Our Towns Sustainable Centres Program

KilkivanNovember 2013

Our Towns: Sustainable Centres Program - Kilkivan

Introduction Gympie is a region of communities with a rich and vibrant history and, importantly, a future.

With the City of Gympie at its core, the network of rural and coastal communities provide important economic

support and employment to residents, and offer choice in lifestyle and residential living. There is pride in what has

been sustained in the communities, having faced difficulties in the last decade.

Nothing is taken for granted; and with an eye to the future, the Gympie Regional Council has embarked on a

program to improve the sustainability of the rural and coastal communities through streetscape and public space

beautification and improvement.

This is a summary of the report for the first stage of the OUR TOWNS – Sustainable Centres Program, focusing

on Kilkivan prepared by METER. The full OUR TOWNS report (August 2013) also includes Kandanga, which is

the subject of another summary document.

Methodology The Methodology was connected to the major themes of:

developing an understanding of the physical context and interrelations in Kilkivan;

respect for local community pride; and

public engagement and ownership.

The stages to undertake the project were an Inception Stage, where team members familiarised themselves

with background and context information and conducted a “study tour”; a Site Analysis Stage; an Opportunity

and Issues Stage; Preliminary Strategies Sketchbook Stage; Draft Concepts Stage; Community Consultation

Stage; review and Feedback Stage; and Final Draft.

Location of Kilkivan and its proximity to Gympie and to Kandanga

Community Consultation

Formal Community Survey Results Invitations delivered by mail to residents invited everyone to a “shopfront” in the main street of Kilkivan. Held over four hours on a Saturday, plans and sketches displayed ideas, opportunities and draft recommendations. The morning was well attended throughout. Council and consultant representatives answered questions and guided attendees.

Formal survey forms were attached to the invitations, and a summary of the feedback results are pictured below.

Questions 1 and 2

Question 3

Appraisal of Kilkivan's Strengths and Weaknesses

Green entries: Entries to the town from all directions are strongly framed by generous green

open spaces, mature trees and the backdrop of the surrounding hills.

Northerly Aspect, Surrounding Hills, Creek Corridor: Regional scale landscape elements

pervade the town and views from within the streets. This is reinforced through large open lots

and mature free standing trees.

Railway Heritage: Significant reminders remain of the importance of the railways in the town’s

history. There are significant opportunities to further interpret these stories and protect heritage

artefacts.

Settlement stories, block size, town moving, drover route: The town’s built fabric and

physical layout are formed by its unique history, including the scale and positioning of lots,

roads, and stock routes, and route of the railways. Respecting these conditions and making this

knowledge more accessible to visitors is a significant opportunity.

Parks: The town is well served by parkland, however furniture (such as seats, signs, shelters)

are of a “municipal” standard quality and detract from a unique character.

Main Street Size and Activity, Post Office: The width of Bligh Street and the crest of the road

to the west, define the central spine of the town and create a special character. There is an

opportunity for further street tree planting to provide more shade and less exposed hard surface,

without losing the wide appeal. Heavy traffic moves at speed through the street which conflicts

with the otherwise small scale nature of the township. The post office is a busy destination for

the community.

Council: The Council buildings are important physical and community anchors.

Street Trees: Existing street trees are working well in many areas of Bligh Street, but are

fragmented along the length of the street. Enhancement planting for the long term definition of

the street along its length is an opportunity. Other streets have an important open and informal

character and are more suitable to planting at specific locations.

Events, horses and rural activities: The town’s track record of successful events and horse

based recreation provides opportunities for further marketing, development of trails, and other

rural activities.

Horse Sculpture: The existing sculpture is a high quality and highly imagable component of the

towns character. Enhancing its visibility and iconic status in the town may be desirable.

Opportunities for Kilkivan

a) Supporting social and economic growth

Review of carparking for any new development for a focus on street parking so that

greenspace is retained

Bus Services should be considered

Interpretation facilities would encourage access of information to visitors

Coordinated marketing for events and tourist information eg. a photographic competition

A track record of events

Rail corridor could be used for public access and should not be lost through lack of

management or sale of land

Capture passing traffic and extend visitors stay through improved amenity and information

b) Reinforcing Community Pride

Relocate Horse sculpture to a more prominent position at the entry of the town

Restore street tree integrity to add character to the township

c) Physical Enhancement

Ensure event facilities are prioritised

New Street planting to Bligh Street for parking and pedestrians

Enhance Bligh Street footpaths and add shade

Screen Works Yard

d) Movement and Connections

New pedestrian crossings / refuge points

New Trails

Organise parking

Speed limit enforcement

e) Environment and Landscape

The existing town entries from the north and south are important parts of the arrival experience

Creek Corridor should be protected

Recommendations

Suggested Projects

Enhance Horse sculpture setting and visibility New planting, seating, paving to parkland areas; consider possible exercise equipment New planting and drop off area to Council Street New street tree planting to Bligh Street Selective angle parking at areas within Bligh Street; eg outside post office Ensure footpath along Bligh Street is accessible and continuous Signage and interpretation (various)

Other Tasks

Investigate Council Street / Bligh Street junction improvement Investigate two new pedestrian crossings / refuges

i. at eastern end accessing toilets and park, and ii. in centre of town between the Post Office and the Left Bank

Increase provision of benches and seating in Bligh Street Support community building events such as community tree planting; Kilkivan character

photography artwork competition; drive-in movies on playing fields; Investigate RV provisions (eg dump point)

Contact Information

For further information on the OUR TOWNS: Sustainable Centres Program - Kilkivan, please contact Council's Planning Strategy and Major Projects Branch on (07) 5481 0644 or alternatively email planningprojects@gympie.qld.gov.au