Gympie Town Centre Streetscape and Urban Design Palette · VERSION V07 Gympie Town Centre...

VERSION V07

Gympie Town Centre Streetscape and Urban Design PaletteGympie Town Centre Revitalisation Project Stage 2

PREPARED FOR GYMPIE REGIONAL COUNCIL 04 JANUARY 2015

Contents

1 Introduction 11.1 The Intent of this Document 2

2 Town Centre Vision and Branding Direction 32.1 The Place Brand 32.2 Our Place logo 42.3 Identified Local Values and Aspirations 42.4 Town Centre Attributes 6

3 Key Streets and Places 8

4 Design Values and Direction 9

5 Proposed Palette Options 105.1 Hardscape Palette 105.2 Softscape Palette 22

Appendix A: Existing Materials and FurnishingsAppendix B: Recommended Products

| 1

1 INTRODUCTION

The central purpose of this document is to provide a consistent overall direction for streetscape materials and furnishings to be considered and applied along Mary Street, identified community focal points, adjacent streets and open space.

Reflective of the views of the community established through community engagement for the Town Centre Branding and Marketing Strategy, the palette aims to meld the existing unique local heritage and character of Gympie and the contemporary aspirations of the community. The goal being to create a positive reputation and user experiences as well as community pride in place.

The palette is intended to apply predominantly to Mary Street and Smithfield Street however it should also apply to any redevelopment and upgrades in key sections of other streets in the Town Centre as well as to the open space areas of Memorial Park and Nelson Reserve.

The palette should also be applied to new community facilities where new areas of public realm could be created. Figure 1 (page 8) identifies the streets and spaces to which the palette is intended to apply.

The Gympie Town Centre Streetscape and Urban Design Palette, sets out a preferred and consistent design direction, principles and intent for streetscape materials and furnishings to be used in the Town Centre public realm.

PLACE Design Group2 |

1.1 THE INTENT OF THIS DOCUMENT

The intent of this document is to provide a style-guide and preferred direction for materials and furnishings to be applied in both operational asset replacement (eg. replacement or upgrade of furnishings such as litter bin enclosures, drinking fountains and bench seating) and for more detailed design consideration when undertaking key streetscape upgrade and revitalisation projects.

The palette aims to:

• Promote a consistency of the overall streetscape palette• Provide continuity along Mary Street, Smithfield Street, adjacent streets and open spaces• Capture opportunities to create social spaces and community focal points• Recommend a palette that complements the existing materials used in Mary Street, assuming that these will not be replaced in entirety in the short termInitially a comprehensive review of key streets and open spaces in the town centre was undertaken to determine the variety and condition of existing materials and furnishings used throughout the town centre. The town centre has evolved over time and a variety of design approaches and materials are evident and these are in varying states of condition. Refer Appendix A.

The streetscape along the one-way traffic sections of Mary Street were upgraded in the 1980’s (refer Gympie postcard page 4) and whilst paving is generally in a serviceable condition, the furnishings are reaching a stage where renewal is occurring and will be increasingly required. A key intent of this palette is to ensure that short term replacement of furnishings is cohesive with an overall preferred town centre palette and streetscape design direction that will be realised over a longer time frame. Key considerations for new materials and items in the palette included:

• Quality, Longevity and Continuity• Maintenance and Sustainability• Comfort and Functionality• Contribution to achieving the preferred character• Safety and Access

Gympie Town Centre and its landscape context, source: Gympie Regional Council

Gympie Town Centre Streetscape and Urban Design Palette | January 2015 | 3

2 TOWN CENTRE VISION AND BRANDING DIRECTION

Alongside the development of this palette a separate but related project referred to as the Gympie Town Centre Branding and Marketing Strategy (2014) has been undertaken by Council. The objective of the strategy is to determine an overall vision and direction for the branding and marketing of the Town Centre. The project involved consultation opportunities with the community, key stakeholders, elected representatives and local businesses.

There are a range of key findings and directions arising out of this body of work that are directly relevant to the determination of the Town Centre palette and streetscape design direction. In particular the Branding and Marketing Strategy has arrived at an overarching “place brand” and “Our Place Logo” as well as identifying local values and aspirations that should be enhanced, reinforced and built upon.

2.1 THE PLACE BRAND

Gympie Town Centre’s place brand is captured by the words ‘Golden Opportunity’. These words capture the Town Centre’s ‘essence’ or ‘personality’ to reflect the best of what the town has been, what it is today and its potential for the future. Golden Opportunity represents the Gympie community’s traditional values and the aspirations for the future.

‘Golden’ refers to Gympie’s past and the future. It describes a place that is promising and valued; historical and enduring; brilliant and happy; flourishing and mature; and healthy and fresh. Golden talks about the gold rush history, our elders, the sun and fresh produce, beauty, value and endurance.

‘Opportunity’ is positive and forward thinking, it refers to Gympie’s relaxed way of life and affordable living, freedom of expression, sense of entrepreneurship, community activities and events.

Gympie ‘Our Place Logo’ and ‘Place Brand’, source: Place Partners (2014)


2.2 OUR PLACE LOGO

The Our Place Logo was developed as a key part of the Gympie Town Centre Branding and Marketing Strategy. It is a graphic mark that represents the Gympie Town Centre’s desired future place brand and represents Gympie Town Centre’s brand essence and the key messages that the brand aims to deliver.

2.3 IDENTIFIED LOCAL VALUES AND ASPIRATIONS

Four main themes emerged from consultation processes. These are summarised below as follows:

HISTORY AND HERITAGE

Gympie’s gold mining history and the series of heritage buildings and sites are valued attributes of the town. The town’s ‘gold’ history is the underlining character that the locals often identify with and the community feel proud of their collective memories and celebrate them via events such as the Anzac Day Parade. History and heritage were town characteristics most commonly identified during consultation activities.

The main street provides a unique ‘going into town’ experience for residents from the smaller towns in the Gympie region. Gympie’s history of over 140 years offers layers of meaning and memories that are valued by the local people. Positive stories arise from enduring the recurrent flooding, economic transition to agriculture and manufacture industries and the locals’ small and big achievements.

