Waratah Avenue Urban Design Study - City of Nedlands 22914 Waratah... · M13/15778 Waratah Avenue Urban Design Study Part 1: Audit Seating – Private Two cafes in the study area

Waratah Avenue Urban Design Study July 2013

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Waratah Avenue Urban Design Study M13/15778

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Introduction This document is intended to provide a snapshot of the current state of the urban environment of Waratah Avenue, Dalkeith. The information gathered will assist in the formation of options for the Waratah Avenue Placemaking Strategy. The study area for this project is the publicly owned land along Waratah Avenue between Adelma Road and Alexander Road, a length of approximately 300 metres. This includes the road reserve, footpath, Genesta Park and the Dalkeith Hall (and Nedlands Community Care) site. The front car parking area of 81 Waratah Avenue is also included in the study as this area would be used similarly to public space by visitors to the area. The table below indicates the aspects of the urban environment that have been addressed in this study.

Part 1: Audit ................................................................................................................ 4 Seating – Private ......................................................................................................... 4 Seating – Public .......................................................................................................... 4 Street Furniture ........................................................................................................... 6 Buses and Bikes ......................................................................................................... 8 Pedestrians, footpaths and the road ......................................................................... 10 Vegetation ................................................................................................................. 12 Topography ............................................................................................................... 13 Frontages and Uses .................................................................................................. 14 Built Form .................................................................................................................. 16 Genesta Park Feature Survey ................................................................................... 18 Part 2: Findings and Options ..................................................................................... 20 Appendix 1 - Frontages Audit template ..................................................................... 23 Appendix 2 – Expected development 87-91 Waratah Ave ........................................ 24

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Part 1: Audit Seating – Private Two cafes in the study area offer opportunities for seating by providing alfresco dining on the footpath. During a visual survey of the site, Cimbalino was observed to have 7 tables and 21 chairs adjacent to their frontage, and the Avenue Cafe was observed to have 8 tables and 18 chairs wrapping around their frontage. There are other locations in the study area that have the potential to accommodate alfresco dining if the adjacent land use was compatible. Seating – Public There are five different types of public seating in the area.

• Two picnic tables and chairs in Genesta Park (Figure 1, 2) • One bench in Genesta Park (Figure 3) • One bench close to the Adelma Road intersection (Figure 4) • One bench within the tudor-style shopping precinct (Figure 5)

The grassed areas of Genesta Park offers ample opportunity for sitting and for picnics. Observations during site visits suggest the public seating is used sporadically.

Figure 1 Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 5 Figure 4

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Cimbalino; 7 tables and 21 chairs.

The Avenue Cafe; 8 tables and 18 chairs.

3 benches 2 picnic tables 15 alfresco tables 39 alfresco chairs

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Street Furniture Litter bins in the area are generally enclosed with a stainless steel cage. Blue lidded litter bins attached to a post can be found in Genesta Park and outside the liquor store on Aldema Road. There are wooden caged litter bins within the Tudor style shopping precinct.

A pay phone and post box can be found on the verge adjacent to the Tudor-style shopping precinct.

Figure 6 Figure 8 Figure 7

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1 pay phone 1 post box 8 bins, 3 styles

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Buses and Bikes There is one bus stop in the study area. It is located on the southern side of the road, opposite the Tudor-style shopping precinct. The bus stop has a wooden shelter, bench and timetable information panel; all in good condition (Figure 9).

This bus stop serves passengers travelling from the CBD or travelling to Claremont on route 24. Those wishing to travel to the CBD or travelling from Claremont must use bus stops outside of the study area (approximately 50 metres west of Alexander Road or 80 metres east of Adelma Road). Transperth SmartRider data suggests there are 35 to 40 boardings and alightings on an average weekday at this stop (travelling west).

There are a total of 11 U-rails installed in the study area (examples in Figures 10 - 13). Many of the rails while structurally sound, have flaking paint and aren’t aesthetically pleasing. The rails are also not always located conveniently for cyclists or are too close to other objects. Informal bike parking opportunities also exist around the front of Dalkeith Hall and outside the liquor store on Adelma Road.

Figure 9

Figure 10 Figure 11 Figure 12

Figure 13

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1 bus stop

Bus services: Route 24

11U-rails

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Pedestrians, footpaths and the road The section of Waratah Avenue in the study area is asphalt and in fair condition. The road width varies between 9.3 metres at pedestrian crossings and 18.5 metres adjacent to Genesta Park (including on street parking and angled parking). The road reserve (from property boundary to property boundary) is approximately 20 metres. There are ‘village style’ street lamps along the length of the street in either the median or footpath (Figure 14 and 15). Brick paved footpaths are located on both sides of Waratah Avenue, and concrete footpaths run along the remaining two sides of Genesta Park. The Waratah Ave footpaths vary in width between two and three metres (approximately) and are generally of good quality. There are areas of brick paving that are rising and sinking, which may present problems for vulnerable users (Figures 16 and 17). Another feature of the area is the paved spaces where Genesta Crescent meets Waratah Avenue (Figure 18). These spaces do not appear to contribute significantly to the public life; however they do (in part) act as vehicle crossovers for neighbouring properties.

