Emerald Hill Master Plan Final

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Emerald Hill master plan City of Port Phillip

22 November 2011 Version 1

City of Port Phillip Emerald Hill master plan

MARSHALL ST

DORCAS ST

LAYFIELD ST

FISHLEY ST

DALY ST

SOUTH MELBOURNE TOWN HALL COPP

ANAM

BANK ST

CLARENDON ST

BANK ST

PERRINS ST

CECIL ST

2

PARK ST

Emerald Hill Precinct Map

3 Contents The Emerald Hill Vision The Precinct Objectives Development of the masterplan Relationship to Council Plan Indigenous cultural heritage European heritage Principles Staging the projects The North Courtyard The Ballantyne Room Town Hall Side Entries Town Hall Forecourt Town Hall setting Marshall Street 222 Bank Street Library Forecourt Public Art Lighting and safety Actions

4 6 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 36 38 40 42 44 46 50

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City of Port Phillip Emerald Hill master plan

The Emerald Hill Vision On 12 September 2011 Council adopted the Emerald Hill Vision.

“Council’s vision is to create a vibrant arts and community hub to reinvigorate the precinct around South Melbourne Town Hall and to re-establish it as the cultural and civic heart of South Melbourne.”

The vision for Emerald Hill re-affirms the principles developed with extensive community consultation in the South Melbourne Central Structure Plan, South Melbourne Shopping Precinct Streetscape master plan in 2007 and reinforced by recent targeted stakeholder consultation in November 2010.

That is to:  Develop the role of the Emerald Hill precinct as a community hub and as a place for service delivery to the local community and beyond.  Foster the role of the Emerald Hill precinct as a cultural and creative focus for South Melbourne.  Create a vibrant, engaging environment which supports the local community, cultural and civic activities of Emerald Hill.

The vision reinforces these through the following deliverables:  Creating a vibrant and accessible South Melbourne Town Hall  A dynamic and engaging Town Hall forecourt  Refurbishing and expanding the Emerald Hill Library & Heritage Centre  222 Bank Street forming the core of a new arts focus and activity  Public realm improvements

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Council’s vision is to create a vibrant arts and community hub to reinvigorate the precinct around South Melbourne Town Hall and to re-establish it as the cultural and civic heart of South Melbourne.

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City of Port Phillip Emerald Hill master plan

The Precinct The Emerald Hill Vision covers the precinct from Park to Dorcas Streets, Clarendon Street to the east, and to Cecil Street in the west.

Emerald Hill is the physical, historical and civic centre for the South Melbourne community.

Key characteristics of the precinct are:  the South Melbourne Town Hall, library and police station that provide a civic focus to the centre of the precinct  significant Indigenous heritage, historically important buildings, urban form and streetscapes  a clearly visible clock tower that provides a visual and auditory focus for surrounding areas  a number of national and state arts and entertainment organisations are located within the precinct  a relatively low vehicle traffic environment  established public and private housing The street environment is consistent and of a reasonable standard. Footpaths and roads are finished in asphalt with dressed bluestone kerbs and bluestone cobble gutters. Footpaths around the sides and rear of the building are narrow and obstructed by street trees. There are numerous street trees and a number of mature specimen trees. The streetscape is rich in period detail and evocative old signage.

This part of South Melbourne has a formal and unique street pattern around the South Melbourne Town Hall building. The building is set within the open spaces of the forecourt and Marshall Street car park. There are also two open space squares within the precinct. Both are underutilised, mainly due to lack of natural surveillance.

One is currently used as a car park in Emerald Hill Place. Both would be improved by increased adjacent population to support the parks with natural surveillance.

Current uses in the Town Hall and precinct buildings provide some activation to the precinct. The key to the precinct’s long term success however, are improvements that encourage people to use the public realm and create opportunities for events.

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Marshall Street

Ballantyne Room

Forecourt gardens (new

Pocket Parks (re-instatement of

(flexible use existing car parking and occassional closure for events)

(Enhance existing facilities, commercial kitchen, modify loading dock, opportunity for function venue)

gardens with trees and soft landscaping, improved seating, lighting and shade, stormwater capture)

‘pocket park’ quality to eastern car park, improve parks for public use, existing protection from prevailing winds)

North Service Yard

Side entries

222 Bank Street

(new destination point, north orientation, protection from prevailing winds)

(enhance existing entry points, improve wayfinding, DDA compliand, improved shade and sun protection)

(facade activation, enhanced building and street corner, ‘vertical garden screen wall)

Enhanced Promenade

Gallery and Auditorium

Forecourt events (organised events, new material patterns to enhance forecourt experience, define service vehicle zone)

Library Courtyard (organised

(Gallery space, new auditorium foyer to optimise community access)

and spontaneous events, improved seating and lighting, connection to Town Hall forecourt through new paving material)

(widen footpaths to provide pedestrian space, improved lighting and seating, modified parking)

South West prevailing winds Important Views

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City of Port Phillip Emerald Hill master plan

Bank Street facade, South Melbourne Town Hall

2011 Community Open Day

Marshall Street car park

Ballantyne Room north facade

Historic streetscape example, corner Perrin and Park street

Surrounding built form styles

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places to gather

places to perform

places to relax

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City of Port Phillip Emerald Hill master plan

Objectives The Emerald Hill master plan seeks to influence the design of new public realm opportunities, the programming of events around the Town Hall and how people get to and move around the precinct – by walking, cycling, public transport or car. Projects are planned to support and strengthen the form and the use of the precinct. The master plan also includes art, signage and public lighting.

