Volume 5 Issue 2
May 2011
Artist’s impression of the new-look Albion Lane area.
Military Road Facelift
Summer at the Baths
Military Road was originally constructed in the early 1800s to provide access to Middle Head for the construction of fortifications when Sydney was thought to be at risk of invasion. It has proved to be resilient and over the years has changed its focus and function in response to the evolving transport, residential and commercial development of Mosman. It once provided a corridor for trams to the CBD and at one stage there was even heavy rail planned along the spine from the Zoo to North Sydney. Today it is recognised as one of Australia's finest Federation shopping strips and is unquestionably one of the jewels in the Mosman crown.
Full details of Council's plans are outlined on pages 2 through 5 – the indicative cost being in the order of $3.5M, and the methods of funding through the possible development of Mosman Junction westside carpark are detailed on the back page.
The Military Road upgrade vision is to create a pedestrian friendly street, which increases safety and amenity of all users, reinforces the local identity and character of Mosman and creates a vibrant and green space for users. With wider pedestrian footpaths and increased opportunities for outdoor eating it will in turn help boost the economic activity of Mosman and Military Road.
The evolution of the corridor has not kept pace with the changing needs of the community and visitors to the area alike, and in the Council's consultations it was identified as being in need of rejuvenation to meet the demands of modern living while recognising its historical context. Over the past 12 months Councillors have worked with staff and various consultants to present the community with a streetscape upgrade that is affordable and provides new contemporary elements, including the prospect of expanded outdoor dining, better utilisation of road space, increased car parking, more accessible public transport, improved lighting, street furniture, landscaping and trees, and public safety through the provision of CCTV. The area between Spit Junction and Centenary Circle is large and it is important that the Council be strategic in its approach to providing upgrades while ensuring that it is financially responsible.
What the Avenue Road intersection may look like after the revamp.
Military Road will have reduced speed limits in some sections of 40km/h and this will help in the creation of a pedestrian friendly environment. New tree planting and lighting will occur along Military Road with key junctions having lighting and banners.
There are three areas that have been chosen as key sites to upgrade, Centenary Circle, Avenue Road at Military Road, and adjacent to Albion Lane. All three sites will increase the pedestrian amenity and reinforce the local character. Refer to the drawings for a summary of what is proposed. It is important to the financial autonomy of Mosman as a Local Government Area that it works within the constraints of our limited budget, and residents will note that this project is presented as a package and is self funding. In short, the Military Road upgrade relies totally on the Mosman Junction westside car park redevelopment and this could provide opportunities to adjoining and adjacent land owners. Residents are invited to make a submission in relation to the proposals by 31 May 2011 addressed to the General Manager, or electronically through Council's website.
www.mosman.nsw.gov.au
Mosman News
MILITARY ROAD UPGRADE MOSMAN VISION -
Creating a pedestrian friendly high street, not dominated by cars
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Increase safety and amenity
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Boost economic activity of Mosman and Military Road
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Create an attractive and welcoming environment to visitors and residents
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Reinforce local identity and character
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A green vibrant street
UPGRADE MILITARY ROAD, CNR OF ALBION LANE
OUTCOMES -
Increase pedestrian footpath areas and reducing the speed limit on Military Road to 40km/h
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Allow for future outdoor dining areas
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New tree planting and lighting to Military Road, with banners marking key points along Military Road
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Create suite of furniture placed in strategic positions
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Reduce clutter and pedestrian congestion
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New way finding signage showing amenities, parks and significant sites around Mosman
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Historical plaques around the area, in conjunction with the Mosman Historical Society
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New CCTV to be installed to protect the significant investment
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New parking bays marked and installation of parking management devices to improve parking along Military Road
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Installation of 90 new trees along Military Road
UPGRADE MILITARY ROAD MOSMAN HIGH AND AVENUE ROAD
UPGRADE CENTENARY CIRCLE
SPACKMAN MOSSOP MICHAELS
Page 2
MILITARY ROAD -
Create threshold into Mosman Junction New tree planting and lighting with banners in two locations along Military Road at Albion lane, and Centenary Circle Cobblestones to reinforce slow traffic environment and 40km/h zone New seating, rubbish bins and water bubblers along Military Road reducing the excess seating and mismatching furniture.
AVENUE ROAD -
Increase pedestrian amenity and reinforce the local character Increase paving areas giving a higher pedestrian priority Removal of bus stop, therefore increasing parking along Avenue Road Relocate taxi rank to Belmont Road New tree planting and planter beds Removal of right hand turn from Military Road into Avenue Road and no right hand turn into Military Road from Avenue Road Increase paving area outside Mosman Highschool slowing left hand turn into Military Road New lighting and furniture to match the proposed Military Road suite.
MOSMAN HIGH SCHOOL -
Colour options for multi-function poles and other street furniture.
Removal of existing shelter and provide new streamline bus shelter Increase sheltered area for bus zone New bus stop locations Cobblestones to delineate bus zone along Military Road New suite of furniture placed in strategic position. Removal of failing trees due to pedestrian compaction and bus movement.
Page 5
CENTENARY CIRCLE -
Removal of existing bus stops, increase parking Extend paving to allow for outdoor dining and improved pedestrian circulation New planting and trees creating an attractive street facade Up light existing and proposed trees Create a space that integrates with the heritage of the area New lighting with banners identifying Centenary Circle as a key entry into Mosman Junction.
Mosman News
Page 6
Parking Proposal Brings New Life Over the years Council has conducted a number of parking studies showing that the Mosman Junction business centre is deficient in available public car parking. Opportunities have been explored for both the Mosman Junction east-side and west-side car parks and an exciting new concept has been developed for the west-side in conjunction with JPR Architects.
Artist’s impression of possible ground floor retail area at the rear of Military Road properties
Artist’s impression of mixed residential/retail development from Raglan Street showing scale and siting
This development meets many objectives including the near doubling to 101 public car parking spaces; the provision of 28 new dwellings to help meet the Council's mandatory State Government housing targets, and to provide existing land holders the prospect of maximising their commercial sites. The latter will provide the opportunity for refreshing the existing stock of commercial and retail premises in the vicinity, many of which have unrealised potential. The proposals developed at a ground floor level provide for either a retail food court area that would inject life into the area that the visions identified as a shortcoming, or the provision of more ground floor residential.
Should Council receive community support for its initiatives of upgrading Military Road and funding same from the development of the west-side car park a development application would be independently prepared and independently assessed. Any consent would be put to the market to remove community financial risk, and it would be a condition of tender that the existing car parking provison of 54 spaces be returned for public use within a period of six months. Obviously, this would mean the car parking would be returned during the construction phase to ensure the fairest deal for Mosman Junction businesses. The possible development of the Mosman Junction west-side car park will be the catalyst for the revitalisation of Mosman Junction, and adjoining property owners will be encouraged to take advantage of this unique opportunity, which may allow for the provision of even more public car parking in the Mosman Junction area. Residents are invited to make a submission in relation to the proposals by 31 May 2011 addressed to the General Manager, or electronically through Council's website.
Ground Floors – what’s your view? For more detailed information on these proposals please visit www.mosman.nsw.gov.au
Retail and Residential
Mosman Municipal Council Civic Centre, Mosman Square Mosman NSW 2088
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©2011 Mosman Municipal Council. All information correct at time of printing.
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