• 62% said they liked the colour gold because of their gold mining history• 51% said the Gympie Town Centre should be known as ‘a town strong in history and heritage’ in the future

Gympie Postcard, source: http://www.queenslandplaces.com.au/gympie?page=2

Mary Street, Gympie, 1908, John Oxley Library, State Library Queensland, Neg: 236573


RESILIENT COMMUNITY

Gympie has been a town with a strong sense of community since its establishment as a mining town and through the recurrent floods. The locals are proud of their warm, friendly nature and willingness to help in times of need. While such connection holds the community together emotionally and the town centre serves as the administrative centre of the region, it was felt that more could be done so that the town centre strengthened its role as the centre of the community.

• 42% said they would like Gympie Town Centre to become known as ‘a great place to socialise’ • Words like ‘welcoming’, ‘friendly’, ‘country soul’ were used to describe the people of Gympie • The locals would like to spend more time in the Town Centre if there were more things to do

ACTIVE AND HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

There was strong interest expressed in improving health while bringing more energy into the Town Centre. Given the strong agricultural industry in the region there is consideration that fresh/gourmet food could be a logical avenue for economic development and that the town centre could be marketed more as a hub for fresh produce and showcase the regions produce, for example notions like ‘Paddock to the Plate’. This would also align with ‘healthy lifestyle’ themes.

• Quality cafes, restaurants, and outdoor dining options were identified as things that would get people to spend more time in the Town Centre • Food related events like markets would draw more people into the Centre• Connecting the Town Centre with the beautiful surrounding landscape would rejuvenate the Town Centre • 40% said they like the colour ‘leaf green’ because it is representative of Gympie’s broader regional landscape

Memorial Park Band Stand, source: Gympie Regional Council

Yarn Bomb Bike, source: PLACE Design Group 2013


ART AND CULTURE

During the engagement activities participants expressed a strong interest and support for bringing youth into the Town Centre. They felt that it was unfortunate there are no informal avenues for young people to pursue art and music, although Gympie Regional Gallery and the Australian Institute of Country Music are two formal avenues.

• Markets and live events (i.e. music) were identified as ways to attract people to the main street, including young people• Markets (51%), outdoor dining (48%) and free wi-fi (39%) were the top three amenities in the Town Centre desired by the community • The Town Centre was thought to have an opportunity to create a vibrant and creative environment that is different from that of the shopping centres

2.4 TOWN CENTRE ATTRIBUTES

When asked to describe the best attributes of the Gympie Town Centre using words or images, there was a wide variety of responses, however several key themes emerged:

• History & Heritage (History, heritage buildings, gold rush beginnings)• Atmosphere (Tree lined atmosphere, country feel, homey and quiet)• Nature (parks and gardens, trees, the Mary Valley) • Public amenities and facilities

These results indicated that respondents highly value their sense of community, the country feel of the town and the natural environment.

Gold City Centre Stage, source: Gympie Regional Council

Zig Zag Park, source: Gympie Regional Council


When asked about what the future town centre should become known as in the future the following themes emerged:

• A town strong in history and heritage (51%) • A great place to socialise (42%) • Other (34%), this included Heart of Gympie, boutique local shops, friendly community, pensioner friendly, Social Scene, Gateway to Cooloola Coast) • The best main street shopping (31%) • The most attractive public realm (27%) • The region’s commercial centre (12%)

Places to sit and meet, public art, cleaner amenities and more room on footpaths were also suggested as desirable aspirations for the future of the town centre. Locals aspire to a Town Centre that is historic, social and relaxed, and they also desire a diverse and progressive community hub. When asked what improvements would get visitors to visit the town centre more often, the following attributes were mentioned most:

• Markets (51%) • Outdoor dining (48%) • Free wifi (39%) • More trees and plants (31%) • Improved public amenity (29%) • Child friendly areas (29%) • Public art (28%) • Comfortable seating (27%)

Pedestrian Crossing, Lower Mary Street, source: Gympie Regional Council


3 KEY STREETS AND PLACES

For the purposes of this palette the key streets and places have been categorised by their relative ‘link’ or ‘place’ function. For example some streets have a very strong ‘place’ role to play in the town centre whilst others have a greater ‘link’ function. Generally speaking streets and places with a ‘place’ function should cater more to pedestrian amenity and ease of movement whilst streets with a link function lean more towards a traffic movement role.

PRINCIPAL STREETS (‘PLACE’ > ‘LINK’ FUNCTION)These are the primary pedestrianized streets / lanes within the town centre and should have the most intensive urban design and streetscape attention to detail; the highest level of weather protection, shade, pedestrian comfort; and the highest quality of finishes, plantings and furnishings.

SOCIAL SPACES (‘PLACE’ > ‘LINK’ FUNCTION)These are existing and potential spaces on Principal Streets that have potential to provide focal social and meeting points. Social spaces should incorporate public art and bespoke furnishings and treatments to create unique or related identities in each.

RECREATION SPACE (‘PLACE’ > ‘LINK’ FUNCTION) These are the key open spaces within the Town Centre and generally should incorporate standard furnishings. Materials should generally be of a more cost-effective and robust standard than Principal Streets and Social Spaces.

LINKING STREETS (‘PLACE’ = ‘LINK’ FUNCTION)Streets that are less pedestrian intensive than Principal Streets but should still provide comfortable pedestrian linkages to important open space, community amenities and facilities (eg. Memorial Park, Nelson Reserve, Town Hall, Library, Cinemas, future Youth Plaza, future Transit Facility). Furnishings such as seating and litter bins should be provided but at less intensity than Principal Streets.

CONTEXT STREETS (‘PLACE’ < ‘LINK’ FUNCTION) Streets important to the image of the town centre but with less pedestrian intensity. Comfortable and unimpeded pedestrian linkages are still required but with less intensity of finishes and furnishings than Linking Streets. FIGURE 1: GYMPIE TOWN CENTRE - KEY STREETS AND PLACES

LEGEND

KEY SPACES

RECREATION SPACE

NELSON RESERVE

MONKLAND STREET

NASH STREET

CHANNON STREET

MEMORIAL PARK

BRUCE HIGHWAY

MARY STREET

REEF STREET

BARTER STREET

REEF STREETRIVER ROAD

PRINCIPAL STREETS CONTEXT STREETSLINKING STREETS SOCIAL SPACES

JAYCEE WAY

MELLO

R STREET

CALEDONIAN HILL

CALTON

HILL

LAW

REN

CE S

TREE

T

YOUNG STREET

ZIG ZAG PARK


4 DESIGN VALUES AND DIRECTION

The following characteristics have been distilled from the consultation and workshops held to date for all related Town Centre Revitalisation projects and have been used as a reference when assessing and deciding upon key materials and furnishings in the palette.

