Altona Central Sports Precinct Plan 2011 - Summary May 2011
Hobsons Bay City CouncilSummary –Altona Central Sports Precinct Plan 2011
Summary Report Prepared by ASR Research for Hobsons Bay City Council
SUMMARY OF THE ALTONA CENTRAL SPORTS PRECINCT PLAN 2011
Introduction
The Altona Central Sports Precinct Plan 2011 identifies and addresses the facilities and other infrastructure needed for the future, and will guide the long term development of the Altona Central Sports Precinct to meet the anticipated needs of users and the community to 2030.
It achieves this through:
○ Identifying the current and future role, functions and values of the spaces in the Precinct and identifying the works and actions required to address any issues or deficiencies;
○ Reviewing demand for sport and recreation, population change and local participation trends, and considering future facility and infrastructure needed to meet demand; and
○ Investigating the current and future facility needs of user groups and opportunities to enhance the passive spaces, and general amenity of the Precinct.
The development of the Plan has involved:
○ A review of relevant Council literature;
○ A review of the community profile and population projections;
○ Consideration of relevant leisure and sports participation trends as they relate to the activities and facilities at the Altona Central Sports Precinct;
○ Inspection of all facilities and spaces at the Precinct and assessment by a landscape architect; and,
○ Consultation with tenant clubs and regular user groups of the reserves at the Precinct.
A Project Reference Group comprising residents and representatives of the tenant sporting clubs provided direction throughout the development of the Plan.
The Altona Central Sports Precinct – an overview
The Precinct covers some 141.6ha, comprising JK Grant Reserve, G Nevitt Reserve, Cherry Lake Reserve, HC Kim Reserve, Fell Reserve and Cherry Lake. These reserves include a number of facilities that are itemised in Table 1.
The Altona Central Sports Precinct is a major sport and recreation site in the City of Hobsons Bay. The land in the reserves is managed by Hobsons Bay City Council. Cherry Lake is on Crown Land managed by Melbourne Water. The Council manages the land immediately adjacent to the water on the south side of the lake. Melbourne Water manages the land immediately adjacent to the water on the north side.
Combined, the Precinct provides a great diversity of sporting and recreational activities, housing some eleven sport and recreation tenant user groups. A monthly market, a Hobsons Bay community festival, as well as a number of other recreational groups, community based organisations and social groups use the facilities and spaces in the Precinct. Across these functions, the Precinct acts as a local park servicing residents of the surrounding neighbourhood, as well as a broader district population.
Summary of Issues and Key Features
The following is a summary of the key facility condition issues:
○ The athletics, cricket/football, hockey, soccer and tennis pavilions are outdated, are undersized for current use and generally not fit for purpose.
○ The Youth Hall is in fair condition and is not fully physically accessible.
○ The public toilets at Fresno Street are in poor condition and are scheduled for replacement in 2011.
○ The publicly accessible basketball and tennis courts are in fair condition only.
○ There are significant issues with tree roots impacting on the base and surface of 3 tennis courts at the Altona Tennis Club.
○ The access roads and many of the car parks are in poor condition and require reconstruction / resurfacing.
○ There is some evidence of land subsidence at JK Grant Reserve, mainly at the athletics track and the small sealed car park next to the football / cricket pavilion.
○ Sports floodlighting provided at some sports grounds is at the end of service life, at other grounds is limited and is not fit for purpose.
Further, the following key features of the Precinct site have been identified as having significant relevance to the Plan:
○ The Precinct does not present a profile that is commensurate with its high visibility.
○ Some areas are poorly lit, potentially limiting use at night.
○ Landscaping is sparse in areas, roadways and car parks are poorly defined in some areas, and signage is minimal. Pedestrian connection throughout the Precinct is poor.
○ Some fences are in poor condition.
○ There are some areas which are partly enclosed by heavy vegetation, limiting surveillance.
○ The buildings are isolated and generally appear tired. Other infrastructure such as drinking fountains and picnic tables are dated.
○ There is some scope for expansion / further development at some facilities – other facilities are constrained with no scope for expansion.
