As a city with a number of musical, radio, player and choral
groups, the long and high bank of land facing north to the lake lends itself to
the creation of a number of somewhat
sheltered natural amphitheatre type spots for concerts, weddings and plays.
A great atmosphere too can be created by
sitting on grass on warm evenings facing north with a confined focus where one
can hear.
This proposal recommends you include
these structures in the plan, especially a couple close to the garden café
area.
As a member of several of the above named groups, I have been involved in quite
a large number of performances in the gardens over a number of years. Such
occasions, like those involving bands or choirs have often been greatly limited
by the poor acoustic characteristics of the flat ground areas. The need is
there, therefore for better confined sound shell areas. These are easily
provided for by soundly planned cut and fill operations on the midslope areas.
The potential of these attractive areas is currently underutilized due to the
lack of easy access to them-- something that should be provided for as part of
the construction process. Local stone
also increasingly featured in walls.
These earthworks would add significantly to the opportunity
of small groups to perform without amplification. I have been involved in a
variety of outdoor performances and can
tell you the need for somewhere where one can more easily hear what’s going on is great especially when it can be
provided at low cost as these largely earthworks based features would be.
While such a venue
could be placed in a variety of places this proposal is to capitalize on the
existing attraction of an area nearest the highest bank, the cafe, and great
garden areas nearby . The largest of
these areas (EF) could be developed as the lowest with great potential reaching
an audience as far back as the gardens. While no sound shell is implied in the
creation of AB CD or EF, at this stage this would make sense in a location like
EF as well.
Excavated fill areas across the midslopes would be enhanced by walls and seats
using the local limestones, basalts and classic rock stone wall types in the area.
Notice how the attractive midslope areas (opposite) could be
better appreciated by easier and reasoned access to it and less overstorey
cover. This is the recommended CD site.
Additional structural works above ground works (eg A sound
shell) could be inspired by the growing use of such areas and considered as a
long term need as part of this plan.
This submission is simply to ensure you
put some sound outdoor theatre locations in the plan.
The proposed excavations are small simple ones utilising the great northerly
slopes that already exist below the gardens.
AB,CD and EF are largely earthworks derived cones as shown. The basic cost is low because the topsoil
would be saved and respread to cover the
site with mow able grass on most of the site. Seating in the lowest/steep
areas is chieved by large cut stone and
placing with the excavator. Proper drainage design will allow water to drain
with minimal erosion and maintenance. Current cross slope varies from 25%- 35%.
Higher slopes will limit size of grassed area in the situation.
This is a cross section of current area AB -----near the
café
An excavator would quickly
save the topsoil, lower and shape the centre, place the cut rock block rock
elements and help compact the fill and access area below. ( Approx 16m wide - more detail can be provided
)
An oblique view
Feasibility—high cost benefit of
earthworks planning
As an earthworks planner, I am
confident that the works could be carried out by local contractors at a very
reasonable cost . Because of the high cost benefit of well planned earthworks across
the plans 10 zones there are other areas
that could be looked at more closely ( eg Northern end of Armstrong and in
providing a low cost entry for wheelchair persons at Stodart street west ) with
a view to more extensive earthworks to make
access to the lower areas easier. Eg Avoiding the very high costs of
access off
Balnagowan
avenue.
There must also be a case for making the existing high spot north of the Catholic
school an even higher or clearer open effective wow point for visitors
in vehicles . ( in same way end of Grant street is ) The carpark opposite the
café would benefit from being levelled. The fill from there could easily be
transferred to the existing carpark below (EF) to make them both flatter and
more effective and easier to maintain as car parks.
Why the works should be included
1, Practical and
needed creative arts focus
2. Patterned like the amphitheatre at
Red rock ---only more usable
3. Highly cost effective and low risk for children
4. Adds to the existing great features of the area –
The area around the garden café and the secondary regrowth on slopes below
could be replanted into a much more attractive
and functional areas. Currently full of
overmature pines and wattles which need replacing. Lowering and levelling the area opposite the
café where cars park and replacing/widening the access down to the rotunda with
a mixture of both open and closed landscape elements to highlight the
attractiveness of the lake and hills for visitors.; adding open elements
distracts attention from the buildings .These new grassed areas would provide a
link element to midslope use with new elements of across slope access created
to access the bowl shaped areas and the gardens beyond.
As these photos show ,these
midslope elements are underutilised and underappreciated because the paths to
them currently are too steep. Some lower
slope path entries can be provided . The attractiveness of the treed midslopes
could be enhanced by having more areas where there is largely only groundcovers
and where landscape view is wide as it is at the end of Grant street. There is insufficient areas of that diversity
of view in eastern end of zone 4 and in zone 5 with many of the existing trees over
mature and in need of replacement or removal. The need to open up the view in
certain places must be part of the commitment in the plan as passing vehicle
traffic is a major selling point for further engagement.
5. Fits in with carparking and needed access changes The transfer of earth is not expensive if
incorporated into the planning of carparks
and improved outlook entrances ( sorely needed at the north end of Gellibrand
street ) The photo shows how a larger
redevelopment could occur adjacent to
lower car park ( can the existing
building be changed /removed ?)
Access to midslope and landscape diversity elements are inadequate. Access to these midslope walks will be
possible (not popular now) if sound shell spots are created.
Key Actions
1.
Incorporate landscape appreciation elements on the highest
edges of the gardens and Queen’s street
2.
Implement wide ranging earthworks planning
process as part of the plan. A little more height and openness in the right
place can add significantly to the amenity of a landscape.
3.
Create open bowl outdoor sitting areas with engaging
landscapes of soft stone ,stonewall fences , music appreciation plaques ( eg Band
leaders ,Radcliffe, Wheeler) sites AB,CD
EF
4.
Identify trees for removal or replacement. esp
pines and wattles
5.
Plan rock support structures using proper recreations
of stone fences and use local limestone
to create benches for some theatre elements
(mostly grass)
6.
( long term – 5yrs and beyond) Plan and design a
sound shell for the largest of the reformed areas area east of the existing
rotunda. Site EF