PROGRESSIVE COUNTRY TOWN

In overarching terms it is considered that the character of the town centre should aim to be more “progressive country town” in feel and style rather than “sophisticated urban” or “traditional rural”.

RESPECT HERITAGE

Heritage values should be fully respected by not imitating or reproducing heritage elements, materials or historic architectural detailing. The best site responsive design of the time should be employed and there should be a sense of craft, value and endurance in any new works.

REGIONAL REFERENCES

Natural colours reflecting the colours of the Gympie Region should be used, predominantly golden hues and fresh leaf green colours (refer p19 for suggested colour palette). Natural hardwood timbers should be used as a reference to the history of the town and the predominant early building material.

HONESTY AND HUMOUR

There should be both material and structural honesty with ‘vernacular’ design value in materials and detailing. Public art should interpret local narratives and stories and creative elements should aim to instil a sense of humour and be creative and quirky.

SOCIAL SPACES

Furniture selections and arrangements should facilitate a sense of community, socialising, freedom of expression and meeting. Spaces should facilitate both impromptu socialising and organised meetings for individuals, couples and small groups. Spaces for outdoor dining and for monthly / seasonal events like produce and farmers markets should be built into the streetscape. Day and night activity should be envisaged and inform design solutions. Streetscape of Lower Mary Street, source: Gympie Regional Council


5 PROPOSED PALETTE OPTIONS

5.1 HARDSCAPE PALETTE

PEDESTRIAN PAVING

In lower Mary Street red clay pavers have been used throughout the streetscape. Unless replacement of large areas of these existing pavers will occur any new pedestrian paving in this area should be selected to complement the the existing paving.

Selection of new paving materials in other areas should be focused on contributing more material variety and more visual and textural interest than exists in lower Mary Street.

Clay or coloured concrete pavers of different colours and textures could also be introduced to create more visual interest and break the monotony of red clay pavers. Paving materials should also be selected based on wayfinding outcomes and to potential to improve pedestrian legibility.

It would be possible to introduce selected new materials into the existing palette and still provide a cohesive and integrated outcome. Distinct precincts within the Town Centre could also have more of a focus on certain paving materials and material combinations to highlight the unique identity of each precinct. More intensive paving patterns and detailing should be used in Principal Streets and Social Spaces.

01

04

02

05

03

06

Coloured concrete pavers laid in an irregular pattern

Inlaid coloured concrete with sandblasted and stained artwork patterning

Glazed ceramic mosaic insert

Basalt stone laid in slabs and on edge

Stone setts in a range of colours laid to create visual effect

Sandblast patterned coloured concrete

02

03

04

05

06

01


PEDESTRIAN PAVING Cont/..

Creative and public art installations could be incorporated into paving surfaces by way of mosaics, relief carving and patterning, sandblasted patterns and chemical staining etc. These would ideally be focussed on more intensive use areas such as intersections of Mary Street with other streets and linkages and at key nodes such as meeting spaces and outdoor dining spaces.

Natural materials would add further richness and timelessness to the palette and could be selected to reflect the local geology and context through creative usage of local and regional stone in different patterns. Where levels are appropriate and decking is an option, hardwood timber decking could also be used. Where there are service pits located in paving areas the lids should have infill type lid trays fitted so that paving materials can be inlayed in the tray to match the surrounding paving material and pattern. In Principal Streets decorative stainless steel or brass riser edging should be specified for any lids in paving.

TGSI type and colour should be consistently used throughout the Town Centre and selected to provide the required luminence contrast to the background material for example dark charcoal or black TGSI’s could be used in areas of red clay pavers. TGSI pavers and tiles tend to wear better than insert versions with tiles usually being more colour stable.

07

10

08

11

09

12

08

09

10

11

12

07 Clay pavers in various colours

Concrete pavers in variuous colours

In-situ light wash coloured concrete slab paving

Shotblasted stone pavers with text inlay

Shotblasted stone pavers with pattern inlay

Hardwood timber decking


01

04

02

05

03

06

FURNITURE THEMES: SEATING, TABLE SETTINGS, LITTER BINS

Gympie Town Centre Furniture Suite

New furniture should be of a design that suits the preferred precinct character. A reproduction heritage style is not appropriate. To strengthen Town Centre identity and sense of place a Gympie Town Centre range of furniture items should be developed and designed by furniture / industrial designers with proven experience and creativity in this field. It is important to Council that furniture items are able to be readily replaced and that parts and spares are readily available on short lead times.

Seating typologies should facilitate social interaction and include options for armrests and backrests. A means of adjusting furniture leg lengths to allow for the various grades and falls throught the Town Centre is required. Furniture choice should also have regard to the space available in the street to locate and allow for adequate clearance.

Furniture should incorporate real timber in body contact areas as this material provides warmth, familiarity and thermal comfort for users. In the pursuit of authenticity we would not recommend use of artificial or composite timber slats or fake timber finishes.

Metal framing and supports could be anodised or powdercoated cast aluminium supports and a range of earthy colours is available in either type of finish. The furniture range should include a variety of functional seating forms including standard bench seating and tables as well as platform benches that cater for small groups.

In lower-order streetscapes and in areas requiring a higher level of vandal and wear resistance timber battens may be substituted by coloured HDPE slats or anodised aluminium extruded slats to decrease life-cycle maintenance costs.

01

02

03

04

05

06

Concrete base plinth, folded anodised aluminium frame, timber slat seating Long timber bench with alternating backrests

Folded metal and timber slat platform, seating possible either side of bench

Light timber batten on steel frame

Seating platform and individual / couple table

One-off unique crafted artpiece seating from robust materials


07

10

08

11

09

12

FURNITURE THEMES: SEATING, TABLE SETTINGS, LITTER BINSCont/..

