Came across this comprehensive document "Altona Beach Activity Centre Urban Design Framework" which details the development potential, proposals and visions, with plenty of maps. If you are a map-buff like me, you'll be interested.
Here's the link for the pdf document:
http://www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Files/Appendix_3_AmendmentC51_Part2.pdf
Extracted from Page 21 of this document:
The unique physical characteristics
• The open space areas, specifically Weaver Reserve, Lee Reserve, Logan Reserve and Cherry Lake.
• Altona Beach, its safety, attractiveness and accessibility and the Pier.
• Altona Homestead.
• The quality and unspoilt nature of the Esplanade and Foreshore, The Norfolk Island Pines and the coastal vegetation.
• The views and vistas over Port Phillip Bay from the Centre.
• The Civic Centre and the community, cultural and recreation facilities.
• Accessibility by road, bike, foot, bus, train and potential ferry.
• Its central location in, and accessibility from, the residential areas of Altona.
• The compactness of the Pier Street Precinct and its diverse range of individually owned businesses.
• The predominance of low scale, low density development.
• Its relative isolation / proximity to Melbourne’s CBD.
Page 30
Those most often identified, and which are considered potentially viable or appropriate given the identified roles of the Precinct are:
• Cafes and restaurants, open all weekend, providing opportunities for “alfresco” dining and offering views and vistas over the foreshore.
• Leisure retailing such as book or music store, antiques, bric-a-brac etc.
• Fresh food (fruit and vegetables, healthy, organic produce, delicatessen, etc).
• Bank.
• Clothing stores.
• More specialist independent stores.
• A Cinema.
• Boutique home wares and household goods stores.
Page 45
The Future Vision Plan indicates in broad terms how the Centre could appear in 10-15 years time when all the streetscape works and physical improvements have been implemented. The plan identifies:
• Physical improvements to the streetscape of Pier Street, the Esplanade, Civic Parade and Fresno Streets.
• Redevelopment of the railway station.
• Enhancement of Logan, Weaver and Lee Reserves.
• Creation of shared car parking locations.
• Improved access and circulation patterns.
• Improved integration of the whole precinct from Altona Beach to Cherry Lake.
• Identification of sites throughout the Centre where opportunity exists for
redevelopment. The location and configuration of the sites shown is indicative only and is not meant to depict, either the only, or the preferred approach to site assembly or development.
Page 25
The future desired and sustainable roles and functions for the Centre are:
• As the “neighbourhood convenience retail centre” for the Altona community, providing a comprehensive range of daily convenience goods, services and facilities.
• As a destination centre for casual and quality eating establishments, specialist “leisure orientated” retailers and tourist facilities serving the local community and the broader regional communities of north and western metropolitan areas.
• As a destination centre for a limited range of household goods and hardware outlets for the Hobsons Bay community.
• As the personal and professional services community, entertainment, social and cultural centre for Altona.
• As a public transport focus and interchange for the local community, commuters and tourists through bus, rail and potentially ferry connections and the provision of long term car parking for public transport users.
• As a focus for high density and diversity of residential development.
• As a beach destination and “tourism service centre” on Port Phillip Bay for
Metropolitan Melbourne, in particular the north and western regions, taking advantage of the Port Phillip Bay Trail, the attractive foreshore, the Esplanade, open space areas and the safe family swimming opportunities.
Here's the link for the pdf document:
http://www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Files/Appendix_3_AmendmentC51_Part2.pdf
Extracted from Page 21 of this document:
The unique physical characteristics
• The open space areas, specifically Weaver Reserve, Lee Reserve, Logan Reserve and Cherry Lake.
• Altona Beach, its safety, attractiveness and accessibility and the Pier.
• Altona Homestead.
• The quality and unspoilt nature of the Esplanade and Foreshore, The Norfolk Island Pines and the coastal vegetation.
• The views and vistas over Port Phillip Bay from the Centre.
• The Civic Centre and the community, cultural and recreation facilities.
• Accessibility by road, bike, foot, bus, train and potential ferry.
• Its central location in, and accessibility from, the residential areas of Altona.
• The compactness of the Pier Street Precinct and its diverse range of individually owned businesses.
• The predominance of low scale, low density development.
• Its relative isolation / proximity to Melbourne’s CBD.
Page 30
Those most often identified, and which are considered potentially viable or appropriate given the identified roles of the Precinct are:
• Cafes and restaurants, open all weekend, providing opportunities for “alfresco” dining and offering views and vistas over the foreshore.
• Leisure retailing such as book or music store, antiques, bric-a-brac etc.
• Fresh food (fruit and vegetables, healthy, organic produce, delicatessen, etc).
• Bank.
• Clothing stores.
• More specialist independent stores.
• A Cinema.
• Boutique home wares and household goods stores.
Page 45
The Future Vision Plan indicates in broad terms how the Centre could appear in 10-15 years time when all the streetscape works and physical improvements have been implemented. The plan identifies:
• Physical improvements to the streetscape of Pier Street, the Esplanade, Civic Parade and Fresno Streets.
• Redevelopment of the railway station.
• Enhancement of Logan, Weaver and Lee Reserves.
• Creation of shared car parking locations.
• Improved access and circulation patterns.
• Improved integration of the whole precinct from Altona Beach to Cherry Lake.
• Identification of sites throughout the Centre where opportunity exists for
redevelopment. The location and configuration of the sites shown is indicative only and is not meant to depict, either the only, or the preferred approach to site assembly or development.
Page 25
The future desired and sustainable roles and functions for the Centre are:
• As the “neighbourhood convenience retail centre” for the Altona community, providing a comprehensive range of daily convenience goods, services and facilities.
• As a destination centre for casual and quality eating establishments, specialist “leisure orientated” retailers and tourist facilities serving the local community and the broader regional communities of north and western metropolitan areas.
• As a destination centre for a limited range of household goods and hardware outlets for the Hobsons Bay community.
• As the personal and professional services community, entertainment, social and cultural centre for Altona.
• As a public transport focus and interchange for the local community, commuters and tourists through bus, rail and potentially ferry connections and the provision of long term car parking for public transport users.
• As a focus for high density and diversity of residential development.
• As a beach destination and “tourism service centre” on Port Phillip Bay for
Metropolitan Melbourne, in particular the north and western regions, taking advantage of the Port Phillip Bay Trail, the attractive foreshore, the Esplanade, open space areas and the safe family swimming opportunities.
