Master plan on display

A revised Draft Master Plan for the Victoria Esplanade will be on display at the Education Centre in the Esplanade from this Sunday, December 2, until Friday, December 7.


At least one member of the City Council’s Design Team will be in attendance each day from 10am until 4.30pm to explain the background to the design and receive any comments and feedback regarding the Plan.


The revised plan reflects feedback received at the public meeting held on November 6 when three draft Master Plan options were unveiled and also takes into account feedback from the display of the draft plans in the City Library and Plaza, following the meeting.


The Esplanade Design Team Coordinator, Alan Titchener, says over 100 submissions were received in response to the three draft Master Plan options.


Of those who indicated a preference for an option, slightly more favoured Option One with the remaining votes being evenly spread between the other two options and those who would prefer to see nothing happen to the Esplanade at all.


The feedback and comments had again been helpful in shaping the revision of the Master Plan ideas into a single draft plan he says.


Alan comments that a clear picture has emerged from the consultation process indicating widespread support for a new “in-flight” aviary, a new conservatory, the retention and upgrading of the playground, the retention of the RSA pool, maintaining the historic character of the park, upgrading paths, removing cars from Palm Avenue for all but special occasions and more, improved signage.


“Retaining a vehicular thoroughfare through the park is supported by a majority of people who responded to the draft options although a significant number are in favour of providing restricted access through the park at certain times,” he says.


“Opinions on the future of the duck pond are fairly evenly split with a slight majority in favour of shifting it to a new location between the hockey pitches and the playground.”


Alan points out that a few people registered their concern at the proposed re-routing of the miniature railway but most appear to accept that the newly-built loop around the central core area created issues that could only be resolved by realigning the track.


The proposed alignment is similar to that originally preferred by the Scenic Railway Club and it is proposed that it be further extended to near the Lido and Park Road.


He says opinions are divided on the suggestion to swap the functions of the café and the Education Centre or providing a new café building sited close to both the proposed new aviary and conservatory facilities.


Either way, the historic café building is to be retained.


“The latest version of the Master Plan aims to incorporate the best of the ideas for the Victoria Esplanade and reflects as closely as possible the feedback received from the public through the consultation process,” Alan comments.


The display in the Esplanade provides a further opportunity for comment and possible further revision before presenting the proposed Esplanade Master Plan to the City Council early in the new year.