Litter bins should continue the stylistic theme with timber slat paneling on basic aluminium or stainless steel framing. Again timber may be substituted by HDPE or aluminium slats in high wear areas.

Another alternative for litter bin enclosures is folded anodised aluminium forms sympathetically treated and coloured in a simple uncomplicated design. The litter bin enclosure range should accommodate 240 litre wheelie bins and include an enclosure for recyclable waste. A cigarette “butt-out” panel or receptacle should be incorporated onto the general waste enclosures.

In the recreation spaces there are likely to be other recreational furniture items such as outdoor table tennis tables which could be coloured or painted to suit their settings. Barbecue benches will be required in Nelson Reserve and bench tops should be constructed from high durability food-grade surfaces such as precast concrete with a honed surface or fabricated from stainless steel.

Social Spaces

In identified Social Spaces (refer Figure 1) there is a place for stand alone and bespoke integrated art seating elements that are created and delivered by public artists and/or specialist designers and fabricators.

These could build upon applicable local themes and narratives or could be developed through workshops with the local community. Specific narratives, local cultural references and locations for these should be determined through development of a public art strategy for the Town Centre.

08

09

10

11

12

07 Litter bin enclosures, folded aluminium frame and timber batten infill

Litter bin enclosure, stainless steel frame and timber batten infill, general waste and recycle options

Contemporary litter bin enclosure from folded, anodised metal with lasercut patterning

Fixed table tennis table, powdercoated or epoxy coated aluminium

Robust picnic table setting, contemporary folded anodised aluminium

Robust electric BBQ setting with polished concrete bench and aluminium frame


FURNITURE THEMES: BOLLARDS, BICYCLE RACKS, DRINK FOUNTAINS, TREE GRATES, SCREENS, BARRIERS, FENCES & RAILINGS

Other furniture items should work with the contemporary style of the main seating elements in furniture palette. Furniture provides the opportunity to inject some creativity and fun into the Town Centre in terms of the form of individual items. There is also potential to integrate artwork into various items. Themes to explore should be considered in an overall public art strategy for the Town Centre.

Drink fountains need to be robust, can highlight water use and must be compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act. Cycle racks can be inspired by bicycle forms or contemporary approach that improves legibility of the items.

Where they are needed a variety of tree grate forms and styles could be implemented as opposed to off-the-shelf patterns to create interest and celebrate street trees along Mary Street and in Smithfield Street. Screens and barriers have great potential to incorporate integrated artwork, creative patterns and even greenwall elements. These could be used to tell the story of Gympie and its significant characters and stories in an interpretive way.

01

02

03

04

05

06

Powdercoated steel bollard with timber cladding

Forged steel bollard with spray metal finish

Powdercoated steel plate bollard with timber cladding

Powdercoated cast aluminium drinking fountain

Stainless steel drinking fountain

Painted metal bikerack, bicycle form

01

05

02

06

03

04


FURNITURE THEMES: BOLLARDS, BICYCLE RACKS, DRINK FOUNTAINS, TREE GRATES, SCREENS, BARRIERS, FENCES & RAILINGSCont/..

08

09

10

11

12

13

14

15

07 Painted metal SHS tube bikerack, square form

Lasercut steel plate cycle rack

Lasercut steel plate tree grate

Lasercut patterned metal tree grate

Irregular shaped plate steel tree grate

Cast aluminium circular tree grate

Recycled timber frame with climbers

Forged metal ornamental barrier rail / gate

Laser cut patterned plate linished metal screen

09

13

10

14

07 08

11 12

15


01

02

03

04

05

06

Timber clad post with cantilevered sign panel

Wayfinding sign panel

Creative identity / interpretive signage element

Creative forged metal street directional signage

Post mounted wayfinding signage system

Wayfinding map panel

01

05

02

06

03

04

SIGNAGE AND LIGHTING

Signage

An overall signage strategy / style guide is required for the Town Centre to consider all types of signage including wayfinding, information, regulatory and interpretive signage. Signage should use universally recognised symbols and adopt particular colours dependant upon purpose. Wayfinding signage should focus on getting private vehicles to parking areas and pedestrians to amenities, parks, shopping areas and key services. There is room for creative approaches and to integrate artwork into signage elements. Signage should be robust and vandal resistant. Reverse-printed polycarbonate is an option that should be considered to reduce vandalism and ongoing costs.

Lighting

Quality lighting of heritage building facades and colourful or patterned lighting effects on paving could be used to enhance night time vibrancy and interest.


SIGNAGE AND LIGHTINGCont/..

Lighting should be applied creatively throughout the Town Centre to enhance night time ambience, wayfinding and safety. In particular decorative lighting should focus on areas selected for specific night time activities. The street lighting system should minimise clutter and highlight significant buildings and spaces such as Mary Street and Smithfield Street. Decorative lighting and lighting effects could be employed in main spaces such as decorative lighting on street trees in Mary Street, lighting of heritage building facades and colourful or patterned lighting effects on paving to enhance vibrancy.

Initially it is recommended that any decorative lighting solution be focussed around the Gold City Centre Stage and the intersection of Smithfield and Mary Streets.

08

09

10

11

12

13

14

15

07 “FreeStreet” Philips catenary lighting system (detail)

“FreeStreet” system utilised in plaza space

Creative lighting effects to highlight building facades

Post top lighting used to meet standard and create artictic visual effects on ground plane

Specialised post top luminaire to create facade and ground plain effects

Fairy lighting selectively applied to tree trunk and main branches

Fairy lighting and tree decoration

Gobo projections onto paving

Lighting projections

09

13

10

14

07 08

11 12

15


01

02

03

04

05

06

07

08

09

Park shelter with distinctive rolled roof line and form

Colourful shelter using coloured glass walling

Semi-enclosed pavilion creates sense of refuge

Nedlands timber bus stop created by architecture students

Front view of Nedlands timber bus stop

Innovative timber framed bus shelter

Open and airy parkland pavilion incorporating suspended artwork

Architectural bus shelter with metal frame and timber battens

Park picnic and bbq shelter provides link to local vernacular architecture

01

05

08

02

06

09

03

04

07

SHELTER STRUCTURES

Shelters

Site specific design of shelter structures such as bus stops, park picnic and bbq shelters and toilet blocks provide a way of introducing innovative, eye-catching and functional small-scale architecture that can improve the amenity and distinctiveness of the Town Centre.

