Masterplan

The CBD Masterplan places the CBD in the context of the Kerang town and surrounds. It illustrates the overall treatment of the CBD zone, as directed in the Brief. It indicates:

·         Precincts within and adjacent to the CBD

·         Major routes and connections through the CBD

·         Overall landscape treatments reflective of the natural environment

·         Placement of major built form

·         Places that have been selected for destination focus

The Masterplan identifies the key features of the CBD:

The main entries

These are locations where traffic enters the CBD and where the profile of the town is evident.

The entries are very significant places for Kerang. They are recognisable from a distance. They are points at which the Kerang brand is strongly evident. They signal a warm welcome to the town. They exemplify the values of sustainability and quality.

CBD precincts

These are zones within the CBD that have a particular characteristic and function.

The township of Kerang is comprised of a mix of business, education, recreation and business uses. A series of precincts is emerging that intensifies these uses in certain areas, creating character and variety for residents and visitors.

The Masterplan recognises these uses and proposes that these precincts be strengthened to enhance experience and invite further public and private investment. The precincts are:

·         Sport and recreation

·         Health and wellbeing

·         Lifestyle

·         Shopping and dining central

These are not based on regulatory principles, rather they are intended to enhance character and assist with the development of an intensity of uses that promotes community and business activity.

The edges of the precincts are intentionally blurred to maintain an integrated flow of uses and experience.

Links and connectors

These are locations for walkways linking precincts and enhancing permeability and pedestrian access.

Walkways connect Victoria Street to the streets on either side, inviting transitions through the town and making it more complex and inviting. Each walkway is an attractive pedestrian thoroughfare with a paved surface that makes it easy for wheeling prams and strollers. Signature shade structures, lighting, and seating near the road, makes them safe places to stop and rest. Signature signage creates intrigue and strengthens their presence as well used pathways. Businesses alongside open up to the paths, creating new opportunities to attract passers-by.

Carparks

These are the major locations for off-street parking.

Parking is critical to the success of a town in the country. Parking zones include on street parking, cycle parking, RV parking, truck and coach parking. In major car parks and on selected streets tree planting provides welcome shade.

RV parking is well signed, scaled and sited to encourage visitors to park and walk or drive into the town centre.

Cyclists are made especially welcome and there are facilities to park bikes in town, at the Murray Valley Highway entry and at the station. Temporary cycle parking may also be allocated at sites where the new social structures are erected.

Walkways from parking zones into shopping areas are well signed and clearly designated using paving materials and planter barriers.

Amenities

These are the locations for toilets and baby-change facilities.

Good quality amenities are considered essential in Kerang. Well placed public toilets with facilities for women and men, access for people with disability and with baby change facilities are amenities that support a visitor-friendly, walkable township.

The location of toilets is enhanced by appropriate signage and lighting, supporting safety.

The Masterplan locates toilets in key access points across the CBD, placing them in relation to gathering spaces, walking journeys across town and car parks.

Catalyst spaces

These are the spaces that lend themselves to introduction of the structural insertions and activation.

Vacant sites throughout the CBD that have no immediate use are populated with site-responsive, mobile structures whose design and materiality is drawn from the surrounding environment and rural agricultural aesthetic. These are tools to promote social gathering and to stimulate interest in more permanent solutions. In the interim these structures provide shade, they can be powered by solar energy, they house a flexible rigging system for lights, screens, banners and sound equipment. They create programmable space, transforming underutilised sites into a variety of settings – party room, dining area, workshop, gallery, marketplace, cinema.

These sites are activated to stimulate a greater range of opportunities for social interactions, for education, to raise environmental awareness, and to improve health and wellbeing. In addition they can be used to support emerging businesses and start-ups by providing exposure to consumers without large outlays.