The document provides background information for the first meeting of the joint reference committee for Gasworks Arts Park and Lagoon Reserve. It discusses the purpose of developing park plans to address current issues and ensure the parks adapt to changing community needs. Key points covered include the role of the reference committee in providing input, conducting community consultation, and developing strategic visions and management plans for the parks. Issues like soil contamination and infrastructure are also addressed. The next joint committee meeting is scheduled.

1. 21/11/2012
Planning for Gasworks Arts
Park and Lagoon Reserve
Joint Reference Committee
Meeting No. 1

2. Introductions
Welcome
Purpose
Terms of
Reference

3. The reference committees
We are developing park plans to address current issues and ensure that the parks adapt to the
changing needs of the community into the future.
• Purpose of the reference committees (as part of a suite of consultation activities) is to provide
a mechanism for key stakeholders in the community, councillors and council staff to work
together to develop strategic plans that reflect the vision, values and ideas of the community.
• The job of the committee is to consider all of the issues, provide their ideas and suggestions
and give feedback.
• Ultimately it is Council’s job to consider the input from the reference committee and the wider
community and make the final decision about future directions for the parks.
• Terms of reference (copy of terms in folders). Talk about agreed behaviours of:
• active listening and being prepared to consider others ideas
• avoid conflict of interests
• act with integrity
• committing to making every effort to attend meetings.
• Committee members to agree to conduct of behaviour (show of hands)

4. What are we here for?
To guide the development of park plans for
Gasworks Arts Park and Lagoon Reserve that
set the vision, principles and ideas for future
implementation in the parks as funding
becomes available.

5. Background and context
Saltwater Lagoon from
Sugar Works 1873
The Saltwater Lagoon in the
middle distance with Rouse
Street footbridge on the right,
Graham Street Road Bridge on
the left and the Kent Hotel in
Esplanade West .
City of Port Phillip Heritage
Database
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6. Background and context
The township of Sandridge
Plan of the township showing
residential areas, Hobson's Bay and
Lagoon. Lithograph. 1860
City of Port Phillip Heritage Database
This map shows the extent of the Lagoon. It was filled
over time as Port Melbourne developed into an industrial
and transport hub in the early 1900’s. The Lagoon was
filled from the 1890’s and completely filled by 1929.
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7. Background and context
Lagoon, looking north-
east from corner of
Esplanade West and
Rouse Streets,
showing several fishing
boats on the beach
1872-1890.
Left to right in the background: Graham Street crossing, South Melbourne Town Hall, the first gasometer
on the north-west corner of Graham and Pickles Streets, and the Gasworks under construction on the
South Melbourne side of Pickles Street. The Gasworks were operating in late 1872.
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City of Port Phillip Heritage Database

8. Background and context
Aerial view of Port
Melbourne town and bay,
C 1928 which stretches
towards South Melbourne
from Beach street and
along Beaconsfield Parade.
Landmark views include the
Gasworks; Albert Park
Lake; Harper's Starch
Factory; the pumping
station on the lagoon;
Morley's coal depot on the
corner of Bay Street with
the Pier Hotel standing
opposite.
City of Port Phillip Heritage
Database
Page 2

9. Background and context
Aerial view of Port Melbourne 1931
Cable trams are visible in Bay Street. The Gasworks, Harper's building and the area where the
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Lagoon was filled in are shown. The South Melbourne gas plant was formed in 1872, supplying
gas in 1873 and was the largest employer in the area. Coal was hauled from the pier at the end
of Bay street by horse drawn tram. It closed in 1955/1957 with all operations ceasing in 1971.
City of Port Phillip Heritage Database

10. Background and context
Aerial view of the Gasworks demolition
site, 1975 which is bounded by Pickles
Street (right of picture), Richardson
Street (foreground), Graham Street and
Foote Street (left of picture.) Views
include the former Albert Park
Secondary College; the two large gas
holders on Pickles Street; and the old
United Distillers Building, which can be
seen in the distant background to the
right of the photo.
Just behind the Gasworks site can be
seen the old Gasworks Meter Shop and
the gasworks supervisor's residence
which was overshadowed by a huge
gumtrees. Once gas was no longer
produced from coal, the Gasworks
complex became redundant and
earmarked for parkland by Council.
City of Port Phillip Heritage Database
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11. Background and context
Gasworks Site
Concept Plan 1985
Designer: Kent W.
Smith

