NATIONAL CAPITAL AUTHORITY
Australian Capital Territory
(Planning and Land Management) Act 1988
NATIONAL CAPITAL PLAN
DRAFT AMENDMENT 42
(York Park Master Plan)
August 2005
BACKGROUND
The Central National Area is defined in the National Capital Plan as an area that includes, among other areas, the “Parliamentary Zone and its setting”. “York Park” is an office area in Barton/ Forrest which forms a part of the setting of the Parliamentary Zone. It lies immediately below Parliament House and is bisected by a linear park - Windsor Walk. The area contains both National Land and Territory Land sites. Three major Avenues (Kings Avenue, Brisbane Avenue and Sydney Avenue), in addition to State Circle, provide street addresses.
The area of York Park is bounded by State Circle, Canberra Avenue, National Circuit and Kings Avenue and is within the area shown as in the National Capital Plan as Figure 8: The Central National Area (Barton).
In 1993, Amending Series No.3 of the National Capital Plan included a Master Plan for York Park and Environs as Appendix T.2 in the Plan. This Master Plan currently provides detailed conditions of planning, design and development that governs the design of works in the area and provides the basis for approval of those works by the National Capital Authority.
When the Master Plan for York Park was introduced in 1993, development was only just beginning to take place and the character of the area was still emerging. The RG Casey building (built in 1993 as new offices for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) established a significant architectural form in the area. The Master Plan was designed to ensure that development in York Park would achieve an identifiable character and be of a quality appropriate to the location close to Parliament House and the Parliamentary Zone. The Master Plan sets out to reinforce the Avenues by guiding the built form and landscape of the area.
URBAN DESIGN
Since the introduction of the Master Plan, York Park has been developed with a number of new buildings that have helped establish the form and character of the area. However, in the process of considering proposals, it has become evident to the Authority that elements of the Master Plan, such as architectural controls which required pitched tile roofs and building facades to be characterised by openings in masonry structures, (conceived during the design of the RG Casey building), were not necessary to the achievement of architectural excellence. The distinctive design of the RG Casey Building has established a strong architectural and urban design theme for the area’s frontage to State Circle. The building’s design principles do not readily translate to smaller development sites within York Park. It is therefore proposed by this amendment to remove these prescriptive controls. Any further development in York Park fronting State Circle should continue the strong sense of scale, formality and prestige of the RG Casey Building without necessarily replicating its architectural expression.
There is also a need to recognise the different streetscapes associated with the three major Avenues (Kings Avenue, Brisbane Avenue, Sydney Avenue) and State Circle in York Park. Detailed attention will therefore be required in setting development conditions for sites fronting these Avenues and State Circle.
LAND USE
As the built area of York Park is extended, with attendant increases in employment population and traffic, the role of the public domain in providing attractively landscaped areas, protecting pedestrian amenity and providing visual interest is heightened. It has become apparent to the Authority through the development control process that the design principles of the Master Plan could be more clearly expressed to ensure that high quality urban design outcomes are delivered, and the aspirations for York Park as a prestigious office precinct are achieved. Key areas of design control to be strengthened relate to the development of landscaped pedestrian areas, parking and development of retail/service land uses.
It is necessary that development controls accommodate a greater diversity of public and private sector office sizes and types. Changes in government policy regarding ownership and leasing of Commonwealth office accommodation require that increasing flexibility be provided in terms of location, office size, construction delivery and tenancy arrangements. It cannot be clearly forecast whether accommodation for another large-scale policy department like the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will be required in York Park, or whether the future development of York Park will be characterised by a series of smaller government tenancies, mixed with private sector offices. To this end, the Master Plan provides for a range of development sites which are capable of release as amalgamated or subdivided development packages, with a range of options for building rental and ownership by both the public and private sector.