The Emerald Hill master plan will provide the framework to guide the next 15 years of public realm improvements. The projects are described on pages 22 to 49 and have been identified to:  encourage people to use the public realm  create opportunities for events  improve the overall look, feel and function of the area The master plan does not provide detailed designs that can be directly translated into capital works projects. Each project will require detailed technical design prior to implementation.

11 Master plan: objectives

LAYFIELD ST

FISHLEY ST

DORCAS ST

SOUTH MELBOURNE TOWN HALL COPP

ANAM

BANK ST

PERRINS ST

CECIL ST

CLARENDON ST

BANK ST

PARK ST

Existing use with active street presence

Town Hall Auditorium

Activation of street frontage

Possible Marshall St closure

Town Hall south forecourt

(reveal functions of Arts Access & Auspicious Arts Incubator)

(Public/pedestrian use; spontaneous events)

(organised events, improved seating, shade & lighting)

Possible performance space

Town Hall north forecourt

(Art installations, connection to auditorium, new entry to TH)

(solar access, more seating, reduced carparking, spontaneous events)

Potential to activate rear of library (connection to

(Optimise community access, cabaret festival, school events, functions)

New building use (restaurant, weddings, functions, street activation)

“pocket park”)

Reinstatement of “pocket park” quality

City of Port Phillip Emerald Hill master plan

Development of the master plan In 2010 Council commissioned Jackson Clements Burrows Architects to prepare a series of design concepts for public realm improvements around the South Melbourne Town Hall to provoke discussion about the future. The public realm concepts were prepared to highlight opportunities to:  develop a cohesive precinct character  maintain views from Dorcas Street to the rear of the Town Hall  improve the forecourt to allow the space in front of the Town Hall to be used for public events  widen the footpath around the Town Hall building to improve its setting and the general levels of accessibility in the precinct  re-organise car parking around the building to provide better amenity  enhance the profile of existing entrances  improve night time appearance and safety The architects also identified opportunities to:  create a new public space in the north courtyard, with short, medium and longer term possibilities  identify possible longer term uses for the Ballantyne Room  screen 222 Bank Street and provide an attractive backdrop to the Town Hall Council received community feedback on these public realm concepts at two information sessions, written submissions from stakeholders, completion of an online survey, as well as several face to face meetings. There was also an opportunity to address the Council at a Council meeting in August 2011.

Consultation identified the following requirements as being important to future works in the precinct:  frame key views of the Shrine of Remembrance from Bank Street and of the South Melbourne Town Hall from the corner of Park and Perrin streets  maintain or increase the amount of soft landscaping  be mindful of the heritage of the South Melbourne Town Hall  avoid use of strong contrasting colours, such as red, in addition to the Town Hall building

CECIL ST

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MARSHALL ST

DORCAS ST

SOUTH MELBOURNE TOWN HALL

LAYFIELD ST

FISHLEY ST

DALY ST

BANK ST

PERRINS ST

CECIL ST

CLARENDON ST

BANK ST

PARK

CARPARK

PARK ST

Existing use with active street presence

North Courtyard (performances, cafe and new use for former fire station residence )

Ballantyne Room: Daly and Layfield St activation

Town Hall and Library forecourts (improved seating,

(restaurant, weddings, functions, street activation)

shade and lighting, space for organised events)

Library (separate project)

Marshall Street Limited closure (flexible use for organised events)

North Courtyard (new gallery

Town Hall side entries

and Auditorium foyer)

(Improve wayfinding and access)

Daly, Fishley & Layfield Streets (improved pedestrian

Town Hall Auditorium

222 Bank Street (improve

(optimise community access)

access to building and provide an attractive setting for the Town Hall)

amenity and improved setting for Town Hall)

Park (future consideration reinstatement of pocket park quality)

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City of Port Phillip Emerald Hill master plan

Relationship to Council Plan and Strategy The preparation of an Emerald Hill master plan is consistent with the 2009 – 2013 Council Plan:  Support and revitalise arts precincts across the city as integrated arts, learning and cultural centres (Action 3.2.3).  Integrate approach to the revitalisation of neighbourhoods based on sustainable urban design (Action 4.1.1).  Ensure that new development makes a positive contribution to the public realm (Action 4.2.1).

City of Port Phillip’s Vision for Public Open Space (2009) is A city where public open spaces define the city’s character and respond to its people’s need for places to rest, recreate and be inspired.

The Open Space Strategy sets out key strategies addressing issues of higher population densities and participation trends in the City of Port Phillip. The most pertinent to this precinct include:  Use of streetscapes as attractive open spaces for social and casual recreation and exercise  Provision of attractive walking and bike riding spaces  Provision of public plazas where traditional green open spaces might not be feasible  Provision of spaces for communal interaction in high density housing  Provision of lighting at key open spaces to provide safe 24 hour access  Creation of links between existing open spaces The Emerald Hill master plan is informed by extensive earlier consultation which occurred as part of the South Melbourne Central Structure Plan 2005 and the South Melbourne Shopping Precinct Streetscape Masterplan in 2007.

