Diamond Creek: Precinct 5 Plan
Preferred character statement
As the approach to the Diamond Creek town centre from the east, the larger scale civic and commercial buildings, set in well-landscaped surrounds, will retain the rural township character.
This area will become a truly mixed use precinct, where the existing industrial uses and bulky goods can continue alongside other start up businesses, small-scale manufacturers and technology oriented start-up businesses, office and creative industries.
Re-established native vegetation along this stretch of Main Hurstbridge Road will create a distinct character for the area and make a welcoming statement at the town entrance. In addition, heavily landscaped property frontages will also provide visual continuity.
Objectives
• To encourage a range of industrial, commercial, office, civic and other employment generating uses complementing the use mix in Precinct 4.
• To minimise off site effects on adjoining sensitive land uses.
• To maintain the ‘rural periphery’ and landscape setting of this section of Main Hurstbridge Road.
• To enhance the strong native vegetation theme of this part of Main Hurstbridge Road, as the defining feature of the eastern entrance to the township.
• To encourage an attractive and safe environment for pedestrians and cyclists.
Strategies
• Undertake community consultation to review the potential application of C3Z (or modified ACZ2) to part of Precinct 5 to allow for a diversification of uses and retention of the existing industrial uses.
• Investigate potential to establish an employment anchor, such as a civic or health anchor.
• Continue to support retail or semi-retail development that requires larger floor spaces, trade supplies or bulky goods.
• Maintain a suitable landscape buffer treatment along the eastern precinct boundary to act as a buffer to adjacent sensitive land uses.
• Retain landscaping along the frontage to Main Hurstbridge Road.
• Investigate potential footpath upgrades and widening along Main Hurstbridge Road, subject to protection of existing trees in the public realm.
• Reduce the speed limit along Main Hurstbridge Road to 40km/h.
• Liaise with DoT to advocate for the implementation of on-road cycle lanes on Main Hurstbridge Road.
Design Guidelines
• Buildings fronting Main Hurstbridge Road should:
- Be setback 5.5m from front boundary.
- Provide active frontages at ground level to provide a safe and lively environment.
- Be designed with ground floor street frontages with windows with displays and doors at the street level.
• Locate habitable spaces on upper levels along the street frontage, with windows overlooking the street or parklands/railway corridor to create a sense of surveillance.
• Locate storage yards, loading docks and large carparking areas to the side or rear of the buildings to reduce their visual prominence.
• Locate main building entrance on street frontage so it is visible and easily recognised.
• Larger scale commercial and industrial buildings to be set in well landscaped surrounds to contribute to the rural township character of the centre.
• Provide space in front setbacks for adequate landscaping including indigenous grasses, shrubs and canopy trees and sufficient permeable surface to ensure plant growth.
• Minimise the number of driveway cross-overs to improve footpath safety and accessibility and opportunities for on-street parking.
• All industrial sheds should include a glazed office/ display component to provide an interface with the street and to assist in concealing the bulky form behind.
• Front fencing along the street boundary is strongly discouraged.
Refer to the General Guidelines at Section 6.0 for interface setback requirements.