Elements

The Masterplan has been created by using a set of design elements that together support the development of the Kerang CBD and place the community in a position to realize its ambition.

Structures

A structural element has been designed to be inserted into key spaces in town and to fulfill a variety of purposes. The proposed structure is sculptural, modular and flexible. It is unique to Kerang and its design references the surrounding context – the natural environment, agricultural equipment and the new solar industrial aesthetic. The structure can be inserted throughout the CBD and modified to suit different sites and various functions, It can be adapted to provide a verandah, an event space, a walkway, a meeting space. It can be temporary or permanent. Over time it will create a unique signature that only public infrastructure can provide.

Primary structure

The primary structure is derivative of the legs of the 

Ibis bird, and the bent, distorted form created by the 

Mallee tree. 

Roof
The roof form takes cue from local industry, such as 

the form of the swing arm irrigation units and uniform

 angled solar farm panels. 

Beneath the canopy
The structure provides an opportunity to activate new areas that 

are currently  under utilised and are places for new business or social 

spaces.

Adaptable Use

A structure that can be adapted throughout the CBD for different sites and functions.

Planting

Trees and plants are viewed as more than elements that beautify the town. They function as promoters of activity, they reflect the values of the town and they impact the brand. The enhancement of existing and introduction of new trees and plants create identity for Kerang, giving it a strong connection to its environment and conveying regional character. Selection of these elements further defines CBD precincts and promotes appropriate activity.

In all cases new planting is selected to respect local climatic conditions and the cost of maintaining the quality of the streetscape.

The existing trees are valued for their maturity and provision of shade. New plantings have been selected both to reflect the town’s surrounds and to provide a respite from the dry landscape and introduce a more colourful and greener environment.

Example of planting in an urban setting from Sydney and  Wellington (NZ) is similar aesthetic effect for the new plantings selected to reflect Kerang’s unique identity by referencing the surrounding farming district and native Mallee.

Understorey and edge planting helps screen views, buffer pedestrians from vehicles, reduce the extent of hot reflective hard surfaces and soften and create coherence, colour, texture and interest. A palette of native and agricultural species is chosen to provide distinct form and structure.

Non-native species, such as roses, have been retained where they are much loved and create a splash of colour.  These plantings have been increased and enhanced with other species chosen to for their ability offer a richer green respite and a change from the aesthetic of pasture and bush.

Atkinson Park Extension: Strengthening the connection between the Park and CBD new tree planting extends the context of the Park to the north of the Murray Valley Highway creating the effect of driving through the Park to the CBD, rather than skirting the edge.  The planting intensifies at the sweeping bend where the highway is closest to the CBD This                 increased planting will be a natural inducement to vehicles to slow down when approaching from either direction.

     

Fitzroy Street: (between Wellington and Scoresby Streets). New trees are accommodated within the existing conditions, thereby maintaining vehicle accesses and the existing angled parking arrangement. The trees ‘fill’ the street encouraging on-street parking and reducing the use of the unmanaged private allotment to the rear of the Target store enabling it to                be a future opportunity for commercial development.

Wellington Street: (between Victoria and Boundary Streets). The streetscape planting provides a natural entry gateway to the CBD from the east (from Koondrook and surrounding region).  It also functions similarly in conjunction with new tree planting around the town’s intersection with the Murray Valley Highway. These planted ‘book-ends’ define the                commercial zone of Wellington Street between Nolan and Victoria Streets.

Memorial: whilst originally the memorial was erected on the bitumen road surface, subsequent planting around its base has ‘softened’ the memorial’s appearance and ties the memorial to the surrounding footpaths that similarly have low flowering plants in street-edge planter beds. Increasing the rose planting to the base of the memorial further enhances its                symbolism, its contemporary importance and its link to garden related community events.

Recommended Species;

Low cover

Mid storey/tufted

Trees

 Street Furniture

Street furniture includes the range of seats, planters, bins, kiosks, cycle parking fixtures and other objects that enhance the safety, functionality and visual appearance of the public realm.

Well-designed street furniture contributes to the creation of places within in the cbd that have a distinctive look and provides a level of comfort encouraging longer dwell times and increasing positive social interactions.

Street furniture is coordinated, timeless, functional, robust and appropriate for all users.

Street furniture precedents

Lighting   

Good lighting fulfils many roles in the townscape. As well as being a requirement from a safety perspective and vital to maintaining a vibrant evening economy it plays a part in the quality of experience offered. It is also recognised as a significant proportion of the energy usage of the town and therefore must be viewed within the context of the Shire’s sustainability policies and plans. The Masterplan assumes that issues such as improved lamp technology and conversion of existing lighting to more efficient solutions is the subject of a specialist strategy.

The proposed lighting elements are developed to:

·         Improve the perception of safety when visiting after dark

·         Improve way finding at night

·         Contribute to an evening economy

·         Create a sense of place

The lighting types

The Masterplan defines three basic functional lighting types:

Ambient Lighting: this provides necessary illumination to achieve a safe environment

Accent Lighting: this lighting adds character and interest, enhancing the built environment and landscape

Task Lighting: this describes lighting that is installed for a particular purpose eg an event

Entries
The town entry points are symbolic gateways and streets from these points must be well lit with ambient light, in particular the railway entry as many of the people arriving at this point will walk into the CBD.