The development of the Emerald Hill precinct as a civic, community and arts ‘hub’ implements a key strategic direction of the South Melbourne Central Structure Plan (2007) and associated planning scheme policy for this area.

The Emerald Hill master plan is also consistent with South Melbourne Central Structure Plan (2005). This document sets the goal for Emerald Hill to:  Develop the role of the Emerald Hill precinct a community hub and as a place for service delivery to the local community, and beyond.  Foster the role of the Emerald Hill precinct as the cultural and creative focus for South Melbourne Central.  Create a vibrant, engaging environment which supports the community, cultural and civic activities of the Emerald Hill precinct.

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artist’s impression, Bank and Fishley street corner

artist’s impression, Daly and Layfield street corner

artist’s impression, Marshall Street car park

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City of Port Phillip Emerald Hill master plan

Indigenous cultural heritage Emerald Hill is thought to have been a traditional social and ceremonial meeting place for a number of Indigenous groups. A great gathering had been witnessed there in 1840 by a number of the early European settlers.1 This is supported by a painting of a corroboree on Emerald Hill in 1840 by W.F.E Liardet, held at State Library of Victoria collection.

In 1840 Richard Howitt described fifty men dancing in Emerald Hill assisted by the musical accompaniment of women as a performance to “haunt the soul for years afterwards�.2 The Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 provides protection for all Aboriginal places, objects and human remains in Victoria. There is a requirement to report discovered Aboriginal heritage.

The works proposed in the master plan are not on the list of specified high impact activities. The trigger for a Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP) is excavation resulting in significant ground disturbance. Therefore a preparation of a CHMP is voluntary. A CHMP identifies and records significant heritage places and values with the assistance of local Elders and develop recommendations for the protection of significant heritage places.

There is no Registered Aboriginal Party for Emerald Hill. Three groups have a registered interest in the study area; the Wurunjeri, the Bunurong and the Boon Wurrung.

The reflection of Indigenous history on the site and the development of suitable ways to celebrate and preserve this history are appropriate. Community consultation supported the celebration of Indigenous history in future works.

Actions 1. Indigenous heritage is to be celebrated through art projects and interpretive signage

1

Source: http://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/history_port_phillip.htm

2

Source: http://skhs.org.au/~SKHSflood/The_Traditional_Owners.htm

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A corroboree on Emerald Hill in 1840 by W. F. E. Liardet. Collection of the State Library of Victoria

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City of Port Phillip Emerald Hill master plan

European Heritage The South Melbourne Town Hall is a local landmark and one of Victoria’s grandest Town Halls. Designed by successful Victorian architect, Charles Webb, it symbolises the prosperity and confidence of the municipality in the 19th Century. The Town Hall is built on an elevated site with outstanding landmark and townscape qualities. The building has four street frontages and enjoys a prominent position on the crest of Emerald Hill.

The Town Hall’s giant order Corinthian portico, matching pilasters and an imposing clock tower dominate Emerald Hill and the heritage significance of the building extends to its surroundings. The Town Hall has a formal, axial and symmetrical relationship with its surrounding streetscapes. The relatively intact Victorian streetscape and coherence of the built form is a clear strength of the precinct.

Dr Phillip Goad, in his publication on Melbourne architecture, notes the following about the site; On the suburb’s most prominent site, Charles Webb (1821-98) produced one of the period’s most accomplished urban designs, as well as an assured complex of giant order Corinthian pilastered and columned bays flanking a portico topped by a dramatically telescoping pile of classical forms. … The building originally contained offices, a public hall, Mechanics Institute, fire station, post office, police station and court house. Some of these were later relocated directly opposite, creating a precinct of distinguished municipal structures.

The South Melbourne Town Hall is on the National and Victorian Heritage Registers (VHR), and the latter includes the Jubilee Memorial Fountain. The Emerald Hill precinct is on the VHR as citation H1136. City of Port Phillip’s own Heritage Review Citations also cover most of the precinct.

Heritage constraints include:  the Jubilee fountain and its context  permanent structures that interrupt views to the Town Hall building, particularly to the front and rear elevations  historic street lamps in Bank Street and Daly Street The heritage citation does not cover the road, forecourt and footpath around the town hall building.

Principle  The streetscape is formal, grand, confident and symmetrical. Introduced projects will need to employ similar strategies to make a positive contribution to the streetscape.

19 Projects - the South Melbourne Town Hall The South Melbourne Town Hall has a grand civic history. It is vital to maintain a civic role and community access to this building. The South Melbourne Town Hall will continue to provide a meeting location for the community. All changes to the Town Hall building will require approval from Heritage Victoria.

Actions

2. The process for hiring the South Melbourne Theatrette will be clarified to allow for easier community bookings

fire station court house town hall

mechanics institute & library

post office

The South Melbourne Town Hall was a collection of civic buildings including Post Office, Mechanics Institute and Library, Town Hall, Fire Station and Court House

View of Fishley and Bank Street circa 1900 1909

Aerial view of Emerald Hill circa 1930

c PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES SUPPLIED FROM THE PORT PHILLIP CITY COLLECTION 2011

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City of Port Phillip Emerald Hill master plan

Principles Principles underpinning the master plan provide a rationale to guide future work. These are divided into three categories; precinct, use and form.