RECREATION
There is a need to ensure adequate areas are available for active recreation as well as quiet outdoor places for workers to enjoy during the day. To this end, Windsor Walk is intended to provide a major central pedestrian spine in the form of a linear park connecting key parking, employment, services/retail and recreation destinations across the core of the master plan area. Seating is provided at various points along its length and open spaces for active recreation have been identified at either end of Windsor Walk. Windsor Walk forms an important part of the landscape setting of York Park.
CAR PARKING
Parking in York Park has become a significant issue. Potential development sites are almost fully occupied by long-stay commuter car parking.
The Authority’s parking policy for office development in Barton/Forrest has moved away from the provision of full car parking generated by development. On-site car parking for new office development is required at a minimum rate of one space per 100m2 gross floor area. A further on-site and/or off-site requirement of one space per 100m2 GFA has recently been applied after taking into account the current parking and public transport situation in the area. The parking provision as set is less than an office building’s typical demand rate for parking of between 2.5 and 3 spaces per 100m2 GFA.
The parking strategy has sought to encourage a modal split towards public transport whilst providing the conditions for the private sector to establish and operate two pay parking stations within York Park. It has also sought to reduce building costs and
keep traffic levels within manageable limits to protect the amenity of the area as a prestigious office environment.
The two proposed sites for multi-level parking structures are identified in the Master Plan. (A further site for multi-level parking is identified, nearby to York Park, at Section 9 Barton between Macquarie and Blackall Streets.) These facilities will allow off-site parking for office workers in York Park to be met at a level consistent with achieving a balance in the transport system serving the location.
On-street short-stay parking and provision of vehicle arrival courts are also identified as elements critical to the day-to-day functioning of the office precinct. The policies in the Master Plan address the management of these spaces to protect pedestrian safety and visual quality through traffic calming and streetscape design.
REVISED MASTER PLAN
An important feature of the office precinct is the need to ensure that a range of services and facilities is provided to meet the daily needs of the workforce. The National Capital Plan provides scope for limited retail and service outlets to provide services to those employed in the immediate vicinity. While this provision is to continue, the Master Plan provides more specific guidance for the location of retail and personal services. It is intended that a centre be constructed in association with the multistorey parking structure on the corner of Brisbane Avenue and Windsor Walk. This location has good pedestrian and vehicular access, and enjoys a satisfactory level of exposure from the retailing point of view. A key urban design principle proposed in the amended Master Plan requires that the car parking structure be built behind a screen of habitable retail/office buildings with address frontages to the important public streetscapes of Brisbane Avenue and Windsor Walk. A small plaza for outdoor cafes with northern orientation and an attractive outlook to landscaped open space is proposed as part of the retail/services strip.
A review of the Master Plan has been carried out against these changing circumstances and a revised Master Plan is now proposed for the York Park area. Draft Amendment 42 sets out this new Master Plan. The Draft Amendment is being exhibited for public comment before it is finalised.
In summary, the Principles, Policies and the Indicative Development Plan for York Park, currently set out at Appendix T.2 to the National Capital Plan, have been revised to reflect growth and change in the area since release of the original Master Plan in 1993 and to give greater emphasis to securing high quality urban design outcomes. The amended Master Plan provides additional clarity to the overall physical pattern of development, including land use policies, vehicle and pedestrian circulation, built form and open space. Greater definition has been given to the Master Plan’s urban design principles to respond to increased development pressure on a diminishing number of sites in York Park and to ensure delivery of a high quality public domain. Integrated urban design outcomes are pursued which seek to balance competing land uses including multi-storey parking, retail development, public open space, ecological and heritage values, and which will cater to a greater diversity of public and private sector office sizes and types.
A summary of proposed changes
The proposed changes of the National Capital Plan, set out in a formal way in the attached Draft Amendment 42, are:
1. Replacement of Figure 8 of the National Capital Plan showing Windsor Walk as proposed open space in lieu of a road land use category and other changes to Figure 8 including showing Block 4 Section 29, Forrest and Block 2 Section 1 Barton, as recreation areas.
