Williamstown Foreshore Strategic Plan 2010 - Parks Victoria

5.2.2 Gem Pier – HMAS CastlemaineGem Pier forms part of a key destination in Williamstown,for both residents and tourists. Many boating activities occuraround the Pier, which create congestion and unsafe boatingconditions.The Castlemaine has been located at Gem Pier since 1975.Whilst the ship provides an important point of interest anddestination on Gem Pier, the congestion experienced onthe water and the issue of interrupted sightlines for vesselsapproaching the Pier, warrants a review of the location of theCastlemaine. Strategic Plan 2000 suggested its relocation to theWilliamstown Seaworks site, which may be a possibility in thelonger term.A potential site for relocation of the vessel to the opposite sideof the Pier has been recommended in the Vessel Traffic Proposaloutlined above.5.2.3 Club redevelopmentWhilst several Clubs have expressed a desire to expand landand/or water based facilities, the Vessel Traffic Proposal providesfor only the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria to consider a minormarina expansion (in terms of an enlarged water based area).It is acknowledged that other Clubs may decide to renew/replace aging infrastructure, which could subsequently lead toincreased capacity through improved design and efficiency.The Master Plan provides an indication of sites that arecurrently undergoing change or may have potential for landsideredevelopment. Whilst proposals will need to be assessedon a case by case basis, any opportunity to activate streetfrontages and integrate the foreshore to Nelson Place should beencouraged.The assessment of any future marina expansion orredevelopment of sites within the Master Plan area must haveregard to traffic management and parking impacts within andoff site. Any additional parking required to service the proposedredevelopment will need to be accommodated on site.5.2.4 Co-location of facilitiesThe Williamstown Sea Scouts is located adjacent to theWilliamstown Sailing Club. The Sea Scouts’ facilities aredisconnected, with the Hall to the north of the Sailing Cluband the boat storage facility to the south. The opportunity tocombine the Sea Scouts’ facilities into a multi purpose buildingshould be investigated, particularly when the time comes toupgrade either of these two Clubs or the nearby public toiletblock. Any redevelopment proposals should consider theexisting conflict point referred to in the Revised Strategic Planbetween cars and pedestrians/cyclists using the shared path inthis location (if the situation has not been resolved prior to theco-location opportunity).5.2.5 Shared path along foreshoreA major challenge within this Precinct is achieving improvedforeshore access via the establishment of a shared pathalong the front of the buildings on either side ofCommonwealth Reserve.It is anticipated that within five years, the first stage of the pathwould be established on the south side of Gem Pier, as partof a redevelopment of the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria andWilliamstown Seaworks site. The next stage (within 5-10 years)would focus on the Knights Slipway site and the Hobsons BayYacht Club foreshore frontage, providing a link to FergusonStreet Pier.The last stage of the shared path, which is expected to beestablished beyond the ten year timeframe of this Master Plan,would provide a link in front of the Clubs between the KnightsSlipway site and Commonwealth Reserve. This stage would alsosee public access along Workshops Jetty.The Master Plan outlines the possible route for the path,together with the likely staging plan.39