Precinct princples    

strengthen the cohesive sense of place and character maintain the human scale improve safety and perception of safety protect and enhance key views of: o the Shrine of Remembrance from Bank Street o the Town Hall from Park Street o the rear of the town hall from Dorcas Street  create a range of public spaces for quiet contemplation, public gathering and events  maximise pedestrian access through the precinct  improve amenity for pedestrians and cyclists Use principles  encourage uses that support street life  design for everyone (universal access)  transform inactive building edges to provide an engaging experience to the street  support the use of pocket parks Form principles  adopt a consistent theme of materials and detailing complementary to the precinct’s heritage character, without resorting to pastiche  provide a contemporary counterpoint, whilst remaining complementary to heritage, in line with Burra Charter and Council heritage policy  design public realm improvements to be physically robust, for ease of repair and relatively low levels of maintenance  improve way finding around the precinct and neighbourhood context  implement a sustainable landscape theme: Examples of this could include the use of drought tolerant plants, warm season grasses, low energy public lighting, alternative water sources and water sensitive urban design.

Reference - City of Port Phillip’s Vision for Public Open Space (2009)

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Key view of South Melbourne Town Hall down Perrin Street from Park Street (circa 1903 - 1913) c PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES SUPPLIED FROM THE PORT PHILLIP CITY COLLECTION 2011

Protect and enhance key view to the Shrine of Remembrance

2008 aerial plan showing heritage overlay in yellow and precinct boundary in red

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City of Port Phillip Emerald Hill master plan

Staging the projects The projects will need to be staged, subject to existing Council commitments, funding, and further consultation processes. The goal for each of project is identified followed by a number of actions to achieve this goal in the short, medium and long terms:  Short term  Medium term  Long term The projects presented in the Emerald Hill master plan are • • • • • • • • •

the North Courtyard the Ballantyne Room Town Hall side entries Town Hall forecourt Town hall setting Marshall Street 222 Bank Street Public Art Lighting and safety

23 Summary of project staging

Short term close Bank Street slip lane, trees, paving, lawn and planting to Town Hall forecourt works to open up North Courtyard universal access to 222 Bank Street explore options to expand open space opportunities in the precinct and provide visual surveillance from new library

Medium term

Long term

Marshall Street bollards

new use Ballantyne Room

car parking changes in Layfield, Daly and Fishley Street

new use for the former fire station residence in North Courtyard

improved entrance to ASSIST

improved Fishley Street entrance

Library forecourt

facade works to 222 Bank Street

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City of Port Phillip Emerald Hill master plan

Projects - the North Courtyard An existing service yard is available to the rear of the building and allows direct access to Daly Street. This north-facing open space could support a range of activities.

Greater access to the courtyard will allow the community to better appreciate the civic buildings that once made up the Town Hall complex; post office, court house, fire station, and town hall.

The proposed concept offers a number of scenarios.

In the short term, the wide staircases would be used for public seating during film screening or other performances. With some minor modification over time, the Courtyard space could accommodate a cafe with a north-facing outdoor dining space.

This space will create an inviting and engaging experience that is child friendly.

Over the longer term, and with a more substantial program of work, the Courtyard could accommodate a gallery and an informal Auditorium foyer. Additionally, the location of a former Fire Station residence would make a functional home for an artist in residence program. This is of interest to a number of local arts organisations and would continue the tradition of a residence in the Town Hall.

Short term actions: 3. Provide alternate bin storage in a discrete fenced area within the North Courtyard 4. Introduce landscaping such as pot plants to change perception from a utilitarian space to one that is playful and enjoyable Medium term actions: 5. Provide alternate toilet facilities 6. Improve accessibility to ground floor facilities 7. Lease cafÊ space Long term actions: 8. Investigate the feasibility of re-using the former fire station residence 9. Investigate the feasibility of gallery space to show Council’s collection and contemporary art

Location plan

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short term plan for North Courtyard, also shown (dashed) is a plan of the old Firestation Master’s house

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City of Port Phillip Emerald Hill master plan

Projects - the Ballantyne Room The Ballantyne room was originally a Court House and part of a broader civic function that the building represented when it was conceived. The name refers to the grand chandelier presented to the City of South Melbourne by the locally prominent Ballantyne family.

Changes to the use of the Ballantyne Room are a long term proposition, post the existing use and tenancy by the current tenant, the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) and the FareShare student program. Council’s current lease with ANAM expires in 2017.

There is an opportunity to utilise the commercial kitchen adjacent to the Ballantyne Room to service a restaurant or a function centre. There are also prospects for limited outdoor dining spaces and public seating areas to wrap around this corner of the Town Hall and take advantage of its northerly orientation and support street activity of the improved footpath environment.

Medium term actions: 10. Investigate feasibility for the Ballantyne Room to be used as a function centre or restaurant 11. Introduce additional outdoor seating to encourage street activity that complements the uses of the Ballantyne Room.

