Have your say on streetscape plan for Castlemaine

Mount Alexander Shire Council is encouraging community members to provide feedback on a streetscape plan and design standards for Castlemaine.

The high level plan aims to create a more attractive and functional town centre while working with and preserving the historical features of the picturesque 19th century town.

The streetscape plan and design standards will guide Council and the community in the management, maintenance and improvement of the town’s public realm.

It provides a strategic approach to improving safety, access and connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists, more street trees and landscaping, strategically located street furniture, strengthening street character and improving public spaces.

A streetscape framework helps define the types of streets and identify where improvements can be made in town centre streets, boulevards, neighbourhood streets, and thoroughfare streets like Frederick Street and Mechanics Lane.

The design standards provide details for elements such as street furniture, lighting, plantings, paving materials, crossovers and bins, and are guided by fixtures that have long been part of the Castlemaine streetscape like a cast iron lamp post and bench seats.

“The streets in the town centre are the beating heart of Castlemaine,” said Phil Josipovic, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mount Alexander Shire Council.

“They are where people go about their daily routines, do their shopping, grab something to eat or discover what Castlemaine has to offer.

“With some careful design interventions, we can make a big impact on improving the public realm of Castlemaine for residents, visitors and businesses,” said Mr Josipovic.

“The recommendations in the plan are shaped by what people love about Castlemaine and its defining features such as wide streets and historic shopfront verandahs, deep stone channels and magnificent street trees.

“They will also address detractors like old street furniture and cross overs, narrow footpaths, poorly designed pedestrian routes, gaps in tree canopy and the dominance of central car parking on streetscape views.”

The plan and design standards were developed and have been revised based on community feedback and input from a Community Reference Group. They were also revised to improve accessibility for people of all ages and abilities, based on an independent access review.

“We heard a clear message about the need to improve traffic flows and access around the town to enable more walking and cycling, plant more trees for shade and install more bike infrastructure and public art,” said Mr Josipovic.

“We also heard concerns about the potential loss of parking spaces, and have revised the plans to minimise this impact and limit changes in traffic flows,” he said.

The draft plan and designs are on public display at the historic Market Building on Mostyn Street in Castlemaine until Sunday 8 December.

They are also are available along with a feedback form at www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/HaveYourSay. Post your feedback titled Castlemaine Streetscape Designs to Council or email to info@mountalexander.vic.gov.au by 5.00pm on Sunday 8 December.

For more information or to discuss your feedback on the designs contact Stewart Campbell, Coordinator Parks and Gardens, on 5471 1700 or visit Council’s website.

The Castlemaine Streetscape Plan and Design Standards aim to create a more attractive and functional town centre while preserving the historical features of the 19th century town.

The high level plan provides the strategic direction approach to improving pedestrian connections, safety and access, street tree planting and public spaces around the town.

The design standards provide details for streetscape elements such as plantings, street furniture, paving materials, crossovers and bins.

There are some short recommendations that can be implemented straight away, and some more expensive projects that can be planned and budgeted over time.

Guiding principles

The plan was developed based on the following principles:

• Reference the history of Castlemaine
• Green Castlemaine
• Improve pedestrian and bicycle connectivity
• Apply universal design principles
• Expand the public realm
• Keep it quirky
• Have fun with temporary streetscape elements

The recommendations focus on five main areas:
• Heritage management – restoring kerbs, stone channels
• Pedestrian connectivity and safety – improve key crossing areas and pedestrian flow throughs
• Landscape – protecting street trees and providing more shade
• Street furniture – upgrading streetscape furnishings
• Placemaking and orientation – identify locations suitable for improvements to public spaces

Streetscape framework

A framework define the types of streets to help identify where improvements can be made.
• Town Centre Streets – support pedestrians and retail activity.
• Boulevard Streets – Create two grand boulevards with good pedestrian access
• Neighbourhood Streets – Maintain the country town character in residential streets
• Frederick Street and Mechanics Lane – Create a shared thoroughfare that prioritises pedestrian and bike movements, and provides a temporary space for events

Frederick Street and Mechanics Street
Create a shared street on Frederick and Mechanics Lane that allows access for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists along the thoroughfare, with the potential to temporarily close the street for community events.

In response to Councillor and community feedback, the direction of vehicle travel on Frederick remains unchanged, although it would become “left turn only” into Lyttleton Street.

Mostyn Street Plaza
Create a shared plaza on Mostyn Street to slow traffic, allow access for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists and create a special feature in the town centre with street trees and historic lighting to highlight the historic Market Building.

Street trees
Develop a high level approach to maintain good street coverage, protect mature trees and fill gaps in the canopy to provide more shade and reduce emphasis on parking to enhance the streetscape.

Walking and cycling
Increase walking and cycling in the town centre by creating pedestrian thoroughfares, and relocating cycling routes in wider, quieter streets to provide safer passage through town.