Williamstown Foreshore Strategic Plan 2010 - Parks Victoria

Pedestrian/Bicycle LinksHeading south from this Precinct, public access to the foreshorebecomes increasingly restricted, with Commonwealth Reserveand Gem Pier providing the key opportunity between FergusonStreet Pier and Point Gellibrand Coastal Heritage Park. Furtherdetail on the proposed shared path along the foreshore isprovided in the Williamstown Centre Master Plan.There are two areas of conflict in relation to the existing sharedpath in this Precinct that require attention. The first occursat the roundabout where Ferguson Street meets The Strandand the path becomes quite narrow adjoining the HobsonsBay Yacht Club. Works are currently underway to resolve thisconflict point and should be completed by mid 2010.Another conflict point is present at the Williamstown SailingClub and Williamstown Sea Scouts, where cars cross the sharedpath to access parking in this area.Commonwealth ReserveCommonwealth Reserve is a significant location for events. TheCommonwealth Reserve Landscape Master Plan (prepared in1995 and revised in 2002) has generally been implemented andonly on-going maintenance and cleaning is proposed. Giventhe popularity of this Reserve and intensity of use, high levelsof maintenance and a regular program of street furniture/assetrenewal will be required.EnvironmentDredging generally takes place to maintain depth in existingports, marinas and channels in order to provide safe and clearpassage for commercial and recreation vessels or to create newor deeper access for vessels.Coastal Management Act Consent is required to undertakeany dredging activity and approval must be granted beforethis can occur. Applications are made to the Department ofSustainability and Environment and must be compliant withthe Best Practice Environment Management Guidelines forDredging developed by the Environment Protection Authority.As local port manager, Parks Victoria has the responsibility toprovide, develop and maintain navigation channels to publiclandings in the local port. Where there is restricted or exclusiveaccess, the tenant is responsible for maintaining access totheir facility. There are potential advantages for governmentagencies, yacht clubs and other tenants to cooperate inrelocating dredged material to common sites.Williamstown Seaworks SiteThe Williamstown Seaworks site presents a key opportunitywithin this Precinct to develop a tourism and recreation focalpoint that celebrates the maritime heritage of the area. TheWilliamstown Seaworks Site Strategic Development Plan thatis currently being prepared will guide the redevelopment ofthe site. See the Williamstown Centre Master Plan for furtherinformation regarding this site.3.5.4 Recommended actionsThe following actions are recommended for Precinct Four:• Undertake an assessment of key sites within Precinct Four toascertain the potential to provide additional public parkingspaces for cars and trailers.• Ensure that any future redevelopment proposals addressanticipated impacts, including on-site provision of anyadditional parking required.• Implement the redesigned shared path at The Strand/Ferguson Street roundabout.• Investigate opportunities to improve safety of the sharedpath in the vicinity of Williamstown Sailing Club andWilliamstown Sea Scouts.• Continue to maintain the facilities within CommonwealthReserve and undertake a regular program of asset renewal.• Initiate discussions between government agencies, yachtclubs and other tenants to explore options for relocation ofdredged material.Please refer to the Williamstown Centre Master Plan for moreinformation on the following items:• Vessel traffic management to improve congestion and safetyin the Bay, including a proposed fairways plan.• Potential locations to be included in any assessment seekingto increase parking capacity.• Potential for club redevelopment and co-location of facilities.• Proposed new shared path along the foreshore.• Knights Slipway site.• Williamstown Seaworks site.29