Location plan

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artist’s impressions showing Daly and Layfield Street with long term use of the Ballantyne Room as a function centre with outdoor seating.

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City of Port Phillip Emerald Hill master plan

Projects - Town Hall side entries The side entries to the Town Hall access existing functions, namely Council’s ASSIST centre, accessed from Fishley Street, and ANAM’s reception, accessed from Layfield Street. The visual address of these should be improved as part of reinforcing less formal connections to the building, but should not detract from the formal ceremonial front entry to the building.

Any built elements should be stand-alone features and limit their impact on the Town Hall building. Views along Fishley Street from Bank to Daly Street and along Layfield Street from Bank to Daly Street will be an important consideration in the design.

Heritage Victoria will be consulted. New designs for the entrances should explore the use of story telling and historic images.

In the short term, there will be improved signage and wayfinding in the precinct.

In the medium term the legibility of the Fishley Street entrance will be improved. The design will use story telling and historic images as part of the side entry design.

In the long term the Layfield entrance will be upgraded in the space provided by the proposed car parking changes. This will provide access for all and a greater sense of address.

Short term actions: 12. Develop and install improved signage and way finding in this precinct Medium term actions: 13. Design a more visible western entrance for Fishley Street Long term actions: 14. Upgrade the Layfield Street entry

Location plan

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Exemplar - side entry Fitzroy Town Hall - Library

Exemplar - New York Public Library public entrance

Use of sculpture to highlight a public entrance Mercury Rising sculpture by Matt Harding

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City of Port Phillip Emerald Hill master plan

Projects - Town Hall Forecourt The Town Hall forecourt will be a newly landscaped public square that strengthens the role of the Town Hall as South Melbourne’s civic hub. It will be highly flexible in accommodating a range of public events and providing a range of spaces and opportunities. The uses of this space will provide many reasons to visit the forecourt, including formal and informal places to sit and to meet, art to look at, music to listen to, history to experience, a water feature to look at and bicycle facilities to use.

The design will respect the formal nature and heritage of the Town Hall. It will strengthen the relationship between the Town Hall building and the memorial fountain and it will remove existing stepped level changes. The use of the existing lawn areas will be tested to fine tune the future layout and design.

This new forecourt will increase the useable landscaped area and provide public seating set under trees and within low lying planting. It will be accessible to all and create spaces that enable activities and groups to gather as well as allow for quiet contemplation. The design of the forecourt will need to acknowledge that it can be a windy space and design shelter appropriate to enable public use. Design of the space will be carried out in partnership with Heritage Victoria.

The initial concept prepared shows a new bluestone and coloured concrete paving around the Town Hall, extending to Fishley, Daly and Layfield Streets. Any patterning should complement the facades of the Town Hall building and its formal pattern of architectural elements.

The choice of paving material should be based on: ease of maintenance, ability to be reused, ability to support vehicle access, and within the set construction budget. Options to be considered are: • Asphalt with bluestone kerb and channel • Decorative asphalt surfacing pattern • Bluestone paving • Coloured concrete paving Paved areas should be protected with anti skate boarding fixtures.

Location plan

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Exemplar - forecourt of State Library of Victoria, designed by Hassell

Exemplar - seating for relaxed seating, High Line, New York

Exemplar - watching an outdoor performance on the steps of the New York Public Library

Sketch plan showing view down Perrin Street to Bank Street with changes to the forecourt.

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City of Port Phillip Emerald Hill master plan

Short term actions: 15. Partner with community and local organisations to increase the use of the forecourt for events, market stalls, exhibitions to occur alongside current uses 16. Provide and clearly delineated occasional vehicle access to the forecourt, instal bollards 17. Document current use of the forecourt to better plan for gaps in use 18. Create a large accessible area for events 19. Install a poster bollard to promote the events in the precinct 20. Design a formal public space to complement the South Melbourne Town Hall 21. Increase the amount of shade and landscaping 22. Design grassed areas for casual use to allow people to lounge in the sun (refer to grassed slopes of the State Library forecourt as an exemplar) 23. Investigate Water Senstive Urban Design, such as bio retention tree pits 24. Plant deciduous trees to celebrate the seasons and to allow for full views of the town hall building in winter and to provide summer shade 25. Plant understorey plans which are seasonal, fragrant, and colourful 26. Install seats that are contextual to the heritage of the precinct and inviting to use

Location plan

33

Plan of forecourt - short term

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City of Port Phillip Emerald Hill master plan

Paving

concrete pavers

concrete pavers

small unit pavers

small unit pavers

stone pavers

concrete pavers with metal inset

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concrete pavers in asphalt

stone pavers set in asphalt

asphalt with pattern applied in asphalt surfacing pattern

asphalt surfacing pattern

asphalt surfacing pattern

asphalt surfacing pattern

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City of Port Phillip Emerald Hill master plan

Projects - Town Hall setting - road space, car parking and pedestrian amenity The existing car parking in Bank, Perrin, Fishley, Daly and Layfield streets is generally well utilised (at 80% or above during weekdays). In evening periods the existing car parking is less well used (40%-60%). Traffic and parking utilisation is at its highest during business hours, when a mixture of offices workers, patrons and a portion of residents use the area. Weekend usage is moderate and this is reflected in the car parking restrictions applying from Monday to Friday or Monday to Saturday. Usage of the parking around the perimeter of the Town Hall is mainly associated with Council services, Art Access, and the Music Academy followed by visitors to the area and residents.

