21.12 infrastructure 21.12-1 overview roads

BAYSIDE PLANNING SCHEME

MUNICIPAL STRATEGIC STATEMENT - CLAUSE 21.12 PAGE 1 OF 77 FEBRUARY 2002

LOCAL PROVISION

21.12 INFRASTRUCTURE

21.12-1 Overview

Roads

Bayside’s road network consists of primary and secondary arterials, collector roads andlocal streets. The primary arterials are also declared roads with planning controls overaccess to and subdivision of abutting properties.

Except for State Highways (Nepean Highway and North Road east of Nepean Highway),Council and VicRoads share responsibility for all other arterials with Council having soleresponsibility for local streets. This includes road design and construction, maintenanceand traffic management.

The most significant traffic management issues in Bayside relate to access and safety alongBeach Road, together with local area traffic management to protect the amenity ofresidential areas. A further consideration may be the impact of Citylink and Docklands ontraffic along Beach Road.

A Local Area Traffic Management Strategy for Bayside formalises the process forproactive traffic management. Action plans in accordance with this strategy provide fortraffic control measures such as speed control, line marking, road humps, kerb alterations,signage and so on.

A system is also in place for rehabilitation and maintenance of pavements.

Bicycle network

The Principle Bicycle Network (PBN) is a proposed network of priority routes inmetropolitan Melbourne. It is a system of roads, streets and paths identified by VicRoadsto provide a continuous network for inter-district travel and recreational bicycle use.

In Bayside the PBN routes include the foreshore path, Elster Creek, Nepean Highway,Sandringham rail line reserve from Gardenvale Station to Brighton Beach Station, NorthRoad, South Road, Bay Road, Bluff Road, Reserve Road, Balcombe Road and CharmanRoad. Only some of these routes provide facilities, and options for improvement aredetailed in the Bayside Bicycle Strategy, 1997.

Public transport

Rail, tram and bus services provide direct links to central Melbourne with bus serviceconnections throughout Bayside. From an overall perspective, the northern and centralareas of Bayside generally have a better service than the southern part of the municipality.

Frequency, directness of routes, ease of use, safety and cost are significant factorsinfluencing use of the public transport system. Specifically, the change in zoneclassification at Brighton Beach Station provides a disincentive to catch the train atSandringham and Hampton and causes an increased demand for car parking at BrightonBeach Station.

The potential exists to build on the modal interchange role of several railway stationswithin Bayside. This is especially relevant with respect to Cheltenham Station, which hasbeen identified as a strategic modal interchange in Transporting Melbourne.

Public car parking

Whilst there is a view that car parking limitation may encourage use of alternativeenvironmentally friendly modes of transport, Council is committed to providing adequate



LOCAL PROVISION

car parking facilities in and around shopping centres and in appropriate locations along thecoast.

Therefore, the preparation of parking precinct plans to identify and address parking issuesin key activity centres is a high priority.

Drainage

The drainage network in Bayside primarily consists of Melbourne Water main drains withinnarrow catchments running from south-east to north-west into the bay and Council drainscollecting run-off from individual properties throughout the municipality. The latter feedinto the main drains or discharge directly into the bay.

Council drains are generally designed for the 1 in 5 year flood and any excess flood waterflows overland along roads and parks. Properties within areas that have limited or nooverland flow paths are more prone to flooding.

In response to urban consolidation policies and the need to reduce the risk of flooding,Council is developing a Stormwater Drainage Strategy and Developer Contributions Policy.The Strategy aims to identify high risk areas for setting priorities in relation to upgradingstormwater drains, controlling development and improving the quality of run-off to the bay.The Developer Contributions Policy will provide a planning framework for collectingcontributions toward the cost of upgrading relative to any increase in building sitecoverage.

Information on land liable to inundation by surcharge flows from main drains during theoccurrence of a one in 100-year flood will also be used in the development of the strategy.

Telecommunication and utility services

Above ground telecommunication and service cables have a significant visual impact,particularly along the foreshore.

Whilst Council’s position on telecommunication cables and service lines is that they shouldbe located below ground, underground services should be co-located and managed tominimise the impact on Council infrastructure, the root system of street trees and residentialamenity.

In addition, mobile telephone towers should be located on existing structures or located anddesigned to integrate with surroundings.

It is anticipated that changing technology over the next ten to fifteen years will result in lessintrusive methods of communication.