12. Background and context
How far can you walk?
Walking Time/Distance
speed
10 20 30
minutes minutes minutes
Slow 0.6km 1.2km 1.8km
Medium 0.9km 1.8km 2.7km
Fast 1.1km 2.2km 3.3km
Did you know?
•30 minutes a day is recommended of
physical activity for adults.
•10% of trips made in urban areas are less
than 1km while 30% are less than 3
kilometres, ideal distances for walking or
cycling.
Source: Qld Government Travel Smart
• Current context: What open space is in the area?
•145 linear metres from each other along Liardet/Richardson Street
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• Separated by major road (Pickles Street)
• 430 linear metres from the beach
• Gasworks Arts Park: 530 linear metres from St Vincents Gardens and 1.6km from Albert Park Lake
• Lagoon Reserve: Edwards Park across Liardet Street and 630 linear metres from light rail reserves

13. Background and context
Increasing
Reduced private population
open space/vertical
suburbs
Why we need
Demographics
a park plan
Climate
Soil
change
types
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14. Communities
More senior people

15. Vertical suburbs

16. Climate Change

17. Background and context
Soil

18. Background and context
Gasworks
•The chemical condition of the site has not previously
been known.
• Ongoing EPA Environmental Audit is being
undertaken for the site.
•The audit is to determine the extent and degree of
contamination of the park and the most appropriate
measures for management for continued use as a
park.
• Environmental assessments for the audit have Lagoon
reported contamination within the soil of Gasworks
• Recent testing reported contamination within
Park. An Interim Contamination Management Plan
soil of Lagoon Reserve.
(ICMP) is in place for Gasworks Park to manage the
soil contamination risks. • A soil management plan has been prepared for
the reserve.
• Soil contamination is not considered to pose an
unacceptable risk to park users and occupiers provided • Soil contamination of Lagoon Reserve is not
management measures of the ICMP are implemented. considered to be and unacceptable risk to the
reserve users in its current condition.
• Future management measures may include capping.
• If the sports surface requires improvement to
•The development of a park plan is an opportunity to
create a more level surface, the condition of the
implement any of the measures determined to be
soil may need to be taken into account.
required by the audit, costs and time frames

19. Park planning
• Funding in 2012/2013 Council budget to
develop a park plan for Gasworks Arts
Park and Lagoon Reserve
• Park plans are a long term plan giving
commprehensive guidance to achieve
environmental, social-behavioural,
management or aesthetic outcomes.
• Recent examples of inner urban park
plans include Murphy Reserve, St Kilda
Botanical Gardens, Royal Park, Fitzroy
Gardens.
• A park plan will be developed for
Gasworks Arts Park and Lagoon Reserve
to specifically address the unique history,
characteristics, functions, services and
users of the parks.
• Due to the parks close proximity,
consultation activities will occur at the
same time and the first reference group is
combined to ensure we consider the
relationship between the two parks right Page 2
from the start.

20. Planning phases
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21. Park Plan scope of works
• Desk top audit. Historical use
• Tree assessment. Condition, Age, species
• Water assessment
• Soil assessment
• Community consultation – reference group, story board, community meetings, survey, letter drop
• Develop strategic vision and management principles
• Develop a concept plan and obtain feedback from the community and reference committee
• Refine concept plan and develop cost estimates
• Develop an implementation plan / priority of works
• Adoption of Park Plans by Council
• Apply for Council funding for detailed design and capital works
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22. Community consultation
• Community meetings x 4
• Online survey
• Park survey
• Door to door survey
• Planning Phases
The first stage of community consultation will focus on
developing the community’s vision, values and ideas for the
ongoing management and future upgrades for each park.
This will inform the draft Park Plan for each park.
In the second stage of consultation, the community will be
invited to provide feedback of the draft Park Plans.
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23. Community consultation
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24. Community consultation
Lagoon Reserve - Top 5
1. Keep as is including: 5. Vegetation
•Keep diversity of use •plant more trees
•low level recreation •more vegetation, native preferred
•school using the ground – people like the youth activity
•park has community feel, relaxed, informal, refreshing, social Other suggestions:
gathering •Lighting
•5-6:30pm is the busiest time in the park at entrance to the park
•All ok, I love it! •sports lighting improvements
•current pedestrian lights are not bright enough on
2. Dogs till 8pm
•provide dog bags and bin for them (some community members leave •The existing set up the soccer club can only use
a collection of bags at one of the entrances) area with lights so this part of the ground
•keep off leash area deteriorates
•this parks has less dominant small dogs compared to Gasworks •Fencing to the reserve, suggested that a mesh
•dogs socialise here fence rather than pole and rail to keep dogs in have
•checking / policing of dog owners picking up after dogs some dog free zones
•Toilet block - upgrade or other pull down and build
3. Facilities / Amenities slight improvements clubhouse - have water tanks next to them - fix
•some more seats in shade / edges of park
•picnic tables (not metal) lights on them
•bbq’s maybe at other end of park as well •Exercise Equipment - provide equipment around
•more drinking fountains with dog bowl park edges
•More bins with signs – pick up dog poo •Community notice board
where the dog owners gather to inform people of
events
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4. Entrances to reserve
•improve paths at these points •Shelter for rain / shade - location suggested near
•lighting for the entrances the cricket nets
•Formalise entrances as some are dirt paths