2. Including Block 2 Section 15 Barton (RG Casey Building) in the land use policies as a site that permits general offices as well as “National Capital Uses” as defined the National Capital Plan.
3. Replacing the Master Plan in Appendix T.2 of the National Capital Plan to update the principle and guidelines for future development of York Park including an Indicative Development Plan and Indicative Development Sections to describe urban design intent of the Master Plan provisions.
INVITATION TO COMMENT
Individuals and organisations are invited to comment on the Draft Amendment. Comments in writing should be forwarded by close of business on
20 December 2002 to:
David Wright
Director (National Capital Plan)
National Capital Authority
GPO Box 373
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Email: david.wright@natcap.gov.au
If you would like further information, please contact Stuart Mackenzie by telephone
(02) 6271 2822, or by fax (02) 6271 2890.
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL PLAN
DRAFT AMENDMENT 42
(YORK PARK MASTER PLAN)
AMENDMENT 42 OF THE NATIONAL CAPITAL PLAN
(YORK PARK MASTER PLAN).
The National Capital Plan is amended in the following way:
- Amend Figure 8 in Part One of the National Capital Plan by -
1.1. altering the land use category of Windsor Walk (Block 3 Section 1 Barton, Block 3 Section 15 Barton and Block 2 Section 29 Forrest), the closed section of Canberra Avenue (Block 2 Section 28 Forrest), and Block 4 Section 29 Forrest and Block 7 Section 30 Forrest from “National Capital Use” and “Road” to “Open Space”;
1.2. altering the land use category of Pt Block 2 Section 1 (Oak Plantation) from “National Capital Use” to “Open Space”;
1.3. altering the land use category of Block 7 Section 30 Forrest from “Road” to “National Capital Use”;
1.4. deleting the words “York Park and Environs Master Plan” from the dot point in the legend that makes reference to Appendix T.2 and substituting the words: “York Park Master Plan”; and
1.5. deleting the words “after coming into effect of Amending Series 3 to the National Capital Plan” from the dot point in the legend that makes reference to on-site car parking requirement.
2. Amend the conditions on the page (p.41) following Figure 8 in Part One of the National Capital Plan by -
2.1. altering the heading of section “D” from “D – Blocks 3, 4 & 6 Section 29 and Blocks 2, 3, 9 & 11 Section 30 Forrest” to “D Blocks 3 & 6 Section 29 Forrest, Blocks 2, 3, 9 & 11 Section 30 Forrest, Blocks 3, 5 & 7 Section 22 Barton and Block 2 Section 15 Barton”.
2.2. Adding a new section “E” as follows:
E Block 2 Section 1 Barton
Objective
The objective for the site is to allow development forof National Capital Use in the southern part of the Block and for purposes consistent with protection of the whole heritage listed York Park North Tree Plantation (commonly known as the Oak Plantation) at the northern end of the block, and to include provision for parking, either in basements and/or in a parking structure, with and for ancillary/small scale retail and personal services at building theground level.
Land Use Policy
The primary land uses permitted are is:
NNational Capital Use; and
Open Space.
Other land uses permitted, ancillary to and in association with the primary uses, are:
- C
Car Park; and - Retail (s
Small scale shop), Personal Services Establishment, Café, Bar and Restaurant at building ground level and within a carpark structure if provided.within the carpark; and
3. Amend Appendix T – Master Plans Detailed Conditions of Planning, Design and Development of the National Capital Plan by –
3.1. deleting all references to the words “Appendix T.2: York Park and Environs Master Plan” from pages 217 and 235 and substituting “Appendix T.2: York Park Master Plan”; and
3.2. deleting the current “Appendix T.2: York Park and Environs Master Plan” and substituting a new “Appendix T.2: York Park Master Plan”.
