Masterplan for 2 Bell Street Eltham (August 2013) Page 1

Adopted on 27 August 2013. To be reviewed in 2017. Any leases and works will include provision for

this review point.

Project background Development of the Bell Street Masterplan began in late 2011, after Nillumbik Shire Council was

formally appointed as Committee of Management and the land “deemed temporarily reserved as a

site for conservation, recreation, leisure and tourism purposes pursuant to section 5 (1) of the Crown

Land (Reserves) Act 1978”. Following a series of site analyses and engagement with community, this

masterplan presents a vision for a place important to the local people.

Project steps

About the site Formerly a farm and market garden, the 4.87 hectares of land located at 2 Bell Street Eltham abuts

Diamond Creek and forms part of a significant corridor of environmental, community and sporting

facilities and spaces in Eltham. These include Eltham High School, the Diamond Creek Trail, Wingrove

Park, Barak Bushlands, Eltham Leisure Centre, Alistair Knox Park, Eltham Community Reception

Site

assessments

Mailing list

recruitment via

mail, local

newspaper,

signage on site

Visioning and

functional uses

workshop

2 x drop in

sessions

Issues and

Options paper

Design

workshop

Release

for public

comment

Council

adopts

master-

plan

Bulletins and email updates

Nov 11 Jul 2012 Feb 2013 2012011023

Aug 2013

Draft

master-

plan

Masterplan for 2 Bell Street Eltham (August 2013) Page 2

Centre, Living & Learning Nillumbik Eltham, Eltham Library, Susan Street Reserve, Eltham Rugby Club,

Eltham BMX track, Eltham Bowls Club and a skate park. Fifty-five per cent of the land area on 2 Bell

Street is riparian vegetation, reserved for conservation purposes (refer to Appendix A). The site also

has local heritage significance and is severely flood prone.

About the design This masterplan attempts to present the general consensus of what people see happening on this

site drawing on public consultation and the technical assessments. This design recognises that the

land will continue to change and take shape as it evolves with use. With this in mind, the design

consists of two parts reflected in the following table.

Title Description Led by

Part A: site remediation (short term: years 1-3 as funding is available)

Modifying and maintaining land as passive public open space (grading, planting, paths and bollards)

Council

Part B: land reserved for possible future uses (medium to long term)

Land will be reserved by Council for the other possible uses indicated on the masterplan. Council may allow these uses only if it receives and endorses a suitable proposal from the community.

Community (supported by Council)

Design vision This masterplan aims to establish Bell Street as a place for all ages to stop and interact with the local

community, nature and history. The space should also complement other public spaces in the area. It

will be a site that evolves over time, with the potential for urban agriculture to provide an anchor for

other activities that all align to the site’s history and identity and the community’s passion for the

site.

Masterplan for 2 Bell Street Eltham (August 2013) Page 3

Implementation approach Appendix A shows the masterplan layout. The elements are listed in the table below. Additional

detail can be found in Appendix B including:

considerations relating to each identified use that is included in the masterplan

uses that are identified as inappropriate for the site (including organised sport, fenced dog

exercise enclosure, additional footbridge to Wingrove Park).

Category Elements

Part A: site remediation plan (1-3 years)

Grading and planting of grass and trees (indigenous or fruit)

Bollards

Paths

Regular maintenance

Part B: land reserved for possible future uses

Cultural, historical and environmental signage and interpretation

Netball and basketball half court

Parking (car and bicycle)

Play area

Shaded barbeque area

Shed, water, drink fountains, power and mural

Street furniture (bins, picnic tables, benches and pod seating)

Urban agriculture/community garden

For More Information For more information on this masterplan visit www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au/BellStreet, email

community@nillumbik.vic.gov.au or call 9433 3723.

Masterplan for 2 Bell Street Eltham (August 2013) Page 4

Appendix A: Masterplan Layout

EXISTING RECREATIONAL TRAIL. TO BE WIDENED TO 3M ( ASPHALT) WITH 1M 'RUN OFF' EITHER SIDE

PROPOSED RECREATIONAL TRAIL 1.8M WIDE ( COLOURED CONCRETE)

PROPOSED INDIGENOUS REVEGETATION ( TREES AND GROUNDCOVERS ONLY)

LEGEND

INTERPRETIVE SIGNS

DIRECTIONAL SIGNS

OM SEATING (WITH CONCRETE PAD)