Figure 14

Figure 18

Figure 15

Figure 17

Figure 16

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There are three uncontrolled pedestrian crossovers located in the study area. These all include a pedestrian refuge in the median and generally some grab rails and bollards. Pedestrians do not appear to use these crossings exclusively. Numerous site visits suggest there are not any significant clusters of pedestrian activity.

3 pedestrian crossings

Awkward pedestrian, traffic and parked vehicle conflict.

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Vegetation The street trees in the study area are mostly Manchurian Pears (Figure 19). The street trees are healthy; however their limited size means they offer little shade. Other areas of vegetation include small plantings in the median at either end of the study area (Figure 21), a large ficus (Figure 20), various plantings within lot boundaries (Figures 22-24) and Genesta Park.

Figure 24

Figure 19

Figure 20

Figure 21

Figure 22

Figure 23

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Topography The area has little variation in topography and for the purposes of this study the effect is considered negligible.

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Frontages and Uses The study area accommodates a number of uses typical of a neighbourhood centre. These uses can be identified in the accompanying map. These uses are almost exclusively day time uses, with only the supermarket (open until 7pm) and Dalkeith Hall (occasional) operating in the evening. Frontages in the area range in their relationship to the street (Figures 25-27). An audit using a predefined matrix (Appendix 1) rated frontages from active to inactive.

Figure 27 Figure 26

Figure 25

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Built Form The majority of buildings in the study area are single storey with the exception of the old cinema building, the Tudor style shopping precinct and the old service station. The buildings in the area were predominantly built in the 1940s-50s. The buildings between Alexander Road and 91 Waratah Avenue (currently a boutique) were identified as a Character Area in the Palassis review of the City’s heritage (Figures 28-30).The physical description of this area is reprinted on the facing page. The Tudor style shopping precinct (built in the early 1980s, Figure 31) is distinctive however was considered to be below the threshold for heritage significance (Pallassis, 2013). Many of the buildings also include an awning over the footpath, providing shelter and shade to pedestrians and also providing an environment suitable for alfresco dining.

Figure 28

Figure 31

Figure 29

Figure 30

Figure 29

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Waratah Civic and Commercial Complex extends westward from Alexander Road to 91 Waratah Avenue and comprises of a variety of commercial establishments, including Dalkeith Hall and C3 Church. The commercial establishments are single-storey masonry and iron buildings with parapet walls concealing the roofs behind, built up to the front lot line. The parapet walls are simple, some stepped, some with simple detailing, and all shops have boxed metal awnings cantilevered over the footpath. Shop fronts have been altered over time, with little original detailing remaining in most. The church occupies a substantial building constructed to the lot line. The rear of the building is a warehouse type structure with a low pitched roof. The front portion is a flat roofed masonry structure, with an extensively glazed street front and recessed entry. Dalkeith Hall is part of a small complex that comprises the Dalkeith Hall (1956) and Dalkeith Community Centre, 97 Waratah Avenue. The Community Centre is located on the eastern side of the building, and projects beyond the front wall of the Hall. Bituminised parking surrounds the Hall and Community Centre, and a small flower bed is located in the ell where the two buildings adjoin, and at the front corner of the Hall. The Hall comprises of a long rendered masonry hall with a low pitched roof with a parapet wall to the street, sited behind an entry foyer with a pitched roof lower than the Hall. A masonry porch with a flat roof and three narrow pillars flanking a wide entry projects from the entry foyer. The Community Centre, a low pitched masonry building, projects forward of the Hall, on the eastern side. A number of rooms project from the building along the eastern side. Entry to the Hall is by way of a set of wide steps, leading to a bank of metal-framed glazed doors with timber-framed hopper windows over. Dalkeith Hall is painted across the front of the porch roof. The Hall and Community Centre have been rendered, and recently repainted.

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Urban Design Audit M13/15778

Genesta Park Feature Survey Genesta Park is classified as a Local Park in the City’s parks hierarchy. A Local Park is defined as: “These are minor parks and provide limited opportunity for recreation within the City. These parks are only generally known to the residents living within the locality, e.g., Floreat or Mt Claremont. These Parks are visited once per month for landscape services. Broad acre mowing occurs 17 times per year and surround mowing 17 times per year.” The park is grassed and vegetated with over 30 trees (mostly Australian natives). Approximately two thirds of these trees provide meaningful shade. The park is irrigated via a bore. Genesta Park also has a function to assist in the collection and management of storm water during significant storm events.