The amended Figure 8 and following page 41, the amended Appendices pages 217 and 235 and the replacement “Appendix T.2 York Park Master Plan”, are as follow:
A Block 22 Section 6 Barton
Objective
The objective of the land use policy for this site is to encourage high density residential development, together with appropriate forms of commercial accommodation and other minor commercial uses.
Land Use Policy
The primary land use policy intended for this block is Residential
Other land uses permitted, ancillary to and in association with the primary use, are:
- Commercial Accommodation;
- Retail;
- Community Facility; and
- Recreation.
B Block 13 Section 9
Barton
Objective
The objective of the land use policy for this site is to provide an opportunity for the development of a car parking structure with active street frontages, incorporating shops, restaurants and professional services, and a small park.
Land Use Policy
The primary land use policy intended for this block is Car Park
Other land uses permitted, ancillary to and in association with the primary use, are:
- Retail;
- Cafe, Bar, Restaurant;
- Personal Services Establishment;
- Tourist Facility; and
- Park.
Development and redevelopment shall accord with the development conditions set out at Appendix U.
C Section 10 Barton
Objective
The objective for section 10 Barton is to enable the Hotel Kurrajong and its setting to be used as an Hotel and Hotel School without detriment to its heritage values.
Conditions of Planning, Design and Development:
- The land use policy for Section 10 Barton is “Hotel and Educational Establishment”.
- Block 3 Section 10 Barton is to be retained and maintained as public open space by the lessee, giving special consideration to heritage values.
- Landscape and building development works on Section 10 Barton shall give special consideration to the heritage values of the Hotel Kurrajong.
- Development must address street frontages.
D Blocks 3 & 6 Section 29
Forrest, Blocks 2, 3, 9 &
11 Section 30 Forrest,
Blocks 3, 5 & 7 Section
22 Barton and Block 2
Section 15 Barton
Objective
The objective of the land use policy for these sites is to allow office development in general in addition to National Capital Use purposes to enable the York Park precinct to achieve its maximum potential as an office employment area.
Land Use Policy
The primary land uses permitted are:
- National Capital Use; and
- Office.
41
E Block 2 Section 1 Barton
Objective
The objective for the site is to allow development forof National Capital
Use in the southern part of the Block and for purposes consistent with protection of the whole heritage listed York Park North Tree Plantation (commonly known as the Oak Plantation) at the northern end of the block, and to include provision for parking, either in basements and/or in a parking structure, with and for ancillary/small scale retail and personal services at building theground level.
.
Land Use Policy
The primary land uses permitted are is:
NNational Capital Use; and- Open Space.
Other land uses permitted, ancillary
to and in association with the primary National Capital Use, are are:
- C
Car Park; and - Retail (s
Small scale shop), Personal Services
Establishment, Café, Bar and Restaurant at building ground level and within a Car Park structure if provided.
APPENDIX T2 YORK PARK MASTER PLAN
235
Appendix T2
The development of York Park and environs is primarily to accommodate prestigious offices requiring proximity to Parliament House. York Park occupies a prominent site in the Central National Area and contributes to the urban form and landscape features which give the National Capital its special character and setting. It forms part of the backdrop and approaches to Parliament House and an edge to the Parliamentary Triangle at Kings Avenue. York Park has a key role in the daily functions of government, provides sites for the headquarters of major national associations and plays an international role in receiving visiting officials and dignitaries. Consequently, it is necessary that development of York Park and its public domain should achieve design excellence of a high order.
‘York Park’ is the gazetted name of the areas contained within Sections 1 & 15 Barton and Section 29 Forrest (named after commemorative tree plantings by HRH the Duke of York in 1927), however for the purposes of the Master Plan, ‘York Park’ refers also to the environs beyond these Sections, and includes all of the area between National Circuit, Canberra Avenue, State Circle and Kings Avenue.