REGRADE AND SEED THE OPEN SPACE WITH A DROUGHT TOLERANT FESCUE

RIPARIAN ZONE. TO BE PROTECTED RETAINED AND REVEGETATED

PROPOSED BOLLARDS

SHADE TREES (INCLUDING FRUIT TREES)

PART A- SITE REMEDIATION

I. RE-GRACING. DENNIS AND WEED REMOVAL AND TOP DRESSING 2, ENCOURAGE THE 'FRIENDS OE GROUP TO UNDERTAKE REVEGETATION ACROSS THE SITE AS INDICATED 3, INSTALL CONCRETE PATHS 4. INSTALL BOLLARDS ALONG BELL ST TO PREVENT VEHICULAR ACCESS

TART B - LAND RESERVED FOR POSSIBLE FUTURE usEs

INS concept dew realm be Korn* uses ?ea Counra vocuLd consider lor Eli Si Mem. I1.nR$tiI Ord elbe the. sidy IMAM. apthegthdray dthekrped end resources con be seabed Ipso essthrus FM :douses wil eadve end change

Iffne

• Poteglal IrfmsIn,cbIs and uses

• Street kondure Work tibias bats bandies end pod seaang)

• KM Wee

• Ps51 ndbleylllop

Shod...ter. clrinft *Amain power and motel

• Urban agtkonurefecennwnIty gordanNlied le tunher community ad leasIblely analysis 5114 101410 ea:Trout)

• Shaded BEIO erre

• Nebel! end Asthma, el hair C01111

• Curbssi, asIncel ark errdronmentel sewage end intargrarston

BELL ST MASTERPLAN SCALE- 1:500 @ A1

ELTHAM HIGH SCHOOL

PROPOSED 1.8M SEALED RECREATIONAL TRAIL

BOLLARDS BETWEEN THE PATH

AND THE PARK

110PE.2* 0101hOW1401

PART B

POTENTIAL HALF COURT AREA, I NETBALL AND BASKETBALL

PLAY AREA

POTENTIAL UNSEALED CAR PARK

(6O ONE WAY)

POTENTIAL BBQ AREA 1 MAIN ENTRY - COURTYARD

INCLUDES PATHS, LANDSCAPING, AND SEATING ( TO BE DETAILED

DESIGNED) SERVICE ACCESS

1.5M ACCESS PATH

MAINTAIN EXISTING SHED

POTENTIAL COMMUNITY GARDENS. SCALE, FORMAT AND GOVERNANCE

TO BE DETERMINED (50M X 25M) -.J

PROPOSED 1.8M SEALED RECREATIONAL TRAIL

EXISTING RECREATIONAL TRAIL. TO BE WIDENED TO 3M ( ASPHALT)

WITH 1M GRASS 'RUN OFF' EITHER SIDE

ELy ST

DIAMOND CREEK

Masterplan for 2 Bell Street Eltham (August 2013) Page 5

Appendix B: Additional detail

Overall design rationale To accommodate the various intensities of use identified for the site, the masterplan broadly

consists of three activity zones. These can be reflected as rings centred around the shed (refer to

figure below).

Figure 1: Illustration showing Bell Street activity zones

1. The inner zone is where the density of activity is greatest and surrounded by play area,

courts and bbq. Here people might participate in meetings, training, games and group

activities. It is anticipated there would be extensive seating in this area.

2. The middle zone is where the picnic and open space activities might occur such as casual

soccer and kite flying. Trees in this zone should provide shade and a sense of enclosure

without being too enclosed.

3. The outer zone is adjacent to the bushland and creek. This is a more tranquil area for people

to sit, reflect, take in the scenery and casually chat.

SHED B

ell Stre

et

Eltham Leisure Centre Eltham Township Withers Way Footbridge

Diamond Creek indigenous vegetation

Barak Bushland Eltham Lower Park

Eltham High School

Inner zone

Middle zone

Outer zone

Masterplan for 2 Bell Street Eltham (August 2013) Page 6

Part A: Site remediation The following work can be completed as soon as funding is available and is what Council will give

priority to in the next one to three years.

Use Considerations

Grading, planting and regular maintenance

The site will be graded to remove weeds, furrows and irrigation pipes. Pockets of indigenous vegetation will be used to provide shade, a sense of enclosure and a sense of entry for the paths. The design includes large grassed areas for easy maintenance, accessible open space and flexibility for future developments.

Bollards Bollards will replace the current fence to give permeability for pedestrians and protection from unauthorised vehicle entry.