○ Cherry Lake Reserve offers a pleasant environment of native vegetation and undulating topography.
○ There are constraints to recreational use of Cherry Lake due to poor water quality.
○ The Precinct has a great capacity for use as an event / tournament / competition finals venue, however it requires improved facilities and presentation to fulfil its potential.
External factors impacting upon demand for development of the Altona Central Sports Precinct
Sport and recreation participation and provision trends
The following sport and recreation participation trends have been identified as having relevance to planning for future provision of facilities at the Altona Central Sports Precinct:
Anticipate increase in participation:
○ Female participation in Australian Rules Football
○ Female participation (junior and senior) in cricket
○ Masters (over 35 year olds) cricket
○ Current growth in boys junior football (soccer) participation which will plateau
○ Female participation (junior and senior) in football (soccer)
○ Masters (over 35 year olds) participation in football (soccer)
○ Some increase in Masters (over 35 year olds) participation in hockey
○ May be some potential for increase in participation in lawn bowls by younger participants
○ Membership growth at the Altona Tennis Club; particularly among the junior level
○ Senior participation in athletics (in the longer term)
○ Recreational running, walking and cycling
○ More activities in dog obedience and training for the Obedience Dog Club
○ Increase in participation overall in informal recreational pursuits and informal sports participation / social sport
○ Personal training / fitness activities
Anticipate decline in participation:
○ Lawn bowls by older participants
○ Potential for decline in Scouts and Girl Guides
○ Potential for decline in the Model Boat Club
○ Potential for decline in the Altona Garden Club
○ Stable membership / potential decline in the St. John Ambulance
A review of the local population profile identified that:
○ It is likely that the demand for junior participation is not fully being met at present. However, should the demographic data be accurate in suggesting a plateau of numbers of children and youth, it is likely that clubs will see junior participation stabilise in the coming years (2011 to 2020).
○ There is a need to consider the provision of infrastructure to cater for adults particularly over 35 years old. Recreational activities will be important to provide for this particular market.
Stakeholders - need and demand for development of the Altona Central Sports Precinct
The key findings arising from meetings and interviews with stakeholders and the review of Council literature identified the following:
○ Traffic management needs improving and safety of pedestrians needs to be addressed.
○ Car parking is congested at peak usage times (Saturday and Sunday mornings in the winter season in particular).
○ The Precinct presents the opportunity for the development of consolidated sports facilities including buildings to service multiple sports through shared use of facilities.
○ A multi use sports field (synthetic) could be developed in association with a redeveloped athletics facility.
○ Sportsgrounds (ovals, soccer pitches) could be upgraded to maximise use in the winter season.
○ Services need upgrading (e.g. there is no gas supply to some buildings, sewerage gets blocked, water supply and irrigation is outdated etc).
○ Many of the clubs use the Cherry Lake circuit path for running exercises. A granitic sand surface (as opposed to concrete) is more ideal for running. It was suggested that fitness equipment could be added along the path circuit.
○ There is a view that more public toilets are needed, particularly at JK Grant Reserve.
○ The establishment of another play area was suggested, particularly in JK Grant Reserve.
○ Cherry Lake is a major feature of the Precinct and has the potential to become a major draw of visitors.
○ The implementation of the draft landscape master plan for Cherry Lake Reserve will address re-orientation of the car park at Millers Road, relocation of the picnic facilities, shelter and the path network, and landscaping.
○ Cherry Lake has important conservation values providing habitats for birds and the Altona Skipper Butterfly.
○ Given the recent drought’s effects on grassed sportsgrounds it is suggested that Council considers providing one or more multi-use synthetic playing fields across the municipality.
○ Council is planning with City West Water and Melbourne Water in 2011 for water harvesting works to Cherry Lake in accordance with its Water Security Plan.
○ It was identified that many of the facilities could provide large areas for water capture and recycling (i.e. synthetic playing surfaces, roof areas).
○ Melbourne Water has plans and funding to develop a wetland at the western entry point to Cherry Lake.
○ Dirt motor bike riders are driven through the Precinct, over sports fields and along the Cherry Lake trail causing destruction and nuisance.