25. Community consultation
Gasworks Arts Park - Top 5
4. Drainage on grassed area and paths
1. Keep the park as it is in regards to:
•grassed area becomes boggy after rain events,
•use and structure particularly in winter
•diversity of use- dog of leash area (known as ‘big dog’ park), events, •fill pot holes in path
arts precinct, sculptures, the farmers market
•improve paths at these points
•structure – keep country feel, vegetation, open grassed area
5. Fencing along Richardson street
2. Conflict between dogs and the playground and dogs and the •Fencing for dog walkers
barbeque area
•possible fence around the play space, upgrade of playground Other suggestions:
•moving of playground and barbeque area to another location
•maintenance- increase maintenance of garden
beds
• information signage- about gasworks and the
3. Upgrade of general amenities
different buildings around the reserve
•lighting • more vegetation- some deciduous trees and
•seating- there is plenty of seating but the locations could be better seasonal colour
•proper dog bowl on drinking fountain • purchase adjacent land, gas company owned
and nursing home- open up as the reserve
• dog bags

26. Other relevant
strategies/policies
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To view Council policies, go to:
http://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/policies_schemes.htm

27. Group Activity
What is your vision?
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28. Issues and opportunities
Mapping workshop

29. How would you renovate Lagoon Reserve and Gasworks Arts Park?
(Lisa Smith, Minds at Work)

30. Timeline
Description Start Date Due Date Status
Milestone
Background & Planning •Background research – previous master plans, user groups, lease agreements, complaints, history of use, water use, water 1 July 2012 30 Started
availability/requirements September
•Broad drivers, stakeholder analysis, risk analysis 2012
•Potential issues (biological, environmental, cultural, physical)
•Develop consultation process
•Develop governance process
Councillor Note •Inform council of progress to date, key project milestones and timeline 23 July 2012 27 July Complete
2012
Develop Terms of Reference •Develop criteria for membership and terms of reference 17 July 2012 27 July Started
2012
Steering group Meeting 1 of 4 •Steering group meeting to sign off on governance, project plan and community engagement plan, terms of reference – Damien 26 July 2012 26 July Complete
Burgess Manager Parks and Open Spaces, Chris White Open Space Coordinator, Deidre Pellizzer – Manger Culture and Leisure, 2012
Kirsty Reidy – Coordinator Recreation, Susan Strano – Arts Team Leader, Kirsten Hughes – Coordinator Animal Management and
Local Laws, Darren Pendergast – Site contamination advisor.
Internal Consultation •Workshop key issues, strategies, leases, permits, activities, policies with internal stakeholders 3 September 26 October Complete
•Identify opportunities and constraints 2012 2012
Tree Assessment •Undertake tree assessment to inform tree management plan 15 December 20 January
•Add accurate GPD data for all trees into Dehko if not already in. 2012 2012
Infrastructure review •Review of all infrastructure in open space – condition, appropriateness, gaps/opportunities 3 September 26 October
2012 2012

31. Other issues?

32. Next Meeting
Next Meeting:
Lagoon Reserve Reference Committee–
Wednesday 13 February
Gasworks Arts Park Reference Committee –
Wednesday 20 February