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1. Entry statement

2. Bench

3. Public art

4. Drainage basin

5. Small bridge

6. Litter bin

7. Picnic bench and table

8. Picnic bench and table

9. Utilities

10. Water fountain

11. Light

12. Light

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Part 2: Findings and Options The findings and options below are based on the work and discussions of Administration and the project’s Steering Committee. The options are not intended to be a final list of actions, but a starting point for the eventual Placemaking Strategy. It is expected that the viability and priority of these options will change as the project is progressed. Seating Seating within the study area is limited, with little consistency in style and quality. Seating and alfresco dining is concentrated at either end of the study area, with no seating provided in between. The total number of seats within the study area is acceptable, given the observed use. There is no consistency in the type of seating provided in Genesta Park and there is a limited number. There is also a variation in the materials used, some being metal and others being wooden. Quality of the seats also varies, some being relatively new, other looking run down and in need of maintenance. Options:

• A consistent street furniture style should be adopted. • Provide seating near Dalkeith Hall. • Increase the amount of seating within Genesta Park. • Consider use of non-traditional seating opportunities, such as planter boxes.

Street Furniture Street furniture within the study area (beyond seating) is largely service based and consists of litter bins, a pay phone and a post box. Clustering of street furniture has created a cluttered feel in some areas. There are three different bin styles in the area. However, the majority of the bins are of a common style and evenly distributed along Waratah Avenue. In some cases the bins and bin enclosures were dirty or damaged. Genesta Park only has one bin, located close to one of the picnic tables. Options:

• A consistent street furniture style should be adopted. • Locate bins away from picnic tables to minimise smell. • Ensure bins are emptied and cleaned on an appropriate schedule. • Smaller bins could be provided for more frequent spacing.

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Buses and Bikes As with the majority of the street furniture in the study area, the bus shelter and U-rails are not of a consistent style. The rustic style of the bus shelter does not match the style of the area, however it is functional. There is no bus stop on the northern side of Waratah Avenue within the study area. There is limited lighting at the bus stop making it unappealing after dark. There is a good number of U-rails in the area, however many of the U-rails are located in places that are not very convenient or accessible to users. The stainless steel U-rails wear better over time than those that have been painted, therefore less maintenance is required. Options:

• Rustic style of bus shelter could be the basis of street furniture style. • Investigate the feasibility of moving a bus stop (and associated infrastructure)

to the northern side of the Waratah Avenue study area. • Replace a car bay with bicycle parking. • Ensure the U-rail design chosen for the area is stainless steel. • U-rails could be relocated to be more user friendly. • Consider integrating bicycle parking with public art.

Pedestrians, footpaths and the road The footpaths within the study area are in mostly fair condition physically; however they are seen to be below average aesthetically. The footpaths are wide enough for pedestrian traffic but only allow for limited alfresco seating. The potential for wider footpaths is present, given that the road pavement is wider than required for current vehicle movements. There are no controlled crossings or crosswalks within the area, but there are a number of crossing points with pedestrian refuges in the median providing for safe pedestrian movement. The paved space where Genesta Crescent meets Waratah Avenue is large and underutilised, but due to the crossovers required to access the adjacent private properties, this area is a ‘dead’ space. The streets lamps are in a different style to all other street furniture/fixture being in an Art Deco style. Options:

• Use footpath materials that are less susceptible to rising and subsidence. • Investigate different colour/s in the footpath and road environment. • Widen footpaths to better facilitate al fresco dining.

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• Ensure crossing points are located and constructed appropriately, especially for vulnerable users.

• Investigate options for street/footpath levels. • Thematic streetlights could form the basis of street furniture style.

Vegetation Vegetation within the study area is mostly healthy and consistent however, the street trees are small and do not provide large amounts of shade. Genesta Park is well shaded. Options:

• Replace street trees with larger shade giving trees. • Continue to favour deciduous trees to let sunlight through in winter. • Improve the garden at Dalkeith Hall. • Use the existing vegetation and topography of Genesta Park to improve the

space.

Frontages and uses Many of the shop fronts do not interact well with the street. Options:

• Investigate wider footpaths to allow for more adaptive uses of the space.

Built form There is a mix of architectural styles present in the study area. Many of the buildings have awnings that add to the village character of the area. Options:

• Encourage the addition and maintenance of awnings. • Promote a cohesive style for the area.

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Appendix 1 - Frontages Audit template

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Appendix 2 – Expected development 87-91 Waratah Ave

Documents

Waratah Avenue Urban Design Study - City of Nedlands 22914 Waratah... · M13/15778 Waratah Avenue Urban Design Study Part 1: Audit Seating – Private Two cafes in the study area