Use of timber in such structures would provide a tangible link to the heritage and natural features of the region. Well-considered use of timber would also provide an example of how sustainably managed timber can be successfully used to construct public structures and provide the longevity required to withstand both general wear and tear, and vandalism.

Small structures that are well designed and considerate of purpose, human scale, comfort, microclimate and orientation would be a positive addition to the town centre. Shelters could also be a way of introducing colour, fun and vibrancy to the Town Centre through one-off structures designed collaboratively by architects or landscape architects in collaboration with local artists.


SUGGESTED COLOUR PALETTE

Natural colours reflecting the colours of the Gympie Region should be used, predominantly golden hues and fresh leaf green colours.

A palette of colours has been selected based upon natural and man-made elements from the Gympie townscape and region. This palette should be considered for use on any painted or coloured elements in the Town Centre. The palette also includes colours used in the adopted Town Centre logo.

Neutral colours have also been included as they will be need to be used in various situations so to avoid chaotic colour schemes. Colours should be carefully selected by artists or designers trained in the use of colour on a site by site basis with consideration of context and desired design intent.

Marbaroda BR29-019-044

Triple ParchmentY75-027-079

DawnbreakerR44-074-036

Chilean FireO63-162-052

Wild ThingY87-145-086

MagnoliaN94-007-307

CitronG64-120-102

GallianoY75-169-081

HypnoticG88-080-108

Half GravelN48-007-109

GYMPIE TOWN CENTREColours are per Resene Paints

Marbaroda BR29-019-044

Triple ParchmentY75-027-079

DawnbreakerR44-074-036

Chilean FireO63-162-052

Wild ThingY87-145-086

MagnoliaN94-007-307

CitronG64-120-102

GallianoY75-169-081

HypnoticG88-080-108

Half GravelN48-007-109

GYMPIE TOWN CENTREColours are per Resene Paints


PUBLIC ART AND CREATIVE ELEMENTS

A public art strategy needs to be developed to identify appropriate narratives, curatorial issues, locations and to ensure public artwork placement and forms complements the wayfinding elements of the signage strategy.

There is lots of potential inspiration for artwork from local stories, heritage, industry, regional legends and the environment. There is also range of spaces and precincts in the Town Centre with unique opportunities in each. Particular focus should be on areas identified for renewal such as upper Mary Street and Smithfield Street.

The strategy should aim for a range of media, forms, colour and applications throughout the Town Centre to create interest, identity and sense of place. Imagery to provide guidance of suitable forms are shown opposite:

01

05

02

06

03

04

01

02

03

04

05

06

Locally inspired artwork elements in garden area with Colour change lighting.

Heritage elements could provide inspiration for artwork elements eg. Gympie Cornish Boiler

Cast bronze artwork

Cast aluminium artwork plates

Suspended artwork elements on a catenary system

Suspended artwork lighting elements


PUBLIC ART AND CREATIVE ELEMENTSCont/..

09

10

13

07 08

11 12

14 15

08

09

10

11

12

13

14

15

07 Artwork panels with literary prose

Colourful contemporary artwork elements adding nighttime drama

Totem elements in parkland

Cast concrete with woven fabric relief pattern

Totem poles with indigenous references

Inlaid pavement LED lighting

Cast aluminium screen panels with local imagery

Lightweight structures in organic forms

Lightweight structure overhead screen creates interesting shadow patterns


SUGGESTED PLANTING PALETTE: TREES AND PALMS

Recommendations:

1. Gradual replacement of Leopard Trees and Golden Rain Trees in Mary Street using the following street tree options:

• Flindersia brayleana • Syzygium tierneyanum • Waterhousia floribunda “Sweeper” • Xanthostemon chrysanthus

2. Inclusion of a selection of the above Street Trees in upper Mary Street

3. Consider palette for any new tree plantings within the Town Centre including at the proposed transit centre and in recreational spaces

4. Consideration of heritage value and significance on case by case basis for any tree replacement in Memorial Park. Species selections beyond this palette may be required. It is recommended that this issue be dealt with as part of any Conservation Management Plan that is developed and adopted for Memorial Park

01

07

02

08

03 04

05 06

5.2 SOFTSCAPE PALETTE


SUGGESTED PLANTING PALETTE: TREES AND PALMSCont/..

Species Name Common Name Image

Acmena hemilamphra Blush SatinashAlloxylon flammeum QLD Tree WaratahAraucaria cunninghamiana Hoop PineBackhousia citriodora Lemon MyrtleBackhousia myrtifolia Grey MyrtleBrachychiton acerifolius Flame TreeBrachychiton discolor Lacebark TreeElaeocarpus eumundii Eumundi QuandongFicus hillii Hills FigFlindersia brayleana Queensland MapleFlindersia schottiana Bumpy AshGmelina leichhardtii White BeechGrevillea baileyana White OakLivistona australis Cabbage PalmRandia fitzalanii Native GardeniaSyzygium oleosum Blue Lilly PillySyzygium tierneyanum River CherryTristania laurina “ Luscious” Water GumWaterhousia floribunda “Sweeper” Weeping Lilly PillyXanthostemon chrysanthus Golden Penda

01

02

03

04

07

06

08

09

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

05

1209 10 11

13 14 15 16


SUGGESTED PLANTING PALETTE: SHRUBS AND GROUNDCOVERS

Recommendations:

• softer garden feel throughout • less formal clipping and hedging of plants• incorporate planter beds with shrub and groundcover planting in lower

Mary Street and in streetscapes and other areas being upgraded where space allows for their inclusion

• gradual replacement of weed species such as Duranta “Sheena’s Gold” and Murraya paniculata

• automatic irrigation is to be included in any new and renocated planter beds

• lower areas of Gympie CBD can be affected by severe frost and this needs to be considered in planting design for Memorial Park, Nelson Reserve and surrounding streetscapes.

The suggested planting palette is scheduled below. Whilst the selection is broad and should cover most requirements, refinement of the palette may be necessary when slecting species for specific areas.

