SHIRE OF CAMPASPE : Riverboat Dock Landscape Master Plan

The Riverboat Dock Landscape Masterplan has been developed with the work of Landscape Architect Consultant Graeme Miles and a Steering Committee consisting of boat operators in the dock area and Council representatives.

The final documentation includes:

·        Steering Committee Final Recommendations

·        Council Design Unit Report

·         Consultant Graeme Miles Report

·        Consultant Graeme Miles Plan

Mike Bruty
lnfrastructure Manager
Chairman Steering Committee
June 2003

A5.11 Disabled Access & Movement

RECOMMENDATION — Identify all disability issues associated with access and movement for implementation at documentation stage.

16 Access-River boat Promenade The major ramp from the RiverBoat Promenade at the side of the rotunda is not long enough for the fall required (Approx 2.6m)

17 Access- Seating The large number (14) of seats on the river side of the middle level face away from the river.

18 Access- Seating All seats and picnic tables should have a hard paved area around them and a hard paved area connecting them to the pathway network. This is particularly necessary for those nearest disabled parking. The hard paved area makes for improved maintenance as well as improved access.

19 Access- Seating The cafe style seating proposed for the extensive viewing plafform outside the proposed rotunda needs to disabled accessible. There also needs to be a reasonable distance (2m) back from the viewing rail clear of seating.

20 Access to Riverboats-No attempt has been made at all to explain how access is to be gained from the major middle level promenades to the Riverboats. They are shown as a sort of combination between steps and ramps and do not appear to be long enough for the fall required. This has not been well thought out. There is a need to stage the access by building of ramps from the Middle level down to the Lower River View Promenade, (probably parallel to the Levee and by zigzagging) And then improving the gangway access from the Lower River View Promenade onto the boats.

21 Access- Carspaces The number of disabled car spaces now better reflects the user needs but there could also be a couple of designated short term set down spaces included at the middle level.

The northern entrance to the redevelopment area  from has stair access only. There is no ramped connection from the Levee Bank Walking trail to the River Walking trail any where to the North to bring people from the North (from parking and the caravan park) to the Riverboats.

At the disabled parking spaces on there needs to be kerb ramps provided.

Riverboat Dock Development

RIVERBOAT DOCK MASTERPLAN

Shire of Campaspe
October 2002

miles consultants

• Reconcile loop road configuration and area in relation to access, pedestrian and vehicle movement, river activity viewing and recreational facilities.
• Rationalization of vehicle parking strategies for Riverboat Dock and adjacent areas.
• Consolidation of the present Alison Barge area into a shady free lined Public Terrace.
• Installation of an Information Kiosk at the south end intersection of the Public Terrace.
• Reconcile and increase passive recreation spaces in relation to seating, picnic facilities, sun and shade, lighting and grassed areas.
• Identity opporf unities and constraints in a pedestrian river link-up from Riverboat Dock to the port precinct via a raised boardwalk. (Refer Section A5.6)
• Civil design and construction to address all disability issues throughout the staged development.
• Address site layouts in relation to opportunities and constraints to maximise visual influence, amenity and pedestrian movement.
• Reconcile riverboat boarding in relation to pedestrian, disabled and service vehicle access.
  Infrastructure
• Address condition of all existing infrastructure.
• Identification of all site infrastructure requirements to maximise public
  amenity and passive recreation needs.
• Address safety infrastructure issues in relation to retaining walls, fences and barriers and level changes.
  
  

Section through Riverboat Dock

miles consultants
Masterplan - Riverboot Dock Echuca Landscape Development Proiect 1

A3.3.2 Parking and Vehicle Access
The main parking area to Riverboat Dock is at street level in Watson Street and includes approximately 25 parking bays and a 4 bay bus terminal. There are no disabled parking bays apparent.

Vehicle access to Riverboat Dock is via the main road entrance from to the existing loop-road parking area on the lower level.

Access and parking in this area is restricted by site layout and tall stands of River Red Gums throughout the parking area and together with the lack of formal parking arrangements parking is disjointed and ad-hoc. Service vehicles entering this area include light transport and buses and due to size are severely restricted.

Generally the main parking areas to Riverboat Dock in and the loop-road parking area on the lower level are regarded as inadequate during peak periods.

The high level of traffic movement around Riverboat Dock particularly in the lower dock area itself compromise-s its potential as a pedestrian orientated tourist destination.

A3.3.3 Pedestrian Access and Movement

Pedestrian access to Riverboat Dock is restricted by present infrastructure and layout. Desirable pedestrian entry locations are discouraged by the lack of directional guidance, focal points and suitable infrastructure.

At present the main pedestrian flow from the historic Port Precinct and is naturally channelled down the entrance roadway from to the lower loop-road configuration. Pedestrian entry points and stairways along the footpath in are few, ill defined and of a low standard. The existing footpath is considered narrow and the present kerb alignment and associated infrastructure are visually confusing and in its present state will compromise future development.

Although the former baths building gives some focus of a main entry point the existing stairway from to the main dock area finishes in an uninviting area at the rear of the building.

None of the existing entry points are disability compliant.

Pedestrian movement around the lower dock area is informal with little directional guidance to destinations, recreational areas and walking trails The absence of a directional pathway system and signage is confusing to the visitor as to available facilities and infrastructure.

A5.1 1 Disabled Access and Movement

The development of strategies to maximise disabled access and movement complying with disability standards clearly presents a challenge due to the undulating terrain and steep riverbanks associated with Riverboat Dock and restricted project budgets. Although these issues have been addressed in principle all disability issues are to be identified and final design detail implemented at documentation stage.

RECOMMENDATION: Identify all disability issues associated with access and movement for implementation at documentation stage.