Emerald Hill Precinct - A new vision and master plan

Emerald Hill Precinct - a new vision and master plan 

Council has adopted the Emerald Hill Vision and an Emerald Hill Master plan.

Click below links to view the master plan.

• Emerald Hill Master Plan (Part 1) 
• Emerald Hill Master Plan (Part 2) 
• Emerald Hill Master Plan (Part 3)
• Council Report 10 April 2012

The vision and master plan will help us reinvigorate this important heritage, civic and cultural precinct surrounding the South Melbourne Town Hall and will once again make the town hall the centre of a vibrant community life, through urban design improvements in and around this building.    

Council adopted the Emerald Hill Vision at a public meeting on 12 September 2011 and the Emerald Hill Master Plan at an Ordinary Meeting of Council on 10 April 2012.

Background

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 provides a framework for the long term future of the precinct. It aims to guide public realm improvements and suggest future uses for key Council assets at Emerald Hill including the South Melbourne Town Hall. The Vision is informed by extensive earlier consultation which occurred as part of the South Melbourne Central Structure Plan and the South Melbourne Shopping Precinct Streetscape Master Plan in 2007.

The Emerald Hill Master Plan

The master plan builds on Council’s vision for Emerald Hill and includes:

• a focus on the heritage of the precinct
• principles for contextual and sensitive design
• significant areas of soft landscaping
• a reduction of car parking, staged to manage car parking demand in the precinct
• more uses to enable community access to more parts of the Town Hall
• integrated public art

Consultation on the Emerald Hill Master Plan

The Master Plan was developed following extensive community consultation including a stakeholder meeting held on the 28 November 2011,  two public information sessions held on 1 December and 6 December 2011 and an online survey.

Outcomes of the consultation

Most submissions either supported the draft Master Plan or offered qualified support with suggested changes which were accommodated by changes made to the Master Plan.  These are discussed in detail in the consultation summary.

The online survey received four responses. The majority of community responses were captured during the stakeholder meeting and information sessions. Two late written submissions were also received on 31 January 2012.

In total, 19 submissions were received: one from South Port Community Housing Group, three from art organisations, six from local business owners and nine from residents.

Some of the concerns that were raised during the consultation on the Vision have been resolved through the preparation of the revised Master Plan. These include:

• the significance of the heritage of the precinct and the appropriateness of contemporary design
• the extent of green/soft landscaping compared to hardstand
• care to be taken in any additions to theSouthMelbourneTown Hall.

 The consultation feedback indicates that there is continuing support for:

• the incorporation of public art
• a vibrant culture and creating increased activity in Emerald Hill’s public space

Some new requests to add to the Master Plan have been received:

• the need to improve accessibility of public spaces and building entrances
• for the inclusion of a public housing history of Emerald Hill precinct

Car parking

The main issue raised during the consultation is the proposed car parking reduction (32 spaces):

• 6 spaces inFishley Street
• 7 spaces inLayfield Street
• 11 spaces inDaly Street
• 8 spaces inBank Streetdrive way

Council has resolved to implement the car parking reduction to improve accessibility around the Town Hall building.

A new open space

On 14 February 2012, Council resolved to purchaseEmerald Hill Placeland to use as open space. This creates an opportunity for local retailers to create another point of address for their businesses and use this as a plaza space. The revised Master Plan has been amended to reflect the purchase of this land and the opportunities that this open space presents.

What will happen next?

Staged delivery of Emerald Hill Master Plan is proposed to be carried out over the next 10 to 15 years subject to usual budget processes. Council will proceed with the short term actions first. The design of the Town Hall forecourt will begin soon.

For more information please contact Elena Kalnin, Place Manager Activity Centres on 9209 6169 or email ekalnin@portphillip.vic.gov.au