Species Name Common Name ImageAcalypha reptans “Summer Love” Dwarf ChenilleAcmena “Allyn Magic” Allyn Magic Austromyrtus “Blushing Beauty” Blushing BeautyBromeliad varieties BromeliadCallistemon “Great Balls of Fire” Great Balls of FireCallistemon “Little John” Little JohnCissus “Ellen Danika” Grape IvyGardenia radicans Dwarf GardeniaHemerocallis hybrids Day LilyHymenocallis species Spider LilyIxora “Gold Fire” Gold FireIxora “Pink Malay” Pink Malay

01

02

03

04

05

06

07

08

01

05

02

06

03

04

07 08 09


SUGGESTED PLANTING PALETTE: SHRUBS AND GROUNDCOVERSCont/..

Species Name Common Name ImageIxora “Sunkist” SunkistLiriope “Evergreen Giant” Evergreen GiantLiriope muscari LiriopeLomandra hystrix Green Mat RushLomandra “Shara” SharaLoropetalum “Razzleberry” Razzle BerryMelaleuca “Claret Tops” Claret TopsMetrosideros “Fiji Fire” Fiji FireMyoporum ellipticum Mangrove BoobiallaMyoporum parvifolium Creeping BoobiallaNandina “Gulf Stream” Sacred BambooPandorea “Southern Belle” Bower VinePhotinia glabra Small Leaf PhotiniaRusselia equisetiformis Coral FountainScaevola “Purple Fanfare” Fairy Fan FlowerSyzygium “Aussie Compact” Aussie Compact Lilly PillySyzygium “Baby Boomer” Baby Boomer Lilly PillySyzygium “Cascade” Cascade Lilly PillySyzygium “Tiny Trev” Tiny Trev Lilly PillyTrachelospermum “Tri Colour” Variegated Star JasmineViburnum species ViburnumViola hederacea Native VioletWestringea “Grey Box” Grey BoxWestringea “Zena” Dwarf WestringeaXanthostemon “Little Penda” Little Penda

09

10

11

12

13

14

17

15

16

18

13

10

1514

11 12

1716 18


APPENDIX A: EXISTING MATERIALS AND FURNISHINGS

EXISTING PEDESTRIAN PAVING

The predominant pedestrian paving material in Mary Street from Monkland Street to the Five Ways is red-brown clay pavers laid in a herringbone pattern with a soldier course header (refer and ). These were installed in the mid to late 1980’s with the original Mary Street streetscape upgrade. These are generally wearing well and provide a serviceable and suitable walking surface. One of the advantages of unit paving is that they can be readily taken up and replaced to work on underground services etc.

The extent of use of these pavers is however somewhat monotonous with little variety in treatment. The pavers are of their time and whilst they don’t protray a contemporary style they are not unsuited to the character of the street and could be integrated into a more contemporary materials palette through selection of complementary materials and colours to break down expanses of single colour clay pavers.

01 09

01

05

02

06

03 04

07 08


EXISTING PEDESTRIAN PAVING Cont/..

There is an adhoc range of other paving materials used throughout the Town Centre. These are of various ages and condition and whilst the selections in themselves are not inappropriate they do not contribute to a cohesive palette and character. Other paving surfaces include:

• square unit pavers with concrete edging (Memorial Park)

• clay pavers in basketweave pattern (Memorial Park Rotunda)

• plain concrete, broom finish (various locations)

• coloured concrete, broom finish (Monkland/Barter Street Intersection)

• honed coloured concrete (Monkland/Barter Street Intersection)

• exposed aggregate concrete (various colours, aggregates)

• stencilled concrete (Jaycee Way / River Street)

• asphalt bitumen (Smithfield Street, upper Mary Street)

• painted asphalt to designate pedestrian crossing points

Tactile Surface Indicators (TGSI’s) are also not applied in a consistent way in Mary Street with warning indicators generally being of a surface stick-on rubber pad type in a variety of colours: red, red and white stripes, yellow and blue. Kerb ramps are generally constructed from plain concrete. Painted steel or aluminium checkerplate is also used in some locations to bridge kerb and channel. Service pits and access lids are usually not well integrated or visually concealed in paving areas with lids of various materials and colours used throughout the Town Centre. Past repair of underground services is also evident with sawcut and patch repairs particularly in areas of in-situ poured concrete paving.

05

13

06 10 14

03

04

07

07

08

11

11

15

16

09

13

10

14

11 12

15 16


EXISTING STREET AND PARK FURNITURE

BENCH SEATING & TABLE SETTINGS

Mary Street: the cast iron and timber slat bench seating installed in the 1980’s streetscape upgrade still exists in various locations throughout the Town Centre . These appear to have been recently repainted and renovated and most are in good repair with a heritage type character. These benches have backrests and armrests but are not adjustable for street grades to create a level seating surface and have been propped up by concrete plinths in some instances which looks an afterthought .

More recently at the RSL frontage and in various locations in Mary Street aluminium seating has been installed . These have backrests and sometimes armrests. The legs have been adjusted to cope with street levels to create flat seating surfaces. Some of these have a timber grain reproduction finish and some are silver anodised finish. They are of the same style and by the same supplier. Other types of seats include carved timber slab seating donated by the Gympie and District Wood Workers Club . There are also concrete based seat wall type seating benches incorporated into the Gold City Centre area with marble stone and timber slat tops . There is also another style of free standing bench seat of timber slat and cast aluminium leg construction located here.

Memorial Park: in this park there is yet another style of aluminium bench seating with anodised and powdercoated coloured finishes . Some benches are green in colour and some a blue colour by same supplier. The blue benches have skate board deterrents installed on the leading edge of the seat surface.There are also table settings installed in Memorial Park and these are of aluminium construction albeit with green legs and silver anodised tops .

01

05

09

02

02

10

03 04

07

11

01

05

02

06

03 04

07 08


EXISTING STREET AND PARK FURNITURECont/..

BENCH SEATING & TABLE SETTINGS

Nelson Reserve: in this open space area there are blue anodised aluminium bench seats installed with and without backrests / armrests . There are 3 different styles of table settings including including an anodised aluminium type and two different galvanised steel and painted timber slat types.

LITTER BINS

In Mary Street there are green powdercoated cast aluminium “heritage” style bins in various locations , these types of bin enclosures take a standard sized dustbin. This type of bin enclosure has generally been superceded by other local authorities as they require frequent emptying.