Community facilities and services

Changing demographics, behavioural patterns and community expectations, particularlywith respect to older people, have altered the demand for community facilities placing moreemphasis on independent living and service delivery.

This together with scarce resources has led to the rationalisation of facilities and services,and in some areas, a shift in responsibility from the public to private domain.

As a result, existing community facilities are often under-utilised and generally in poorcondition due to the low priority given to maintenance. There is also concern that thegeographic distribution of community facilities and services across the municipality is notequitable and does not always reflect community needs.

Furthermore, the need to reduce potential conflict between residential areas and communityuses, particularly schools and large organisations, is well recognised. The development ofmaster plans providing greater certainty for both the institutions and surrounding residentsis seen as an important step towards addressing these concerns.



LOCAL PROVISION

21.12-2 Key issues

§ Noise and air pollution from vehicle traffic has a detrimental impact on theenvironment.

§ Traffic congestion in commercial centres and through traffic in residential areas mayhave a detrimental impact on the amenity of the area.

§ The future role of Beach Road as a scenic Boulevard is dependent on careful roaddesign and effective traffic management.

§ Increased public transport usage provides significant environmental, social andeconomic benefits.

§ A shortage of car parking areas in peak periods in some shopping centres, industrialprecincts and along the foreshore is an ongoing concern.

§ Urban consolidation is putting extra strain on Council’s drainage and filtration systemwith potential detriment to low lying areas and the Bay.

§ The above ground infrastructure required for telecommunication and electrical servicesis detrimental to the visual amenity of the city.

§ Safe and convenient access to quality community facilities and services must beprovided on an equitable basis to all sections of the community.

§ Ad hoc re-development and expansion of existing community facilities may have anadverse impact on the amenity of surrounding areas.

21.12-3 Objectives, strategies and implementation

Objective 1

To facilitate vehicle movements in a safe and easy manner with minimal impact onresidential areas and the tourism potential of Bayside.

Strategies

Strategies to achieve this objective include:

§ Identify a road hierarchy that protects the amenity of sensitive areas and promotesBeach Road as a scenic boulevard.

§ Manage traffic flow to direct heavy vehicles along Nepean Highway.

§ Liaise with relevant authorities and neighbouring councils to improve pedestrian accessacross Beach Road.

§ Consult with the local community to improve road safety in local streets.

§ Ensure adequate road infrastructure replacement to maintain an appropriate level ofservice to road users, pedestrians and cyclists.

§ Require reinstatement of unused crossovers where development or redevelopmentoccurs.



LOCAL PROVISION

Objective 2

To promote Beach Road/The Esplanade as a foreshore tourist boulevard.

Strategies


§ Enhance the scenic and landscape qualities of the road.

§ Improve the management of urban design and landscaping adjacent to the road.

§ Improve the management of local/regional traffic issues associated with its function as amain road.

§ Encourage the diversion of freight/heavy traffic from Beach Road on to NepeanHighway.

§ Work with adjoining Councils to ensure consistent practices towards developing BeachRoad as a metropolitan coastal boulevard.

Objective 3

To improve energy efficiency and minimise greenhouse gas emissions/air pollution.

Strategies


§ Improve public transport access to local shopping centres and industrial areas.

§ Continue emphasis on appropriate transport for older persons.

§ Encourage use of public transport and commuter cycling through the provision ofadequate facilities and education programs.

§ Plan the relationship between land uses and transport to reduce vehicle trips wherepossible.

§ Lobby the Public Transport Corporation to include Hampton and Sandringham Stationswithin the Zone 1 fare category.

§ Improve air quality through tree planting along major traffic routes.

Objective 3

To ensure the provision of adequate and accessible car parking in shopping centres andindustrial areas.

Strategies


§ Prepare parking precinct plans to formulate policy in relation to car parkingrequirements for a new use or development in key activity centres and the olderindustrial precincts.



LOCAL PROVISION

Objective 4

To provide a drainage system that promotes the on-site retention and re-use of stormwaterrun-off, regulates overland flow to prevent flooding and improves water quality,particularly in terms of run-off to the Bay.

Strategies


§ Restrict site coverage and hard surface area where the drainage capacity is limited andthe area is subject to flooding.

§ Encourage recycling of storm water for use on gardens and nature strips.

§ Improve the quality of water entering the Bay through the installation of litter traps inappropriate locations, including on private property.

§ Identify areas that would benefit from controls under the Special Building overlay usingdrainage information from Melbourne Water and Council’s Engineering Department.