The primary ordering structure of the Central National Area, of which York Park and its main avenues are integral components, is Walter Burley Griffin’s formally adopted Plan for Canberra. It is fundamental to this Master Plan that development respects the geometry and symbolic intent of the Griffin Plan, particularly the vistas to and from Parliament House and the connections to national institutions, monuments and landscape spaces in and around the Parliamentary Zone. The different streetscapes associated with the three major Avenues (Kings Avenue, Brisbane Avenue, Sydney Avenue) and State Circle need to be recognised and reinforced.
The Central National Area is identified as a Designated Area of the National Capital Plan (the Plan). Therefore, York Park is subject to the principles and general policies of the Plan for the Central National Area, in particular, sectionChapter 1.4: Detailed Conditions of Planning, Design and Development. Consequently the urban design criteria of the Master Plan have been formulated on the basis of these Conditions. These include aspirations for a high quality of urban design and architecture. Principles of environmental sustainability will also be applied in the assessment of new developments.
To protect the integrity of views to and from Parliament House, development is generally limited to a maximum height datum of RL 591m. A general plot ratio control such as that in Appendix H – Design and Siting Conditions, will not be used as a means of controlling development intensity for the Master Plan area. Density Controls will be established in development guidelines for individual sites. The density of sites will be determined by height control, setbacks, parking provision and environmental performance standards such as sun access and provision of landscaped internal courts. Specific height and setback controls will be provided for individual sites prior to land release or design development. (Refer: 4. Development Approval)
The principles and policies that follow should be read in conjunction with the York Park Indicative Development Plan and Indicative Development Sections at Figures 1- 4.
2. The urban structure and character of York Park should reflect the geometry and intent of the Griffin Plan, and provide a legible hierarchy of streets and public spaces.
3. Architectural excellence is essential for development in York Park, commensurate with its location adjacent to Parliament House.
4. High quality landscape design is essential for the development of York Park as a prestigious setting for national capital uses and offices.
5. The landscape design of streets, pedestrian paths and open spaces of York Park are to consist of a range of formal and informal spaces that reinforce the Griffin geometry and contribute to the landscape setting of Parliament House.
6. The public domain of York Park should provide for places for local recreation with a high level of pedestrian amenity.
7. Individual buildings should contribute to the coherent definition of streets, blocks and public spaces, forming the public domain of the Master Plan area, and contribute to the public domain’s active pedestrian qualities.
8. Less use of private transport and greater use of public transport should be encouraged, particularly for the journey to work, with more efficient use made of private transport.
9. Safe and convenient movement systems for pedestrians and cyclists should be provided within the precinct.
10. Significant natural and heritage values of the area should be identified and protected.
3.1 Land Use
a) The primary land uses permitted in York Park are ‘National Capital Use,’ and ‘Offices’, w(which may include Commonwealth offices and offices for national associations), and Open Space.
b) Limited retail and service outlets are permitted as ancillary uses to provide services to those employed in the immediate vicinity. Childcare facilities as ancillary uses are also permitted in the area.
c) Commercial parking structures, if providedrequired to meet parking supply in York Park, are to be located whereprovided at the locations identifiedshown on the Indicative Development Plan at Figure 1. Retail and personal service outlets may also be permitted in the ground level of the structures as ancillary small scale facilities.
d) Retail and personal services outlets to serve the needs of those employed in the immediate vicinity should be provided at the street level of office and parking buildings in the location identified for a “Retail Plaza” on the Indicative Development Plans: Figures 1-4.
e) Large spaces for recreation are to be provided at either end of Windsor Walk including a large space suitable for active recreation at the Canberra Avenue end of Windsor Walk.
a) Buildings are to be sited parallel with the Avenues (Kings Avenue, Brisbane Avenue and Sydney Avenue), with National Circuit and State Circle, to provide definition to the geometry of the Griffin Plan with built form.
b) Individual development proposals will be assessed on their merits in respect to the contribution made to the quality of the public domain – the streets, footpaths and open spaces of York Park – as a safe, attractive and pedestrian active environment.
