Tue 25 May 2021
We are committed to designing and delivering public spaces that enhance our community’s lives. Our streets and places of the future will allow people to connect, feel safe and achieve a sense of belonging.
We have harmonised the three former Council’s guidelines around public space and developed the draft Northern Beaches Public Space Vision and Design Guidelines.
This draft, developed with ASPECT Studios and in close consultation with our stakeholders and community was placed on public exhibition between 2 October and 1 November 2020.
The decision to adopt the Public Space Vision and Design Guidelines was deferred at the Council Meeting held on Tuesday 23 March, pending the following changes:
These changes, where appropriate, were incorporated into the Northern Beaches Public Space Vision and Design Guidelines which were presented at the Council meeting on Tuesday 25 May 2021 and adopted.
Council minutes, Tuesday 25 May 2021, Item 12.3, pg.15
Council report, Tuesday 25 May 2021, Item 12.3, pg.107
During the exhibition period between Friday 2 October and Sunday 1 November 2020 we received 26 submissions. Overall the feedback reflected that the Public Space Vision and Design Guidelines were representative of the unique character of the Northern Beaches Local Government Area.
Six key themes were identified:
View the Response to submissions report - Aspect Studios
The guidelines present a unified vision for our public spaces that also recognises the unique features, character and heritage of the diverse villages and places.
These guidelines set out to bring consistency to projects across the area driven by criteria of quality, durability and sustainability. They also support environmental, social, and health outcomes through the introduction of best practice street design and material selection.
Streets are more than just a place for cars and infrastructure.
Accounting for more than 30 percent of all public open space in urban areas, our streets are not only places to move through, but can also be vibrant locations to sit, relax, ponder, and play.
The guidelines seeks to balance a variety of conditions within a succinct set of street types.
Warm sandy tones to paving complement the coastal context.
Appropriate material selection for harsh exposed coastal environments. High quality materials in prominent areas with high visitation.
Street trees and planting that are hardy to coastal environments and reinforce the local coastal character.
Warm browns and natural textures to complement the bushland environment.
Durable and low maintenance material selection for bushland locations. High quality materials for town and retail centres with high visitation.
Street trees and planting that are predominantly endemic species, reinforce local bush character and expand biodiversity.
Grey tones to complement existing urban palette. Durable and sustainable materials for these high pedestrian use urban areas.
High quality materials appropriate for main employment and retail zones.
Street trees and planting that are appropriate in scale and hardiness for installation within constrained urban conditions.
Warm sandy tones to paving complement the coastal context.
Appropriate material selection for harsh exposed coastal environments. High quality materials in prominent areas with high visitation.
Street trees and planting that are hardy to coastal environments and reinforce the local coastal character.
The Northern Beaches Public Space Vision and Design Guidelines will help Council and relevant stakeholders deliver well-designed public infrastructure that is both consistent and retains local character. The document replaces the three policy documents belonging to our former three councils.
These guidelines will form part of a suite of Council and engineering reference material that will have broad use. This material will help Council and developers when upgrading public spaces, ensuring that they are people-centric, safe and sustainable. The guidelines will also help residents understand future upgrades to infrastructure such as cycle path networks and water sensitive urban design.
The guidelines include objectives, which set out to meet state government targets, as well as principles that will guide Council and developers in achieving great design outcomes in public spaces.
Have questions or want to learn more about a project, contact us below:
| Name | Dominic Chung - Senior Urban Designer |
|---|---|
| Phone | 1300 434 434 |
| council@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au |
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We
acknowledge the Traditional Custodians and their Country on which we
gather today. By these words we show our respect to all Aboriginal
people. We acknowledge Elders past, present and emerging and the spirits
and ancestors of the Clans that lived in this area.
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