corridor landscape. The preceding analysis defines two precincts. However the vision statement for the River corridor has the same outcome of a well vegetated landscape corridor for its entire length. As a result, the consistent design guidelines can generally be applied for the full length of the River. Guideline differences for the two precincts are only concerned with the choice of appropriate plant materials.




4. Urban Design Guidelines 4.1 Parkland and River Interface Objective To ensure that new development adjacent to the riverside parkland blends with the landscape of the River Corridor and contributes to a safer and more aesthetic environment along the edges of the parkland. Design Responses

1 New development that increases natural surveillance, general safety and public accessibility of the public open space within the Maribyrnong River Corridor is encouraged where the environmental and aesthetic qualities of the corridor are not compromised.

2 The design of the development should front onto the River and the parkland as well as the street. Where rear boundaries abut the park windows, decks and balconies will help to provide surveillance over the parkland. In designing a development consider how the building form appears from the park as well as the street. Reduce the impact of the development by using articulated building mass and less dominant forms.

3 Within the flood plain, a planning permit is generally required for a fence. In this area, low or no fences are encouraged fronting onto the park. Any new fencing in the floodplain should be an open style so as to transmit flood waters. Where a fencing is required for security reasons, this should be transparent using materials such as wire mesh. Dark colours are preferred. Where visual screening is required for privacy it is recommended that massed vegetation blending with the park plantings be used.

4 Avoid retaining walls and structures along the River parkland edge frontage except where it is evident that erosion exceeds acceptable levels. Walls should be constructed with materials such as timber, stone or other materials that blend with the natural environment of the River.

5 Avoid private construction elements such as steps or private plantings spreading onto the parkland reserves.

6 The construction of buildings within the active floodplain will not be encouraged. Any development must be in accordance with appropirated guidelines for floodplain management.




Parkland and River Interface Illustrations

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4.2 Viewlines, Skylines and Views Out Objectives To maintain a vegetation dominated skyline when viewed from the River and adjoining parkland and to protect existing views to the River from adjacent streets and public spaces. To provide reasonable sharing of views to the River and adjoining parkland from private properties. Design Responses 1. Avoid dominant building and roof forms particularly on prominent hill faces,

ridges or skylines when viewed from the River or within the riverside parkland. Where building on the skyline cannot be avoided particular attention should be paid to avoiding monolithic forms or dominating roof shapes. (See techniques in the building form and materials and design detail sections)

2. Protect views to the River and Parkland by respecting existing view corridors to the River and parklands from existing nearby properties. Adjoining properties and the key view lines from these properties should be shown on the site analysis.

3. Maintain views through the development from adjacent roads and footpaths to the River and Parkland.

4. Locate new buildings on the site to minimise views of the building from the River frontage and adjacent parkland.




Viewlines, Skylines and Views Out Illustrations

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4.3 Vegetation and Habitat Objective To provide continuity of vegetation from the riverside parkland to the gardens of private development, and to extend the habitat for native fauna. Design Responses

1 Prepare a landscape plan to accompany all development proposals that utilises appropriate species as defined in Appendix 1.

2 Avoid planting species in gardens, which are identified weeds within the River corridor, as identified in Appendix 1.

3 Provide sufficient space for wide spreading canopy trees –one substantial tree for every 200 square metres of site area.

4 Ensure that 50% of unbuilt space is unsealed/ permeable and able to support vegetation.

5 Use indigenous species particularly upstream from Steele Creek to complement the riverine planting of the parkland (see Appendix 1.)

6 Side setbacks should be adequate to permit planting between adjoining properties.

7 Leave the area around a tree out as far as its mature drip-line (the edge of the tree canopy) clear of buildings, paving and other non permeable surfaces.

8 The use of permeable surfaces is encouraged for all unbuilt areas to minimise surface run-off and to support vegetation.

9 Retain trees that form part of a continuous canopy beyond the property, and plant new trees in a position where they will add to such a continuous canopy.

10 Ensure that the density of planting in flood affected areas allows adequate drainage and does not lead to adverse flood impacts by increasing flood levels.

11 Ensure that plant species for use in flood affected areas are capable of withstanding flood impacts and do not contribute to adding debris to floodwaters. Ie: clean bowled trees and shrubs capable of being flattened by floodwaters and then regenerating.

12 Ensure that the density of planting does not result in obscuring views, create a potential fire hazard or result in increased maintenance of landscaped areas.




Vegetation and Habitat Illustrations

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4.4 Siting and Site Coverage Objective To ensure that adequate space is available on land in private ownership for the retention and planting of vegetation and to minimise intrusion into view corridors along the River. Design Responses

1. Where development abuts parkland directly, buildings should be setback a minimum of 5 metres from the property boundary. Proposals with a lesser setback must demonstrate that the development is not visible or will not be visually obtrusive from the River and associated parkland corridor or when viewed from other identified key viewing points and that adequate vegetation is to be retained and planted.

2. The front setback of all buildings fronting a road adjacent to the River parkland should match the predominant setback of the street.

3. All buildings should be setback at least one metre from both side boundaries. 4. The siting of new developments should be beyond affected areas or comply

with floodplain management guidelines, as prescribed by Melbourne Water. 5. The development should be sited away from the high banks of the waterway

corridor to provide for continuity in the waterway environment. This is particularly relevant in those locations where the waterway is extended within a steeper cross section as opposed to a wide floodplain.

6. Any subdivision of land should provide for adequate offset distance from the high bank so as to provide for public maintenance access and protect bank integrity.

