Preferred character statement

The recreational and school facilities in this area provide a strong focus for the local community. Buildings will be sited amongst the grounds of the school, in clusters, and designed with articulation on each visible façade. The landscaping on the edge of these sites will reflect and complement the strong native landscaping theme established along Main Hurstbridge Road. This will provide a highly distinct and attractive entrance to the Diamond Creek township from the east.

Objectives

• To consolidate and strengthen the range of educational, sporting and community activities.

• To encourage innovative and contemporary design forms that represent the local character of Diamond Creek and contribute to the sense of community in this area.

• 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 improve the access for pedestrians and cyclists in the precinct linking the recreational and school facilities to the north and the town centre in particular.

Strategies

• Develop access to the precinct to link it with residential area to the north and east and to the town centre, in particular through shared pedestrian/cycle paths over the rail line.

• Plan for additional leisure, performing art and other complementary educational and community activities.

• Strengthen the landscape character along Main Hurstbridge Road through the provision of mature trees and planting within the streetscape and public realm.

Design Guidelines

• Buildings should present articulated façades to the public realm.

• Buildings should be designed in contemporary architectural styles and include innovative responses that build on the local character of the area and complement the existing buildings.