The forecourt design is based on a reduction of car parking within the setting of the Town Hall. This will improve the physical setting of the Town Hall building by creating a more generous space for walking and cycling. There will be a staged removal of 29 existing car parking spaces;  6 spaces in Fishley Street  6 spaces in Layfield Street  9 spaces in Daly Street  8 spaces in Bank Street drive way (part of Forecourt works) The removal of car parking will have limited local effects;  parking will be maintained close to the ASSIST entrance in Fishley Street and in Daly Street, both of which can also service the residential dwellings on the opposite side  there is Permit Parking available to residents in Fishley and Daly streets during the time when parking utilisation of the area is at its highest during (business hours)  after hours the utilisation of on-street parking is generally low in Bank Street between Cecil and Clarendon streets  if events do occur in the evening, the demand for parking is not likely to affect the current availability

Location plan

37 Short term actions: 27. Optimise loading available in the town hall building 28. Provide way finding signs to indicate the public transport available in the area as well as the bicycle routes running in Cecil, Park and Moray streets Medium term actions: 29. Re-organise car parking in Layfield , Daly and Fishley streets to provide better amenity 30. Widen the footpath around the Town Hall building to improve its setting and the general levels of accessibility in the precinct 31. Install two accessible parking spaces at end bays in Fishley Street 32. Require Green Travel Plans for existing and future tenants of Town Hall as part of lease agreements 33. Control event parking demand through event conditions 34. Investigate the potential for car share use by tenants and residents Long term actions: 35. Rebuild all vehicle crossings to the Town Hall to current standards 36. Provide pram and disabled crossings to enhance access between the two sides of Bank Street near Perrins Street

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City of Port Phillip Emerald Hill master plan

Projects - Marshall Street Marshall Street has a strong axial relationship with the rear facade of the Town Hall auditorium. This handsome view is framed by a stand of mature street trees. Both should be retained as the key elements of this sub precinct. It also faces North which makes it attractive for temporary year round uses.

In the short term, the Marshall Street car park will be occasionally used as a flexible event zone to hold exhibitions, installations, musical performances and the like. In the medium term, the design of Marshall Street will allow for easy transformation between car parking and event mode. In the longer term, the image of the Marshall Street car park will be improved. Marshall Street will continue to be a car park with ability to be used as a flexible event space. Throughout, the existing matre trees will be retained.

Short term actions: 37. Organise temporary road closures to enable temporary event use. partner with community and local organisations to increase the use of Marshall Street for occasional events Medium term actions: 38. Maintain the use and capacity for car parking 39. Maintain key axial views from Dorcas Street to the rear of the Town Hall 40. Instal bollards to create the ability to close the area to cars to be used as a event space Long term actions: 41. Establish a cohesive precinct character through paving treatment consistent with the Town Hall forecourt

Location plan

39

artist’s impression Marshall Street from Dorcas Street

artist’s impression aerial view of Marshall Street

artist’s impression Marshall and Daly Street

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City of Port Phillip Emerald Hill master plan

Projects - 222 Bank Street 222 Bank Street is located on the corner of Fishley and Bank street, adjacent to the Town Hall. The building is owned by Council and is leased to an arts organisation.

The existing building has undergone a number of modifications since it was built in the 1960s. The latest extension is circa 1980’s.

In the short term and medium 222 Bank Street, will continue to provide opportunities for the public to access art programs. Improvements to the building universal access needs to be investigated.

In the longer term, improvements to 222 Bank will provide an attractive backdrop to the South Melbourne Town Hall on the corner of Bank and Fishley street and help provide a visual termination of the public space. The arts organisations located in 222 Bank Street to continue to provide art programs for the public.

Short term actions: 42. Investigate provision of universal access to all levels of the building Medium term actions: 43. Install a lift to access all floors of 222 Bank Street Long term actions 44. Carry out further consultation with building users about extent of vertical garden 45. Maintain light and ventilation to office space investigate a vertical garden to wrap the building form, consider future maintenance 46. Establish an attractive backdrop to the Town Hall

Location plan

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Plan of 222 Bank Street facade improvements

artist’s impression view of 222 Bank Street corner Bank and Fishley street

artist’s impression Bank Street facade

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City of Port Phillip Emerald Hill master plan

Projects - Library Forecourt The library forecourt will be a landscaped space for informal meetings and relaxation.

There will be a variety of reasons to visit the library forecourt; including formal and informal places to sit and to meet, art to look at, music to listen to, history to experience, a water feature to look at and use, bicycle facilities to use.

In the short term, the Library forecourt will be designed concurrently with the design of the new Library and Heritage Centre.

Over the medium term to longer term, the library forecourt will provide places to meet and relax to complement the spaces of the Library and Heritage Centre.

Options to expand open space opportunities in the precinct will be explored as opportunities arise.