               Wayfinding signage at CBD entry points will be addressed with task lighting, most importantly from the                                                Koondrook direction. The major sculptural Kerang sign at the Murray highway entry serves all three functions.

The murray valley highway crossing

Additional ambient lighting is suggested to draw the attention of drivers to the crossing function and improve safety at the crossing point for pedestrians

Amenities

Lighting must be placed at public facilities to ensure that these sites are well lit at night.

Victoria street and square

Good lighting will enhance the primary civic space and the main shopping street. There are a number of opportunities suggested for this space:

•               Lighting of major sculpture and memorial at either end of the CBD strip to signal the town centre at night

•               Accent lighting of heritage buildings

•               Temporary task lighting that can be utilised at major events or celebrations e.g. Christmas, night markets etc

Temporary Event Spaces

These are major spaces that have the potential to invigorate the evening economy. It is proposed that light fittings be attached to the new infill structures as a matter of priority. These can function as ambient task and/or accent lights. In the                case of event spaces the lighting might also include light projections that both activate the space, act as artworks and                 enhance its safety.

Sculpture

Sculpture is proposed as an element that creates identity and acts as a place maker differentiating Kerang from other towns. 

Large-scale markers

These elements are located at significant points in the town that mark an entry. The existing memorial clock tower currently serves a purpose as a visible marker from either end of Wellington Street and at the entry to Victoria Street. 3 new major markers are proposed (note: these are suggestions developed to illustrate the nature of the solution, rather than fully conceived designs):

·         The Kerang Sign. This is a piece of large-scale sculpture that, because of its content, acts as a sign, and because of its materiality, acts as a beacon. The sign proposed in this Masterplan provides a guideline for the final design. This sign is the name of the town, lit at night, written in the handwriting of Sir John Gorton, a prominent figure with a close association with Kerang and, now with its arts and recreation precinct. It is meant to be a ‘game changer’, to be prominent and remarkable. It puts Kerang on the map, literally and figuratively no-one will wonder where they are, everyone will remember passing it and many will be motivated to stop and understand more about a town that is proud to ‘shout’ its name so loudly.

This sign could also act as a means of promoting the town further afield. For example it could be activated through the development of an online campaign that allows the public to get involved in ‘turning the sign on’. It, and other narrative elements associated with the town, can also appear on billboards, bags and other take-away mementoes.

·        The Kinetic Tree. This is the book-end to the memorial at the end of the CBD section of Victoria Street. It is also remarkable and like the memorial and the entry sign, speaks to the history and nature of the place. This is about sky, wind and sun and the climate that drives much of the town’s industry, now and into the future. Unlike the memorial it moves in the wind, it reflects the sun and the planting below, it is dynamic and contemporary.

·        The Light Box. This is located at the Railway Station. It is a muted and attractive column during the day. At night it is illuminated as a major feature, increasing the sense of safety in the precinct for after-hours users.

Small-scale narrative pieces

These elements are located throughout the town and guide a walking tour for visitors. Sculptural vignettes are designed to reflect various aspects of the culture, history and natural history of the town. Some are very small, and provide an element of surprise when they are seen. Some are more prominent. All have an associated narrative, a story that can be explored using a digital device or a brochure, or may merely provoke curiosity and imagination. These create interest and understanding. They add to the character of the town, they can be used in education programs and can stimulate other art forms.

Hobart Waterfont                                                                                              St Kilda Esplanade                                   Hawthorn Football Club

Gannawarra Shire artist John Piccoli - known as “The Spanner Man” - began making small garden sculptures thirty years ago from wrenches he had collected and now creates large statues and garden art pieces with many pieces in galleries around Australia.  Examples shown are consistent with the small-scale narrative pieces proposed for Kerang.

Signage 

Way finding and interpretive signage elements significantly add to the sense of place, and assist in the creation of trails, links and notations which make a space a place.

Working with the large-scale markers, way finding signage is positioned along key pedestrian links and trails. These are obvious connectors, encouraging pedestrian and cycle use and moving people through the town at a fine-grain level.

Within the CBD, map based information signage indicating shopping, toilets and key community places works with more flexible print and online information to support a multi-platform approach to understanding Kerang.

Signage and wayfinding precedents

Toilets

Toilets and baby-change facilities are important amenities that support public health, community events and tourism. As such these are key elements in CBD planning.

Location, access and quality are the critical issues to ensure that future Kerang is well served. Some existing facilities are well located and can be upgraded and access improved to bring them up to an appropriate standard and to better serve the community.

Toilets have been retained and improved at key sites. Access has been increased, particularly within the CBD, taking account of after hours activity.

1                     Public Toilets at Scoresby Street - Not warranted given travel distances cover the Masterplan area within a 5 minute      walk.

2                     Public Toilets at rear of Patchell Plaza, proposed to be upgraded to provide external access.

3                     Public Toilets adjacent to Kerang Memorial Hall - recently upgraded.

4                     Public Toilets to Train Station, proposed to be upgraded as part of Train Station Revitalisation.

5                     Public Toilets of poor quality behind Court House. Recommended for decommissioning, which would also support      security between Police Station and Court building.