Elsewhere in the Town Centre there are standard 240 litre wheelie-bins on locking posts and also anodised aluminium enclosures that house 240 litre wheelie-bins. Memorial Park seems to have the anodised aluminium enclosures and both types are located in Nelson Reserve. Litter bins to take recyclables are not installed anywhere in the Town Centre.

13

14

08

15

16

09

13

10

14

11 12

15 16


01

05

02

06

03 04

07 08

EXISTING STREET AND PARK FURNITURE

BARRIER RAILS, FENCES AND BOLLARDS

In Mary Street bollards are typically a cast aluminium and powdercoated type with other simpler tube post style used in areas like Memorial Lane. There is a mxture of hardwood timber, treated pine log, unpainted galvanised steel and painted steel bollards in Nelson Reserve . A variety of barrier rails are installed throughout the Town Centre with no consistent detail used throughout .

The recently completed roundabout works at the Monkland Street / Jaycee Way and Barter Street intersection incorporates a unique style of timber bollards and timber posts and painted metal rail barriers. The timber uprights have routed and painted sections on them . Whilst they add colour and vibrancy to the roundabout surrounds they are not consistent with bollards used elsewhere in the Nelson Reserve precinct.

There is also a range of barrier fence styles used in the Town Centre generally with vertical pickets on rails. A variety of colours and degrees of ornateness are also evident throughout the Town Centre particularly when you include some of the older privately owned buildings.

TREE GRATES

There are two styles of tree grate used in Mary Street. There is an unpainted metal type installed as part of the original streetscape upgrade project as well as a different cast aluminium, powdercoated type used in the raised planters to surround fig trees at the Gold City Centre Stage area .

01

05

09

02

10

03

04

04

07 08

11

12


09

13

10

14

11 12

15 16

EXISTING STREET AND PARK FURNITURECont/..

DRINK FOUNTAINS

There appears to be an undersupply of drinking fountains in the Town Centre. Generally there is an older style used in Mary Street and Memorial Park which would not meet current Disability Discrimination Act standards. There is a more contemporary blue coloured drinking fountain installed in Nelson Reserve near the existing play and picnic space.

BICYCLE RACKS

Bicycle racks are not widely located in the Town Centre and where they are installed they are of a type that is not generally sold or used any longer due to potential for rim buckling. In Mary Street the bicycle racks are painted an unsympathetic yellow , perhaps due to their height they are seen as a potential hazard for visually impaired people. There is one located in the Council carpark on the corner of Channon Street and Mary Street however it is a little isolated from the street itself and doesn’t appear to be well used .

13

14

15

16


01

05

02

06

03 04

07 08

EXISTING MATERIALS, DETAILING AND PUBLIC ART

WALLING

As would be expected there is a range of walling types used throughout the Town Centre particularly when public and private buildings of various ages are considered.

In the public realm these generally all add a richness to the precinct particularly where they are well detailed and executed. Materials and finishes include:

• clay brick walling

• sandstone boulder walling

• coloured concrete block (splitface and smooth face)

• irregular stone walling (grouted and ungrouted)

• painted render finish

• interesting painted breezeblock at Memorial Pool building

• curved river rock walling recently constructed at the Barter Street and Monkland roundbout

01

05

05

06

03

04

07

08


09

13

10

14

11 12

15 16

EXISTING MATERIALS, DETAILING AND PUBLIC ARTCont/..

HERITAGE DETAILING

There is a range of heritage items in the Town Centre that add richness, personalisation and variety to the precinct. Some of these elements are depicted opposite. Often these elements include facade details of privately owned buildings.

PUBLIC ART

Creative and artistic elements are not in abundance within the Town Centre however there are some well executed examples of fired ceramic mosaic work particularly in Memorial Lane and at the Gold City Centre Stage .

Other artwork in the Town Centre includes mural work on the sewer pump station tank in the corner of Nelson Reserve .

The recently constructed timber pole landscape treatment in the roundabout island at Barter / Monkland intersection were not created by an artist but have a creative flavour, although the intent and local reference for this outcome is unclear.

09

13

10

14

11 12

15

16


01

05

02

06

03 04

07 08

SIGNAGE, LIGHTING AND STRUCTURES

SIGNAGE

There is a range of signage types within the Town Centre including regulatory / safety, information, wayfinding and interpretive signage. As would be expected in a precinct that has evolved over time there is a range of styles and types of signage. There is an overall lack of wayfinding signage particularly from parking areas beyond Mary Street.

Regulatory signage including parking signage should be better coordinated and considered and is worthy of concerted effort and attention. The parking study undertaken as part of this project found that some regulatory / information parking signage was ambiguous.

There is a well executed and researched series of heritage trail signs however these could be better linked by way of an overview map or trail guidance. Information signage in Memorial Lane is quite well executed and consistent and complements the artwork mosaic work to communicate facts about Australia’s involvement in past wars .

There are a numer of banner poles located in Mary Street and Smithfield Street that are not consistently utilised to advertise events or promote the Town Centre generally. There are also banner hangers on some of the streelight poles located in Mary Street. Banners were not flying on most of these at the time of the site visit . Park identity signage is generally consistent being of a standard type, although is somewhat unsophisticated in such a Town Centre setting and is more suited to suburban parks.

01

05

13

02

04

07


09

13

10

14

11 12

15 16

SIGNAGE, LIGHTING AND STRUCTURESCont/..

LIGHTING

There is no consistent approach to lighting within the Town Centre and generally the fixtures and poles are dated and non-descript . Overhead lighting in Mary Street appears to consist of Energex / Ergon standard poles and fittings, most fixtures would still be Rate 1 or Rate 2. Overhead lighting in upper Mary Street is mounted onto the overhead power poles. Lighting in Memorial Lane includes redundant heritage light fixtures which could be ressurected, and plain white globe fixtures at the ANZAC flame . Overall there is potential to be much more creative and sophisticated with an approach to lighting design in the Town Centre. This would assist in making the place more attractive, safer and enticing at night.

STRUCTURES

There is a variety of structures in the Town Centre including the beautiful heritage listed Memorial Bandstand . There are interesting cantilevered shelter structures at Gold City Centre Stage . More modest structures include picnic shade structures of various ages located in Nelson Reserve. The Memorial Park Fernery Building, Nelson Reserve Stage and Memorial Pool structures are the largest public structures located on public land in the Town Centre.

