Victoria Esplanade and Kangaroo Bluff Landscape Plan Review

Consultation has concluded

Foreshore trail along Victoria Esplanade

Project Overview

We are currently reviewing our 2013 Victoria Esplanade and Kangaroo Bluff Landscape Plan to deliver a long-term strategic direction for the area (from Cambridge Rd (car park) to Chapman Street Bellerive).

The aim of this review is to:

  • Take into account the population growth and increased patronage of the area;
  • Consider the impacts of proposed developments around the foreshore; and
  • Incorporate current feedback from residents around, and users of, the area.

Project Information

In 2013 council adopted a landscape plan for Victoria Esplanade and Kangaroo Bluff (from Cambridge Rd (car park) to Chapman Street Bellerive). The purpose of the landscape plan was to enhance the function and amenity of both the landscapes and streetscapes of the 1.8km lineal foreshore.

See the Document Library for the 2013 Victoria Esplanade & Kangaroo Bluff Landscape Plan and for an area map for this review.

Council receives numerous enquiries relating to the 2013 landscape plan, regarding road safety, storm water management, maintenance, and lack of connectivity to the foreshore trail and water’s edge.

Key issues identified by council officers, and reviewed in partnership with executive members of the Bellerive Bluff Coast and Landscape Group include:

  • Many materials are inconsistent and unsuitable for use in public open space due to their poor durability and lack of longevity (i.e. timber edging and wire fencing), overall there is a lack of visual cohesion and connection;
  • There is no identifiable function or legibility within the landscape. Signage is outdated and lacks useful information for pedestrians and cyclists. In general, the space is uninviting;
  • Vegetation is too close to the shared path, it impinges on sight lines creating several ‘choke’ points along the path, increasing the risk of collision between cyclists and pedestrians;
  • Path levels, surface treatments and road connections limit access for all ages and abilities from the road to the shared path;
  • There is a lack of tree canopy for the length of the foreshore, and there is no replacement strategy to guide suitable tree planting for amenity, erosion protection and shade; and
  • A lack of stormwater runoff collection points, Water Sensitive Urban Design (*WSUD) or similar and road treatments has resulted in the increase of erosion along the road edge and mulch and gravel being washed onto the shared path.

In April 2019 aldermen passed a motion to undertake a review of the 2013 landscape plan and put a hold on all interim works until the review and public consultation is complete. The need to review the plan is driven by:

  • Increased patronage by local and visiting communities;
  • Population growth in Clarence and Greater Hobart;
  • Proposed developments at Kangaroo Bay, Queen Street Pier; and
  • Proposed ferry service from Bellerive.

As part of this review council is seeking feedback and suggestions from the community to help us develop the Victoria Esplanade and Kangaroo Bluff area into a significant foreshore destination, that offers unique waterside experiences for locals and visitors within a quality urban environment.

Council would like to thank the Bellerive Bluff Land and Coast Care Group who have worked tirelessly to improve the area prior to and after the adoption of the 2013 Landscape Plan.

Have Your Say

The engagement period for this project has now concluded.

Residents in the study area were notified of this consultation via letter.

There were a variety of ways we sought community feedback on this consultation:

  • By completing a short survey.
  • By sharing a story on their connection to Victoria Esplanade and Kangaroo Bluff (from Cambridge Road (car park) to Chapman Street Bellerive).
  • By dropping a pin on the map in 'PIN IT ON THE MAP' below, to show the areas they thought needed improvement, and on areas they love and would like to see better utilised.
  • By submitting their ideas for the plan.

Consultation Results

On Monday 2 December 2019 the results of the community consultation were delivered in an agenda report to council. A full report including trends and common themes within the consultation was presented.

Summary of feedback received:

  • People value the views, landscape, shared pathway and the connection to water along the esplanade.
  • Less favourable elements were the condition of the landscape, road and lack of seating and shade.
  • Many people feel car parking was adequate and water sensitive urban design would be good to incorporate into the streetscape/ landscape.
  • People would like to see the shared path widened, the vegetation set back from the path edge, better signage including interpretive signage relating to history, more shade and seating and a higher quality landscape with cohesive materials and plantings
  • Some respondents requested a better connection to Kangaroo Bluff Reserve to activate the space.

Consultation Outcome

Following completion of the consultation, council is now undertaking a 12-month open space planning and landscape design project. This will result in the development of a concept design for Victoria Esplanade, Queens Street and Cambridge Road, Bellerive.

The final vision is: ‘Victoria Esplanade will be a place of significance and celebration for all people.’

This will be achieved by engaging a lead landscape architect to work alongside council and the community as part of a co-design process. A community reference group will be established and consulted at key milestones within the development of the concept design to ensure desires identified in the 2019 consultation are considered and reflected in the concept design. Chief among them is:

  • Maximising engagement with views and the water’s edge.
  • Improving the shared path.
  • Creating spaces for relaxation.
  • Improving the quality of the urban fabric and soft landscape.

Additionally, the concept design will investigate road and traffic conditions, consider way-finding lighting and signage and develop Queens Street as a land-based link from Bellerive Village to Victoria Esplanade.

Investigations will be made into the ownership and possible future uses of the Regatta Pavilion and Starters Box. Council will explore the options to incorporate these buildings into the landscape and expand their function for greater public use.

Cultural and economic opportunities for the foreshore will also be explored to better activate the space and draw the river into the city heart.