§ Investigate the need for and basis of developer contributions towards upgrading ofdrains that are under capacity and replacing drains that are beyond repair.

Objective 5

To reduce the impact of telecommunication and electrical services on the streetscape andthe foreshore.

Strategies


§ Promote the location of telecommunication and electrical cables below ground.

§ Consult with VicRoads and United Energy to facilitate the re-location of infrastructurefrom the foreshore.

§ Support a consistent policy on telecommunications infrastructure such as towers andsatellite dishes.

§ Establish protocols with service authorities in relation to utility services.

Objective 6

To provide high quality public and private community facilities and services based on theneeds and expectations of all age groups, including those with limited mobility and specialneeds.

Strategies


§ Improve the distribution and quality of public facilities and services.

§ Facilitate the development and use of private facilities where appropriate.

§ Ensure safe and easy access to community facilities and services.



LOCAL PROVISION

§ Maximise the use of existing public facilities and promote the collaborative use ofprivate facilities.

Objective 7

To ensure that schools and other large institutional uses and community facilities andservices are planned and developed to provide certainty for the organisation and communityand to minimise the impact on residential amenity and the natural environment.

Strategies


§ Encourage the preparation of master plans for all schools, hospitals, retirement villagesand other large institutional uses.

§ Involve the community in the future planning of these areas.

§ Regulate hours of operation of community facilities and services if appropriate.

§ Ensure the provision of adequate off-street car parking and drop-off areas.

Implementation

These strategies will be implemented by:

Policy and exercise of discretion

Zones and overlays

§ Applying the Road Zone – Category 1 to all declared roads to reflect their status underthe Transport Act, 1984.

§ Applying the Road Zone – Category 2 to all other major roads in Bayside to reflect theirstrategic importance as major traffic collectors.

§ Applying the Land Subject to Inundation Overlay to that part of Elsternwick Parksubject to inundation from Elster Creek to avoid intensifying the impacts of floodingthrough inappropriately located uses and developments.

§ Applying the Development Plan Overlay to private schools and hospitals/hostels thathave developed master plans to provide certainty for the schools and hospitals/hostelsand adjoining residents and minimise the impact of the facilities on residents.

§ Applying the Special Building Overlay to land affected by overland flows in stormevents that exceed the capacity of underground drainage systems.

Further strategic work

§ Completing a study to identify actions required to improve safety and access acrossBeach Road.

§ Developing a strategy for the management of Council’s roads and drainage assets.

§ Developing an integrated transport strategy based on a review of the existing roadhierarchy and local traffic volumes in the context of identifying optimum carryingcapacity and physical constraints.



LOCAL PROVISION

§ Investigating opportunities to develop Cheltenham Station as a key modal interchangewithin the region.

§ Developing a stormwater management plan to enhance water conservation and qualitycontrol of surface run-off from activity centres, industrial areas and new developmentsites.

§ Implementing the Special Building Overlay to protect urban areas from flooding causedby a major storm event (the one in one hundred year flood).

§ Developing a strategic rationale for the implementation of developer contributionstowards the upgrading of drainage where necessary.

§ Developing a strategy for the distribution, development and maintenance of publicfacilities and services.

Other actions

§ Using Local Area Traffic Management Plans to regulate traffic flows and pedestriansafety.

§ Preparing an inventory of car parking in the various precincts.

§ Undertaking actions adopted in the Bayside Bicycle Strategy, 1997.

§ Completing the capital works program for the Sandringham Urban Village Strategy,1998.

§ Completing the capital works program for maintenance of roads, footpaths and drains.

§ Completing a community facilities and services audit.

§ Formalising a consultation process for planning, development and use of communityfacilities.

§ Working in partnership with adjoining Bayside municipalities through the EasternBayside Traffic Committee to prepare an integrated strategy plan for the protection andimprovement of the Beach Road boulevard.

§ Developing a mechanism for the preparation and implementation of master plans forschools, hospitals, retirement villages and other large institutional uses.

Reference documents:

Principal Bicycle Network and Victorian Bicycle Strategy, 1993

Transporting Melbourne, 1996

Bayside Transport and Access Discussion Paper, April 1997

Bayside Bicycle Strategy, July 1997

Church Street Parking Study, July 1998

Sandringham Urban Village Strategy, 1998

21.12 infrastructure 21.12-1 overview roads

Documents