7. The bed and banks of the Maribyrnong River must be protected. 8. Development must not impact on riparian vegetation and landuse immediately

abutting the river.




Built Form illustrations

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4.5 Built Form Objective To encourage built form that responds to and complements the River and its natural setting Design Responses 1. Keep development below the dominant tree canopy height or the future

developed tree canopy in newer areas. 2. Buildings should not exceed 9 metres in height apart from architectural

features and design details. For the purposes of these Guidelines height is defined as the vertical distance between the natural ground level and the finished roof height directly above.

3. Buildings should be designed to follow the contours or step down the site whilst avoiding dominating building forms and materials.

4. The overall building form should be articulated into separate elements. 5. Avoid dominating monolithic building forms and sheer multiple storey

elevations without articulation. 6. Respect the built form character of the immediate streetscapes.




Built Form illustrations

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4.6 Colour, Materials and Design Detail Objective To use colours and materials that blend into the landscape backdrop of the River corridor as well as complimenting the streetscape. Design Responses 1 Use materials and colours which are drawn from a palette of natural

appearing and coloured materials which blend with the landscape setting and the existing streetscape. Consider how the materials weather over time to complement the setting.

2 Avoid highly reflective or brightly coloured building materials. Particularly avoid brightly coloured roof tiles.




Colour, Materials and Design Detail Illustrations

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4.7 Vehicle Access and Parking Objective To minimise loss of garden space and the dominance of car storage facilities in the River environment. Design Responses

1 Locate all carports and garages at or behind the frontage line of the dwelling. 2 Avoid garages and carports with the rear setback where it immediately abuts

the River parkland.

3 Any new vehicle access or parking area is to be designed and sited so that it is not adversely affected by flooding. This would require careful siting for new parking areas in locations that are safe from flood impacts.




Vehicle Access and Parking Illustrations

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4.8 Construction and Detailed Design Considerations Objective To minimise the impact of new construction on the River corridor and permanent scaring of the landscape. Design Responses

1 Protect existing trees and particularly indigenous vegetation during construction and provide sufficient space free of development to maintain the tree in a healthy condition.

2 Plan the alignment of drains, pipes and other services so as to avoid damage to existing and proposed trees and their roots.

3 Design the development to minimise the need for earthworks on the site. 4 Keep all overburden within the confines of the individual site and in particular

avoid spilling overburden onto the River and parkland area. 5 Avoid stockpiling rubbish and building materials on the parkland reserves. 6 Incorporate stormwater protection measures in the design and construction

phases so as to minimise adverse impacts on the quality of stormwater. For instance ensure that sand, soil or cement is not washed into local drainage networks or litter is not blown from the construction site. Refer to Construction Techniques for Sediment Pollution Control, Environment Protection Authority, State Government of Victoria, (http://epanote2.epa.vic.gov.au/EPA/Publications.nsf) or the Urban Stormwater Best Practice Environmental Management Guidelines, CSIRO.

7 Encourage an environmentally sustainable design and development approach to new works, including the consideration of water sensitive urban design principles to manage runoff prior to discharging into the Maribyrnong River, eg: use of swale drains, sediment traps etc.




Construction and Detailed Design Considerations Illustrations

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Appendix 1 Suggested Planting Species Maribyrnong River Escarpment Species Botanical Name Common Name Height

(m) Acacia acinacea Gold-dust Wattle 2 Acacia implexa Lightwood 6-12 Acacia mearnsii Black Wattle 10-15 Acacia pycnatha Golden wattle 4-6 Allocasuarina verticillata Drooping Sheoak 10 Bursaria spinosa Sweet Bursaria 3-4 Callitris glaucophylla White Cypress-pine 10-18 Eucalyptus melliodora Yellow Box 12-20 Correa glabra Rock Correa 2 Dodonea viscosa Wedge-leaf Hop

Bush 2-3

Hymenanthera dentata Tree Violet 2-3 For other suggestions see Plants of Melbourne’s Western Plains, A gardener’s guide to the original flora. Society for Growing Australian Plants, Keilor Plains Group. 1995. Maribyrnong River Parkland Frontages Botanical Name Common Name Height

(m) Liriodendron tulipifera* Tulip Tree 30 Liquidamber styraciflua* Sweet Gum 30 Acacia melanoxylon

Blackwood 30

Eucalyptus microcarpa Grey Box 20 Eucalyptus sideroxylon ‘Rosea’ Pink-flowering

Ironbark 10-30

Acer negundo* Box-elder Maple 10 Jacaranda mimosifolia* Jacaranda 15 Pyrus ussuriensis* Manchurian Pear 14 Acmena smithii Lilly Pilly 10-15 Allocasuarina verticillata Drooping Sheoke 10 Allocasuarina littoralis Black Sheoke 15 * Deciduous For further suggestions obtain a copy from the Moonee Valley Civic Centre of the Moonee Valley City Council Landscape Plan Checklist. If planting near overhead cables ensure that species are selected so that at maturity they will not interfere with cables.




Undesirable Species Botanical Name Common Name Agapanthus orientalis Agapathus Coprosma repens New Zealand Mirror

Bush Pittosporum undulatum Sweet Pittosporum Erigeron karwinskianus Seaside Daisy Hedera helix Ivy Cortaderia selloana Pampas Grass Vinca minor Periwinkle Tradescantia spp. Tradescantia Opuntia spp Prickly Pear The above species are highly invasive and can threaten native species.

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