FAQs

Q. 1. Where is the toilet block planned to be located?

The toilet is to be located in the original position as shown in the masterplan – see http://haveyoursayatportphillip.net.au/document/show/153

The detail of the toilet has not yet been designed. The design brief will be for a toilet that is low key with minimal impact on residential views of the bay and foreshore areas.

Q. 2 Are there still to be sports lights?

There are no sports lights to be provided. Sports lighting was removed following consultation on the draft Masterplan. The final Masterplan does not show sports lights.

The 8 March 2011 Coastal Management Act 1995 (CMA) consent specifies at dot point no. 5 "Lighting location and design must be kept to the minimum necessary for safety and security and must not include 'sports level' lighting." See - http://haveyoursayatportphillip.net.au/document/show/205

Q. 3. Is there still planned a traffic light crossing on Marine Parade near the corner of Blessington Street?

There is no planned pedestrian operated traffic light crossing on Marine Parade near the corner of Blessington Street. The pedestrian crossing was removed following consultation on the draft Masterplan. The final Masterplan does not show any crossing.

Q. 4. Is a planning permit required to implement the Marina Reserve Masterplan?

As consent is provided under the Coastal Management Act 1995, the only component of the masterplan that requires a planning permit is the planting of vegetation under the DDO (Design and Development Overlay, Schedule 10).

Q. Why wasn’t a skate bowl shown in the draft masterplan?

The draft masterplan was developed from the consultation process that ran from February to May 2010 and has taken account of all the constraints and opportunities of the site, the range of community feedback to date, the site’s location on the foreshore and the need to take account of state government policy on the use of foreshore land.

The issue about the form of the skateable infrastructure was been one of several controversial issues.

The Council has been clear from the start of developing the Marina Reserve Masterplan that the skateable infrastructure would be part of a shared area that provides a good space for skaters of all ages and all abilities. In its resolution of 18 December 2008 Council resolved to “provide a local skate park for use by all ages and skill levels”. 

In this manner the consultant for the Marina Reserve Masterplan, Convic, designed the space on the Geelong foreshore area for a range of skaters and other users. See http://www.aila.org.au/victoria/awards2009/GeelongYAA.htm  

The consultation process also led to recognition that designing a stand alone skate park that does not allow for multi-users would not meet the test of being a coastal dependant use and would therefore not be consistent with the Victorian Coastal Strategy and not likely to be given Coastal Management Act consent, which is required for the project to proceed.

The consultant in the draft masterplan report addressed this issue in the report at Section 5.10 and commented on the wide cross section of views about what form of skateable infrastructure should be provided, including whether a competition standard bowl should be provided. The form of skateable infrastructure is limited by the footprint (i.e. how much of the site can be dedicated to skating infrastructure), the sight lines (to make sure that any new infrastructure does not sit too high on the site) and the geo- technical conditions (as the site will probably not support deep excavations as it is a fill site and has a high water table).

Whether or not a skate bowl should be included in the skateable infrastructure was an issue that the Council was keen to hear community feedback on before it made its decision on the final masterplan.

As a result of the feedback, the Council decided that the skate space should inlcude a shallow skate bowl and supporting transition areas to cater for beginners, intermediate and some advanced users.

Q. 1. What was the purpose of the community workshops and who could attend?

The community workshops provided an opportunity to hear back from the design consultants about their analysis of the site and understanding of local issues.  

The first workshop was on their preliminary site analysis and the second workshop was on the preliminary design.

Everyone with an interest was welcome to attend.  Summary documents from both workshops have been posted on this website.  

Q. 2. How were the community workshops run?

Attendees were seated at round tables (of between 8 – 10 people).  There was a lead facilitator, presentations, and discussion.  Each table had a  facilitator to assist discussion, record feedback, and host the space for different issues and opinions to be heard and explored.  There were presentations by the design consultants and opportunities to ask questions. 

Light refreshments were served. 

Q. 1. When was Marina Reserve selected as the site for skating?

Council selected Marina Reserve as the preferred site for the St Kilda Skate Park  on 22 June 2009 following a thorough process over 5 months, advice from both an Independent Assessor (professional recreation planning consultant Simon Leisure Consulting) and a community reference group that comprised 8 community members and 2 councillors, a community  meeting with 30 local residents and a council meeting that heard over 20 submitters argue the case for and against Marina Reserve as the preferred site for a skate park.

For background information click here

Q. 2. Why was Marina Reserve chosen as a site suitable for skating?

Marina Reserve was chosen as a site that was suitable for the inclusion of some skating infrastructure because of its location as part of the St Kilda foreshore activity hub; it’s relatively central location within St Kilda; its size, scale and flat topography; its foreshore location which provides an exciting opportunity to capitalise on the backdrop of Port Phillip Bay; its  good exposure and surveillance  that will enhance its safety and attractiveness for all users; the site does not appear to be well used as a community space so provision of  skating infrastructure is  likely to significantly increase the community use and enjoyment of this space and  the  site is easy to access via public transport or a car.