Short term actions: 47. Commission the design of the library forecourt 48. Create formal and informal places to sit outside 49. Include trees to provide summer shade 50. Plant understorey plants which are seasonal, fragrant, and colourful Medium term actions: 51. Explore options to expand open space opportunities in the precinct

Location plan

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Create formal and informal places to sit, exemplar Union Square

Create formal and informal places to sit, exemplar Bryant Park

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City of Port Phillip Emerald Hill master plan

Projects - Public Art A curatorial rationale for art in the Emerald Hill precinct will be developed. The rationale will support art that celebrates Indigenous history of the area and tells the history of the precinct and stories of past civic events.

Short term actions: 52. Develop and adopt a curatorial rationale to guide the commissioning process for art in the precinct: 53. Establish a shortlist of qualified public artists Medium and Long term actions: 54. Commission forecourt artwork

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Exemplar of site specific sculpture by Matt Harding

Exemplar of integrated artwork example, seating by Stephen Newton

Exemplar of site specific sculpture, Caulfield Park

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City of Port Phillip Emerald Hill master plan

Projects - Lighting and safety The precinct is perceived to be dark and unwelcoming at night.

Existing building lighting is composed of:  internally illuminated clock faces on the clock tower  flood lights located on the roof and aimed at each of the four sides of the clock tower  two pole mounted floodlights located in front of the building, on the south side of Bank Street and aimed at the building facade Some of the existing external lighting is not working.

There is ambient lighting around the building from the public street lighting on the adjacent paths which provides some illumination of the building walls. The are heritage street lamps located in Bank and Daly strees.

Strategies to improve the lighting of the precinct and the Town Hall building seek to improve the night time amenity and image. This is based on the objectives of the City of Port Phillip Lighting Strategy which seeks to provide safe access to high profile spaces and public transport connections.

There is a need to balance the benefits of additional lighting with the amenity of adjoining residential uses in Fishley, Marshall, Daly and Layfield streets.

In the short term, light up the fully restored Bank Street façade of the South Melbourne Town Hall, highlighting:  columns at the main entrance  columns at two secondary doors  pediment at front entry  clock tower  first floor arched windows  upper section of walls  mansard roofs

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Current lighting levels Bank Street

Current lighting levels Daly Street

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City of Port Phillip Emerald Hill master plan

Over time, the Daly Street façade of the South Melbourne Town Hall will be illuminated. Also additional general “floodâ€? lighting of the building walls will be installed to ensure that the building can be adequately seen from all viewing distances and angles, and so that there is not excessive contrast with the highlighted feature elements. The lighting will be subtle to complement and not compete with the highlighting of feature elements. Additional lighting will be installed to improve night time appearance, safety and perceptions of safety. The use of pole mounted light fittings, will be carefully positioned to minimise perceived clutter around the building.

In the longer term, improve the uniformity of illumination of the town hall walls and footpaths in Bank and Daly streets. The light distribution from the heritage light fittings is directed sidewards and upwards. This results in non uniform illumination of the town hall walls, with some sections of wall brightly lit and other sections unlit.

Short term actions: 55. Commission and implement a design to light up the Bank Street facade of the South Melbourne Town Hall Medium term actions: 56. Implement a design to light up the Daly street facade of the South Melbourne Town Hall 57. Install new pole mounted light fittings on existing power poles at the rear and sides of the building, with Citipower approval Long term actions: 58. Carry out a night lighting trial 59. Replace the optical systems within the heritage lamp posts to achieve a more even illumination of wall surfaces

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Lighting scheme circa 1934

Lighting scheme circa 1950 c IMAGES SUPPLIED FROM THE PORT PHILLIP CITY COLLECTION 2011

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City of Port Phillip Emerald Hill master plan

Deliverables/Actions Short term actions

1. Indigenous heritage is to be celebrated through art projects and interpretive signage 2. The process for hiring the South Melbourne Theatrette will be clarified to allow for easier community bookings 3. Provide alternate bin storage in a discrete fenced area within the North Courtyard 4. Introduce landscaping such as pot plants to change perception from a utilitarian space to one that is playful and enjoyable 5. Develop and install improved signage and way finding in this precinct 6. Partner with community and local organisations to increase the use of the forecourt for events, market stalls, exhibitions to occur alongside current uses 7. Provide and clearly delineated occasional vehicle access to the forecourt, instal bollards 8. Document current use of the forecourt to better plan for gaps in use 9. Create a large accessible area for events (Forecourt) 10. Install a poster bollard to promote the events in the precinct (Forecourt) 11. Design a formal public space to complement the South Melbourne Town Hall (Forecourt) 12. Increase the amount of shade and landscaping (Forecourt) 13. Design grassed areas for casual use to allow people top lounge in the sun (refer to grassed slopes of the State Library forecourt as an exemplar) (Forecourt) 14. InvestigateWater Sensitive Urban Design, such as bio retention tree pits (Forecourt) 15. Plant deciduous trees to celebrate the seasons and to allow for full views of the town hall building in winter and to provide summer shade (Forecourt) 16. Plant understorey plans which are seasonal, fragrant, and colourful (Forecourt) 17. Install seats that are contextual to the heritage of the precinct and inviting to use (Forecourt)

