The Kerang Gateway is the major arrival point for the town centre and
the turning point into the CBD. It has been selected as a significant place to
introduce the new creative identity of Kerang.
Design
Features:
·
A grand avenue of densely planted Eucalypts lining the Murray Valley
highway in both directions
·
A raised sculptural landform accentuating the corner, detracting
attention from the supermarket and providing a visual break from the flat plain
of the highway
·
A major sculptural marker, highly visible during the day and at night,
which is both remarkable and unique
·
A crossing point from Atkinson Park, improving safety and linking the
recreation zones of park and pool
·
A tree lined walkway joining Wellington Street creating a safe and
attractive pedestrian link to the CBD and the Memorial Hall
·
The redeveloped toilet block with screen planting
·
Information signage
·
RV parking adjacent to the entry
Experience
The entry from the Murray Valley Highway
Signage from some distance back, repeated at intervals, invites visitors to stop and rest in town, for coffee or dining. As vehicles get closer the impression is that of entering a much greener park-like zone. The agricultural landscape changes to a treed zone that has a more urban quality yet references its regional location. The sign for Kerang stands out at the town entry. It signals a place that is bold, dynamic and expressive. A combination of sculptural landform, built form and signage encourages a further slowing.
Visitors feel compelled to stop. Approaching the curve in the road it is evident that there is a pleasant area to park and a shady walk into town. Rounding the bend towards Swan Hill traffic slows to ensure that families crossing between park and town are safe.
The Marker
An illuminated ‘handwritten’
sign supported on a new structure incorporated into the sculpted landform. Using the
handwriting of Sir John Gorton the sign is bold, dynamic and expressive. It reflects the creativity of the town and
pride in its history.
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 Crossing
Road
markings, including a pedestrian crossing will slow traffic and add to the
safety of people crossing on foot between Atkinson’s Park and the edge of the
town centre. An extended pedestrian
refuge island in the centre of the main highway, Extending this for a
considerable length will assist in the creation of a ‘slow’ zone for traffic,
resulting in a safer crossing point.
Proposed Palette and Detail