Paths The main trail on Bell Street should be widened to 3 metres on a 1 metre grass ‘run off’ to accommodate commuter cyclists. Paths within the site will be 1.8 metres and 1.5 metres according to hierarchy of use.

Part B: Land reserved for possible future uses This concept design reflects the potential uses that Council will reserve land for at 2 Bell Street.

Activation of the uses on the land is subject to Council receiving and approving a suitable proposal

from the community, in keeping with Council’s strategies and policies (including masterplan

background documents listed on page 8). It assumes that uses are initiated by the community,

appropriately developed and established over time. Council will welcome any project idea that aligns

with this masterplan. For further advice contact Council using the details listed on page 3.

Use Considerations

Barbecue Modest BBQ facilities located adjacent to shed to increase activation. May include shade area.

Cultural, heritage and environmental signage and interpretation and formal naming of the site

Trails, art and signage that add interest, beauty, inclusion, activation and a sense of identity to the site are all worthy considerations – particularly where they draw on the Indigenous and non-Indigenous history of the site.

Netball/basketball half court A half court that maintains the emphasis on casual use without attracting large crowds.

Parking (car and bicycle) Unsealed, off-street parking is configured to reduce amenity impacts and minimise any physical and visual barrier to the site, particularly between the school and the site. Up to 20 car spaces depending on site use. High visibility bike parking would help to discourage car use.

Play area A natural play area that might incorporate themes of the precinct. May be as simple as boulders, logs and a sand pit.

Shed, water, drink fountain, power and mural

Shed is maintained initially as storage for community activities. Essential safety measures will need to be considered if the shed is to be occupied by people. Mural on the side of the shed will improve the visual impact and graffiti management of the site. Some amenities can be included in or near the shed such as a sink, drink fountain,

Masterplan for 2 Bell Street Eltham (August 2013) Page 7

Use Considerations

internal lighting and power. A service entrance could be located to the south of the shed.

Street furniture Tables, chairs, benches, pod seating, etc – seating that is disability accessible and that promotes face to face interaction. Furniture could be individually designed and creative but must be well secured to avoid theft. Limited number of rubbish bins.

Urban agriculture/community garden Local residents have identified that a communal garden has potential to provide a shared social experience that draws on the agricultural heritage of the site. This use will potentially provide a valuable anchoring presence on the site. For Council to approve such activity for the site, an appropriate group must first submit a feasibility study that considers the following:

That it complements existing facilities including Edendale - Council’s main investment into community garden infrastructure.

A plan that details aspects such as governance, broad community support and participation, income and expenditure, infrastructure, plant selection (non-pest), operational procedures, safety, etc.

Securing necessary resources and facilities (eg funding, water)

Operational sustainability – considering that it would be initially installed as a trial.

Masterplan for 2 Bell Street Eltham (August 2013) Page 8

Uses not accommodated in the masterplan During consultation a range of other uses were raised by the community. Council has determined

that it will not include these in the masterplan for the stated reasons or that it requires additional

analysis before it will give them further consideration.

Use Explanation

Bee hives Bee hives have historically existed at the site but are not considered appropriate for the future role of the site as a public park.

Sporting use Due to traffic congestion, flood potential, limited space and amenity impacts of lighting, this site is inappropriate for organised team sports.

Footbridge to Wingrove Park Not considered a priority given proximity to footbridge at the corner of Bell Street and Withers Way.

Further analysis

Fenced dog exercise enclosure and offleash area

Dog facilities will be considered further in a shirewide study due by 30 June 2014. There is an interest in a small fenced dog exercise yard with jumps and activities. There is also an interest in designated off-leash dog areas that can provide an alternative to dog walking on sports ovals. Traffic congestion and limited site accessibility mean that 2 Bell St is not an optimum location for townwide dog facilities.

Toilets Toilet provision will be considered further in a shirewide study due by 30 June 2014. Consideration of toilets for the area will depending on level of use of the site. This could consider the following options (in order of preference):

public accessible toilet included in the Eltham Leisure Centre redevelopment

accessible toilet installed in the shed and available when the shed is in use

separate amenity block located on the Bell Street site.

Miniature railway extension Further feasibility studies would be required before a miniature railway could be considered for the site.

Related documents All documents are available on Council’s website: www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au/bellstreet:

Design workshop transcript (February 2013)

Issues and Options Paper (January 2013)

Community Vision and Functional Uses (September 2012)

Urban Design Site and Context Assessment

Cultural Heritage Significance Assessment (February 2012)

Flora and Fauna Assessment

Traffic and Parking Assessment

Bell Street Environmental Assessment