See Table 2 for references to specific facilities.
Vision and principles guiding improvements for the Altona Central Sports Precinct
The Vision and Guiding Principles have evolved from key considerations and are based on the constraints, future needs and opportunities identified through research and analysis and nominated by stakeholders, as well as the implications of participation trends and population characteristics. The key considerations are central in shaping the future development directions for the Altona Central Sports Precinct.
Vision:
Towards 2030, the Altona Central Sports Precinct will continue to support participation in structured and unstructured sport and recreation pursuits across different participation levels. Development, presentation and maintenance of the Precinct will reflect its standing as the premier outdoor sport and recreation facility for the Altona area and broader District, and will support the ongoing development of sport and recreation enabling the tenant groups to achieve their best.
Principles:
Principles guiding the development of the Plan are:
○ Optimise the use of the open space and built facilities through developing multipurpose facilities and considering consolidation of buildings where appropriate, and encouraging shared use;
○ Ensure the quality standard of development reflects the high profile and large catchment of the Precinct;
○ Address presentation and amenity to all parts of the Precinct;
○ Create a strong sense of entry in keeping with the high profile of the Precinct;
○ Address vehicle and pedestrian movement and safety and car parking;
○ Ensure that public surveillance is achieved at all areas of congregation and that safety is addressed throughout;
○ Protect and enhance view lines within and through the Precinct;
○ Enhance environmental sustainability including water management;
○ Increase the range and quality of residents’ experiences;
○ Promote an appropriate balance between active and passive recreation;
○ Promote greater physical and social activity;
○ Cater to the future needs of existing users; and,
○ Improve the physical relationships and linkages between the key facilities in the Precinct.
The Plan 2011 - 2031
The Plan has been prepared based on the development opportunities assessed as appropriate for inclusion that meet the principles that guide the plan.
The major features of the Plan include:
○ A proposed Melbourne Water wetland west of the inlet to Cherry Lake, and potential water harvesting works at the western end of Cherry Lake. Consider constructing a path to connect the Wetlands to the Cherry Lake shared path system.
○ Provide for safe pedestrian access throughout, including to HC Kim Reserve across Millers Road.
○ Seek to increase car parking throughout.
○ Construct a barrier at the north end of Sugargum Drive to restrict access by 4WDs and dirt bikes.
○ Reconfigure the intersection to form a T-intersection to assist in defining traffic movements.
○ Provide timed lighting to the barbeque / picnic area, playspace, Sensory Garden, Cherry Lake reserve and associated paths to enable use by families in the early evenings.
○ Install / improve security lighting at key activity nodes.
○ Provide signage (interpretive (on wildlife, vegetation and history), directional, regulatory, naming (of facilities) and entry) throughout the Precinct where appropriate. Provide distance markers to the existing circuit path to Cherry Lake.
○ Provide appropriate shade (natural and built) throughout.
○ Develop ‘gateways’ / prominent entrances off Millers Road and Civic Parade.
○ Upgrade and enhance appearance and quality of fencing.
○ Consider the future provision of a public toilet block at the end of Sugargum Drive.
○ Construct a shelter over the outdoor stage to service the nearby barbeque facilities as a multipurpose area. Develop a barbeque / picnic area at Fresno Street.
○ Construct a granitic sand running track with distance markers linked to the main Cherry Lake path system. Provide fitness stations along the running track.
○ Construct a second-tier granitic sand circuit jogging paths linked to the existing shared path circuit encircling Cherry Lake, to be negotiated with Melbourne Water.
○ A proposed viewing platform to top of existing levee wall. Link the platform to the Cherry Lake shared path system to be negotiated with Melbourne Water.
○ Potential path connection to the Kororoit Creek Trail, to be planned and developed in partnership with Melbourne Water.
○ Path connection to the Altona Coastal Park and Coast Trail.
○ Consider developing areas around Cherry Lake as bushland / urban forest.
○ Develop a multi-purpose recreation area adjacent to the Millers Road entry, to appropriately service personal trainers and sporting clubs needs for grassed informal training surfaces, as well as general recreational use (e.g. kick-about area).