09 13

10

14

11

12

1516


01

05

02

06

03 04

07 08

EXISTING PLANTING PALETTE: TREES AND PALMS

The Gympie Town Centre is blessed to have many mature trees that are well utilised in Mary Street, adjacent streets and open space areas. Memorial Park has an arboretum-like character with a range of native and exotic tree and palm species growing in close proximity to one another.

The trees contribute greatly to the appeal of this park. Nelson Reserve also has some wonderful large shade trees that are well suited to such a parkland setting, providing excellent shade for play spaces and picnic areas. The one-way section of Mary Street has an attractive leafy character owing to the mature Leopard and Golden Rain trees.

There are some large weeping figs planted at the Gold City Centre Stage area in the middle of Mary Street which provide excellent shade and cooling microclimate in summer. In contrast some areas of the Town Centre have a distinct lack of street trees such as Smithfield Street and Upper Mary Street.

During consultation many people commented upon the leafy character and attractiveness of Mary Street. Others have commented on the problem of seed-pod drop from the Leopard trees causing minor damage to cars. There was also comment about leaf litter collecting in building gutters causing the need for constant cleaning out.

There has been some replacement of these two main street tree species in some locations along Mary Street with Weeping Lilly Pilly, Tulipwood and Eumundi Quandong. These are only just becoming established and time will tell as to their suitability.


09

13

10

14

11 12

15 16

EXISTING PLANTING PALETTE: TREES AND PALMSCont/..

LIST OF MAJOR EXISTING TREES (Not Exhaustive)

Agathis robusta Kauri Pine

Araucaria species PinesBrachychiton acerifolius Flame TreeBrachychiton discolor Lacebark TreeCaesalpinnea ferrea Leopard TreeCallitris species Cyprus PineCastanospermum australe Black BeanDelonix regia PoincianaElaeocarpus eumundii Eumundi QuandongEucalyptus species Gum TreesFlindersia species AshFicus species FigGmelina leichhardtii White BeechGrevillea robusta Silky OakHarpullia pendula TulipwoodHibiscus tiliaceus Cotton TreeJacaranda mimosifolia JacarandaKoelreuteria paniculata Golden Rain TreeLivistona australis Cabbage PalmSyragrus romanzoffiana Cocos PalmWaterhousia floribunda Weeping Lilly Pilly

08

03

15

02 10

13 14

07

13

01

12

1011

16

04


01

05

02

06

03 04

07 08

EXISTING PLANTING PALETTE: SHRUBS AND GROUNDCOVERS

The Gympie Town Centre has a range of predominantly exotic hardy plant species used throughout with some consistency in hedging plants particularly in streetscapes. Mary Street itself is somewhat lacking in planting other than street trees, lending a slightly hard look to the street at pavement level.

Recent streetscape works at the Jaycee Way, Barter Street, Monkland Street roundabout have introduced a variety of new plant varieties that are not consistant with the existing planting palette in the Town Centre.

The most visually dominant plant would have to be Duranta “Sheena’s Gold” used as a clipped hedge. Duranta is very hardy and colourful but is classified as an environmental weed.


09

13

10

14

11 12

15 16

EXISTING PLANTING PALETTE: SHRUBS AND GROUNDCOVERSCont/..

LIST OF PREDOMINANT PLANT SPECIES (Not Exhaustive)

Species Common Name ImageAlpinia zerumbet variegata Shell GingerAlternanthera species JoyweedBougainvillea species BougainvilleaBromeliads BromeliadCallistemon Little John Little JohnCycas revoluta CycadDietes species Wild IrisDuranta “Sheena’s Gold” Sheena’s GoldGaura lindheimeri Bee BlossumGazania rigens GazaniaHibiscus rosa-sinensis HibiscusIxora species West Indian JasmineLiriope species LiriopeLomandra species Mat RushLoropetalum “Razzleberry” Razzle BerryMagnolia species MagnoliaMandevilla species MandevillaMurraya paniculata Mock OrangePhotinia species PhotiniaRosa species RoseRusselia equisetiformis Coral FountainScaevola aemula Fairy Fan FlowerStrelitzia reginae Bird of ParadiseSyzygium species Lilly PillyViburnum species Viburnum

01

01

02

03

07

14

06

06

16

11

07

09

09

05

01

12

12

13

13


GYMPIE TOWN CENTRE | FURNITURE SUITEYB004-S | Platform Bench /Single

STREET & GARDEN FURNITURE COMPANY © 2014

01

04

07 08 09

02

05

03

06

APPENDIX B: RECOMMENDED PRODUCTSFURNITURE THEMES: SEATING, TABLES, DRINK FOUNTAIN, BINSSTANDARD RANGE RECOMMENDATION

The range of furniture illustrated on the right is recommended as a suitable range of standard furniture items for the Gympie Town Centre.

The range is cost-effective, has a robust construction and elegant design.In terms of an appropriate character, look and feel we would recommend use of timber in the hardwood surfaces if used in Principal Street locations. Slats are interchangeable with HDPE which would be suitable for lower order streets and in recreation space.

The base and frame could either be manufactured from galvanised steel with a powdercoated coloured finish or aluminium with an anodised coloured finish

01

02

03

04

05

06

07

08

09

Picnic table setting, hardwood timber, powdercoated galvanised steel frame (S&G YB002)

Picnic table setting - detail (S&G YB002)

Double platform bench (S&G YB004-D)

Bench seat with backrest (S&G YB003)

Litter bin enclosure 240litre, standard and recycle type (S&G YB Bin)

Platform Bench (S&G YB004-S)

Picnic table setting (S&G YB002)

Backless bench seat (S&G YB001)

Delta Water Station: Galvanised Mild Steel Body w/- Brushed Stainless Steel water dish, handle and bubbler mechanism (S&G DELTA). Outer body can be powdercoated in suitable colour to suit Gympie Town Centre.

| 41

Date post:	05-Jun-2018
Category:	Documents
Upload:	buithu
View:	226 times
Download:	0 times

Gympie Town Centre Streetscape and Urban Design Palette · VERSION V07 Gympie Town Centre...

Documents