Project Overview

We are currently reviewing our 2013 Victoria Esplanade and Kangaroo Bluff Landscape Plan to deliver a long-term strategic direction for the area (from Cambridge Rd (car park) to Chapman Street Bellerive).

The aim of this review is to:

  • Take into account the population growth and increased patronage of the area;
  • Consider the impacts of proposed developments around the foreshore; and
  • Incorporate current feedback from residents around, and users of, the area.

Project Information

In 2013 council adopted a landscape plan for Victoria Esplanade and Kangaroo Bluff (from Cambridge Rd (car park) to Chapman Street Bellerive). The purpose of the landscape plan was to enhance the function and amenity of both the landscapes and streetscapes of the 1.8km lineal foreshore.

See the Document Library for the 2013 Victoria Esplanade & Kangaroo Bluff Landscape Plan and for an area map for this review.

Council receives numerous enquiries relating to the 2013 landscape plan, regarding road safety, storm water management, maintenance, and lack of connectivity to the foreshore trail and water’s edge.

Key issues identified by council officers, and reviewed in partnership with executive members of the Bellerive Bluff Coast and Landscape Group include:

  • Many materials are inconsistent and unsuitable for use in public open space due to their poor durability and lack of longevity (i.e. timber edging and wire fencing), overall there is a lack of visual cohesion and connection;
  • There is no identifiable function or legibility within the landscape. Signage is outdated and lacks useful information for pedestrians and cyclists. In general, the space is uninviting;
  • Vegetation is too close to the shared path, it impinges on sight lines creating several ‘choke’ points along the path, increasing the risk of collision between cyclists and pedestrians;
  • Path levels, surface treatments and road connections limit access for all ages and abilities from the road to the shared path;
  • There is a lack of tree canopy for the length of the foreshore, and there is no replacement strategy to guide suitable tree planting for amenity, erosion protection and shade; and
  • A lack of stormwater runoff collection points, Water Sensitive Urban Design (*WSUD) or similar and road treatments has resulted in the increase of erosion along the road edge and mulch and gravel being washed onto the shared path.

In April 2019 aldermen passed a motion to undertake a review of the 2013 landscape plan and put a hold on all interim works until the review and public consultation is complete. The need to review the plan is driven by:

  • Increased patronage by local and visiting communities;
  • Population growth in Clarence and Greater Hobart;
  • Proposed developments at Kangaroo Bay, Queen Street Pier; and
  • Proposed ferry service from Bellerive.

As part of this review council is seeking feedback and suggestions from the community to help us develop the Victoria Esplanade and Kangaroo Bluff area into a significant foreshore destination, that offers unique waterside experiences for locals and visitors within a quality urban environment.

Council would like to thank the Bellerive Bluff Land and Coast Care Group who have worked tirelessly to improve the area prior to and after the adoption of the 2013 Landscape Plan.

Have Your Say

The engagement period for this project has now concluded.

Residents in the study area were notified of this consultation via letter.

There were a variety of ways we sought community feedback on this consultation:

  • By completing a short survey.
  • By sharing a story on their connection to Victoria Esplanade and Kangaroo Bluff (from Cambridge Road (car park) to Chapman Street Bellerive).
  • By dropping a pin on the map in 'PIN IT ON THE MAP' below, to show the areas they thought needed improvement, and on areas they love and would like to see better utilised.
  • By submitting their ideas for the plan.

Consultation Results

On Monday 2 December 2019 the results of the community consultation were delivered in an agenda report to council. A full report including trends and common themes within the consultation was presented.

Summary of feedback received:

  • People value the views, landscape, shared pathway and the connection to water along the esplanade.
  • Less favourable elements were the condition of the landscape, road and lack of seating and shade.
  • Many people feel car parking was adequate and water sensitive urban design would be good to incorporate into the streetscape/ landscape.
  • People would like to see the shared path widened, the vegetation set back from the path edge, better signage including interpretive signage relating to history, more shade and seating and a higher quality landscape with cohesive materials and plantings
  • Some respondents requested a better connection to Kangaroo Bluff Reserve to activate the space.

Consultation Outcome

Following completion of the consultation, council is now undertaking a 12-month open space planning and landscape design project. This will result in the development of a concept design for Victoria Esplanade, Queens Street and Cambridge Road, Bellerive.

The final vision is: ‘Victoria Esplanade will be a place of significance and celebration for all people.’

This will be achieved by engaging a lead landscape architect to work alongside council and the community as part of a co-design process. A community reference group will be established and consulted at key milestones within the development of the concept design to ensure desires identified in the 2019 consultation are considered and reflected in the concept design. Chief among them is:

  • Maximising engagement with views and the water’s edge.
  • Improving the shared path.
  • Creating spaces for relaxation.
  • Improving the quality of the urban fabric and soft landscape.

Additionally, the concept design will investigate road and traffic conditions, consider way-finding lighting and signage and develop Queens Street as a land-based link from Bellerive Village to Victoria Esplanade.

Investigations will be made into the ownership and possible future uses of the Regatta Pavilion and Starters Box. Council will explore the options to incorporate these buildings into the landscape and expand their function for greater public use.

Cultural and economic opportunities for the foreshore will also be explored to better activate the space and draw the river into the city heart.

  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Victoria Esplanade & Kangaroo Bluff Landscape Plan Review Survey

    Help us develop the Victoria Esplanade and Kangaroo Bluff area into a significant foreshore destination, that offers unique waterside experiences for locals and visitors within a quality urban environment by completing our survey. 

    The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete.

    Consultation has concluded