c) Surface carparks are inappropriate as foreground to the views from Parliament House and, to the extent they are permitted on a temporary basis, they are to be carefully screened with landscape.
d) A bBuilding height limit s will be specified for individual development sites, however, a maximum height limit of AHD RL 591m generally applies throughout the area covered by the Master Plan. However, buildings in the tall building zoneon Block 2 Section 1 Barton, as shown in the Indicative Development Plan, buildings of up to RLAHD 602m, inclusive of plant and roof height, may be considered where they add visual interest to the skyline, are set back from the Main Avenue frontages, and ensure ensured that This measure will ensure that Parliament House remains pre-eminent in views from elevated viewing points such as Mount Ainslie and from the eastern sector of the Molonglo Basin.
e) As Parliament House is sited above York Park, the roofscapes of buildings warrant particular attention. Roof plant is to be carefully integrated and enclosed within the roof form. Minor roofscape elements will be permitted to extend above the RL the 591m height limitdatum, to an extent not exceeding that of the RG Casey building, to add visual interest to the skyline.
f) Critical building lines have been established for the Main Avenues. Fifteen (15) metre setbacks are required for buildings facing Kings Avenue, ten (10) metre setbacks on Brisbane Avenue and six (6) metres on Sydney Avenue. Buildings on Block 2 Section 1 Barton that front Kings Avenue will require a greater set back than 15 metres to ensure protection of the oak tree plantation that is on the Commonwealth List of heritage places.
g) Porte cocheres, drop off points and minor architectural elements, which articulate and enhance the building elevation, will be considered within front setback zones.
h) On State Circle, a variable setback of a minimum of twenty (20) metres is to apply, to allow the buildings to merge visually and spatially with the informal character of the woodland landscape surrounding Capital Hill.
i) All buildings on blocks with a frontage to Kings, Brisbane or Sydney Avenue should generally have a significant entry facing the Avenue.
j) Services and service entries should be concealed from Main Avenues and pedestrian pathways. Basement carparks should be constructed below finished ground level and concealed from public streets and pedestrian areas.
k) The number of vehicle crossings should be kept to a minimum, to enhance the amenity and safety of pedestrian paths.
l) Windsor Walk is to be further developed and retained as landscaped open space.
a) The landscape setting of York Park will consist of a range of formal and informal spaces that reinforce the geometry of the Walter Burley Griffin Plan and contribute to the setting of Parliament House.
b) Landscape design in York Park will be of a high quality, commensurate with the location adjacent to Parliament House and places of national significance within the Central National Area.
c) The Main Avenues - Kings Avenue, Brisbane Avenue and Sydney Avenue - are to be treated as formal landscaped boulevards that emphasise the street hierarchy and geometry of the Griffin Plan with regular street tree plantings, high quality verges, pavements and streetscape furniture.
d) Landscaping of frontages to State Circle will generally be informal, and similar in character to the native woodlands surrounding Parliament House, in order to visually connect York Park to Capital Hill and contribute to its landscape setting.
e) Windsor Walk is to serve as a central linear park and continuous pedestrian spine connecting public car parks, office destinations, the proposed retail plaza and a variety of landscaped recreation areas. It is to provide spaces for active recreation as well as quiet outdoor places for workers to enjoy during the day. Nodes of intimate formal parks are to be developed as accents within an otherwise informal woodland character extending the length of the Walk. Larger spaces for recreation are to be provided at either end of Windsor Walk.
f) High quality paving, lighting and bollards, integrated with soft landscape treatments, are required within site boundaries to complement the standards set and maintained in the public domain.
g) The design of parking areas and arrival courts should incorporate generously scaled tree planting beds to provide shade and separation to parking bays. Quality streetscape furnishings and paving treatments are to be utilised to provide visual relief to surface carparks and vehicular areas within or adjacent to places characterised by higher levels of pedestrian use.