In Progress

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51 18. Optimise loading available in the town hall building 19. Provide way finding signs to indicate the public transport available in the area as well as the bicycle routes running in Cecil, Park and Moray streets 20. Organise temporary road closures to enable temporary event use. partner with community and local organisations to increase the use of Marshall Street for occasional events 21. Investigate provision of universal access to all levels of the 222 Bank Street building 22. Commission the design of the library forecourt 23. Create formal and informal place sto sit outside 24. Include trees to provide summer shade 25. Plant understorey plants which are seasonal, fragrant and colourful 26. Develop and adopt a curatorial rationale to guide the commissioning process for art in the precinct: 27. Establish a shortlist of qualified public artists 28. Commission and implement a design to light up the Bank Street facade of the South Melbourne Town Hall

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City of Port Phillip Emerald Hill master plan

Medium term actions

In Progress

29. Provide alternate toilet facilities in the North Courtyard 30. Improve accessibility to ground floor facilities in the North Courtyard 31. Lease cafĂŠ space in the North Courtyard 32. Investigate the feasibility for the Ballantyne Room to be used as a function centre or restaurant 33. Introduce additional outdoor seating to encourage street activity that complements the uses of the Ballantyne Room 34. Design a more visible western entrance for Fishley Street 35. Re-organise car parking in Layfield , Daly and Fishley streets to provide better amenity 36. Widen the footpath around the Town Hall building to improve its setting and the general levels of accessibility in the precinct 37. Install two accessible parking spaces at end bays in Fishley Street 38. Require Green Travel Plans for existing and future tenants of Town Hall as part of lease agreements 39. Control event parking demand through event conditions 40. Investigate the potential for car share use by tenants and residents 41. Maintain the use and capacity for car parking in Marshall Street 42. Maintain key axial views from Dorcas Street to the rear of the Town Hall 43. Instal bollards to create the ability to close the area to cars to be used as a event space (Marshall Street) 44. Install a lift to access all floors of 222 Bank Street 45. Explore options to expand open space opportunities in the precinct 46. Commission forecourt artwork 47. Implement a design to light up the Daly street facade of the South Melbourne Town Hall 48. Install new pole mounted light fittings on existing power poles at the rear and sides of the building, with Citipower approval

Long term actions

In Progress

53 49. Investigate the feasibility of re-using the former fire station residence 50. Investigate the feasibility of gallery space to show Council’s collection and contemporary art 51. Upgrade the Layfield Street entry 52. Rebuild all vehicle crossings to the Town Hall to current standards 53. Provide pram and disabled crossings to enhance access between the two sides of Bank Street near Perrins Street 54. Establish a cohesive precinct character through paving treatment consistent with the Town Hall forecourt 55. Carry out further consultation with building users about extent of vertical garden 56. Maintain light and ventilation to office space investigate a vertical garden to wrap the building form, consider future maintenance 57. Establish an attractive backdrop to the Town Hall 58. Carry out a night lighting trial 59. Replace the optical systems within the heritage lamp posts to achieve a more even illumination of wall surfaces

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City of Port Phillip Emerald Hill master plan

Contact us for a translation This information is provided by the City of Port Phillip to inform residents about Council services and responsibilities. For a translation of this information contact the Council’s interpreter service.

Chinese: 9679 9810 Greek: 9679 9811 Polish: 9679 9812 Russian: 9679 9813 Other languages: 9679 9814 本资料由 Port Phillip 市政厅提供，向居民提供 市政服务和责任方面的信息。和市政厅的翻译 联系，索取翻译资料。中文请拨 9679 9810。 Αυτές οι πληροφορίες παρέχονται από το Δήμο Port Phillip για την ενημέρωση των κατοίκων σχετικά με τις δημοτικές υπηρεσίες και υποχρεώσεις. Για μετάφραση αυτών των πληροφοριών επικοινωνήστε με την υπηρεσία διερμηνέων του δήμου. Κλήσεις στα ελληνικά 9679 9811. Эта информация об услугах и обязанностях муниципалитета Port Phillip представлена для жителей муниципалитета. Чтобы получить перевод этой информации, звоните в муниципальную службу переводчиков. На русском языке – звоните по тел. 9679 9813.

Niniejsza informacja pochodzi z Urzędu Gminy Port Phillip w celu powiadomienia mieszkańców o usługach i obowiązkach naszego Urzędu. Egzemplarz tej informacji w języku polskim otrzymać można kontaktując się ze służbą tłumaczeń Urzędu. Polski telefon 9679

9812.

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Postal Address: City of Port Phillip Private Bag 3, St Kilda,Vic 3182 ASSIST Call Centre: 9209 6777 Facsimile: 9536 2722 Website: www.portphillip.vic.gov.au Email: assist@portphillip.vic.gov.au TTy (hearing impaired telephone typewriter): 9209 6713 See the National Relay Service for more information SMS for the hearing impaired: 0432 005 405

Please contact ASSIST on 9209 6777 if you require a large print version of this brochure For a translation of this information contact the Council’s interpreter service

中文请拨 9679 9810 Κλήσεις στα ελληνικά 9679 9811 Polski telefon 9679 9812 На русском языке – звоните по тел 9679 9813

For all other languages call 9679 9814