Q. 3. What is Council's vision for the site?

Council’s vision is to extend the improvements already achieved in the upgrade of the foreshore promenade. While the Reserve has been selected as the location for skating in St Kilda, it will not be a stand-alone skate park, but rather, an integrated multi-purpose space to cater for all members of our community - including walkers, joggers, cyclists and skaters. 

Q. 4. Why is Council supportive of skating facilities?

Council is supportive of skating facilities for a number of reasons:

- Children are now 3.5 times more likely to be in front of a computer screen or television after school than playing sport, children are getting fatter, less active and more socially isolated. (VicHealth Fact Sheet Children and Play 2006)

- Skating is creative, invigorating and physical - it's good for young people's health and wellbeing.

- Skating doesn't cost much compared to other sports - it's an accessible sport that's easy for young people to get involved in.

- For many young people, ABS data indicates that if a skate facility is available 30% of 5-9 year olds, 45% of 10-14 years olds and 15% of 15 - 19 year olds will participate in skateboarding. In the City of Port Phillip this has the potential to equate to 2,239 young people.

Q. 5. What was the planning and consultation process?

Community consultation with local residents, people who use the foreshore for a variety of activities, skaters, marina users, state government instrumentalities and other interested parties was held to explore opportunities and establish the key fundamentals of the draft Masterplan. 

Community consultation and engagement has happened through the following methods:  

Online consultation portal - haveyoursayatportphillip.net.au
The portal provides access to a discussion forum, survey results, frequently asked questions, photos, key documents, presentations from community workshops on preliminary site analysis (23 March  2010) and preliminary design (19 May 2010) and more.   

The draft Masterplan was presented to Council on 28 June 2010.  Council conducted  the formal consultation on the draft Masterplan and considered a further report on the masterplan and issues raised at its meeting of the 13 September 2010. It agreed to revise the masterplan and allow a further period of community review. Council considered the  futher comments and adopted a final version of the masterplan at its meeting of the 11 October. All feedback was considered by Council prior to the final version being agreed. Council then sought coastal consent under the Coastal Management Act 1995(CMA)  from the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE).

The DSE provided Coastal Management Act 1995 (CMA) consent  on 8 March 2011 (that approved the October 2010 Masterplan with a number of conditions. Following Council's request for a review of conditions, the Minister for Environment and Climate Change on 17 June 2011 approved an amendment to the 8 March 2011 CMA consent that approves the October 2010 Masterplan with some additional features.  

Q. 6. Who is doing the design proposal?

Convic Design
Council conducted a public tender for the appointment of the designers for the revised Marina Reserve Masterplan and awarded the Contract number 1372 in stages to Convic Design. The initial works were limited to Stage 1 (Concept Masterplan Design), with subsequent stages approved when Council decides to proceed with the next stages. A public tender for design services was advertised on 3 October 2009 and tenders closed on 30 October 2009. A copy of the specification is available on our website. Convic Design is a specialist landscaping and skate park designer that has delivered award-winning foreshore projects in Australia and overseas. Such projects include Geelong Foreshore Youth Activity Area (VIC) ( See http://www.aila.org.au/victoria/awards2009/GeelongYAA.htm ), Cairns Foreshore Skate Plaza (QLD) and Swansea Foreshore Skatepark (NSW). For more information on Convic Design, please visit: http://www.convic.com/

Q. 7. What is the role of the Dept of Sustainability and Environment?

The Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment assess all applications for proposed use or future development on coastal crown land.  Their role is to decide whether a use or development is appropriate for the foreshore.

Q. 8. Is Marina Reserve a dog off-leash area?

Yes, Marina Reserve is designated as a dog off leash park in the Dogs Off Leash Map 2010.  Connect to the following link to access this map -http://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/default/Dog_Off_Leash_Map_2010.pdf

Q. 9. What is the current and the long term plan for the Marina Reserve drain ?

The beach end of the stormwater drain at Marina Reserve is cleared daily by Council to maintain its current capacity to minimise flooding in the area. An additional junction pit is being constructed within Marina Reserve to assist with the ongoing maintenance of the drain.

In 2010/2011 the City of Port Phillip Council commenced a detailed review of the municipality’s drainage system in response to predictions of sea level rise. The findings from this review will aid in developing a long term solution for the Marina Reserve drainage system. Potential options may include construction of a dedicated drainage pump or extending the drain further into the bay.

This issue will be taken into account in the design of the Marina Reserve Masterplan so any future drainage works can proceed without requiring major re-works to the reserve.

Q. 10. How large is the Marina Reserve Masterplan study area including car parking, paths and existing park?

The total masterplan study area is just under  2 hectares (18,350 m2)

Q. 11. How large is the existing car parking area?

The existing car parking area is approximately 3,600 m2

Q. What information is collected at the Melbourne Water Weather Station?

You can view the information collected at the Melbourne Water Weather Station at Marina Reserve at http://www.melbournewater.com.au/content/rivers_and_creeks/rainfall_and_river_level_data/station_history.asp?StationID=280#Last12Months

Information is collected on rainfall, atmospheric pressure, temperature, wind speed and wind direction.