h) Internal courtyards of office buildings should generally provide deep in-ground planting conditions and be of a dimension suitable for establishing large trees.
i) Spaces in front of building lines are to be landscaped to reinforce the theme of York Park as prestigious buildings in a landscape setting.
j) External security barriers, if required, such as bollards and retaining walls, should be designed as integral and attractive elements of the civic landscape of York Park.
a) The highest standards of architecture will be sought for all buildings in the precinct.
b) Individual buildings should be aligned with and contribute to the coherent definition of streets, blocks and public spaces intended for the Master Plan area.
c) High quality, prestigious and durable building materials are required to be used for all developments.
d) Buildings shall be a minimum of 4 storeys on the Main Avenue frontages.
e) New buildings should complement, but not necessarily imitate, the style, colour, form, scale and finishes of surrounding buildings.
f) Unpainted or galvanised metal will not be permitted on roofs, parapets or fascias.
g) Lift overruns, plant rooms and any roof mounted aerials, masts and dishes should be designed and sited to have a low visual impact when viewed from the street or Parliament House.
h) External signage will be subject to the signs policies of the National Capital Plan.
i) Floodlighting of buildings will be subject to on-site testing to ensure that brightness levels do not compete with Parliament House.
a) Parking policies for the York Park area are designed to encourage greater use of public transport for the journey to work.
b) An overall reduction in the total long-term car parking provision is proposed. This will be achieved by initially limiting the amount of on-site parking permitted in new developments.
c) On-site car parking shall be provided, at a rate of 1 space per 100 square metres of gross floor area, for new offices approved in the York Park area. A higher on-site and/or off-site provision may be required by the Authority in specific cases, after taking into account the relationship between on-site parking, off-site parking opportunities and the capacity of public transport in the area.
d) Surface car parks on unleased land will be progressively replaced by strategically located multi-level parking structures and/or underground parking areas. Supplementary car parking in temporary surface car parks may be provided pending the development of these parking facilitiesstructures.
e) If for specific sites the Authority determines that the amount of parking to be provided should be above the minimum on-site amount specified in (c) above, this additional parking may be provided either on-site, or by way of a contribution to the Territory Government for off-site provision of that parking in the locality, or by a combination of these methods.
f) Parking for non-office uses will be provided at rates consistent with the standards of the Territory Government.
a) Windsor Walk will be constructed and landscaped to form the main pedestrian spine through York Park.
b) Cycle ways and pedestrian paths will be provided to enable safe and convenient movement and should connect to major peripheral paths.
c) Pedestrian safety and visual amenity should be secured through traffic calming and appropriate streetscape design.
d) New development should provide a positive address to pedestrian areas, to provide visual interest, activity and passive surveillance. Blank facades and exposed service areas should generally be avoided.
e) Opportunities for linking pedestrian networks of York Park with surrounding areas such as the trail system in the peripheral parklands of Parliament House should be addressed in the development of Section 1 Barton.
a) Part of Block 3 Section 22 (site of investigation for rare moth Synemon plana) will be the subject of further study to determine its ecological and habitat value in the long term. Pending that study, the site is to be protected.
b) Development of the northern part of Section 1 Barton will be subject to a Conservation Management Plan taking into account the heritage significance of the York Park North Tree Plantation.
a) Public domain works and site infrastructure should be implemented concurrently with new adjoining development.
b) New developments may be required to provide public infrastructure, including adjacent access roads and landscaped public spaces such as Windsor Walk, in accordance with detailed development requirements set by the National Capital Authority
Development is to comply with the provisions of the York Park Master Plan and generally accord with the Indicative Development Plan at Figure 1 and Indicative Development Sections at Figures 2–4. Site specific design guidelines will be developed, as necessary, based on the Master Plan and the relevant provisions of the National Capital Plan. The site specific design guidelines will provide the basis for the assessment of development applications for Works Approval.
