|
Item 8.13 - Attachment 5 |
Background to Development of
Westmead Strategy |
BACKGROUND TO DEVELOPMENT OF
WESTMEAD STRATEGY
The Parramatta Regional
Planning Strategy 1999 identifies the vision, and framework for strategies and
actions to achieve this vision for the Parramatta Primary Centre, which
includes the Westmead Precinct. The strategy identifies a conceptual structure
plan and future directions for Westmead:
Future character
Westmead will continue to develop as the major
medical precinct in the
Key elements of the future character of this precinct
are:
· growth of health service delivery and medical
research
· consolidation of Westmead’s educational role
· access improvements to and through the precinct
· intensification of residential land uses
· development of a higher density mixed use centre
close to the station
· improvements in urban design particularly along the
Regional Park edge.
An important strategy
included is:
6.5 Identify opportunities to the intensify land
use within walking distance of the railway station to support a mixed use
centre in the precinct.
The Westmead Precinct
Structure Plan -- a Vision for 2020, July 2004
From early 2003 a group of
key stakeholders considered the development of a strategy for the Westmead
Precinct. Stakeholders include:
The report contains a vision
for Westmead of a vibrant campus environment with world class health, research
and education facilities and attractive civic spaces full of activity. The plan
states that it has the potential to establish Westmead on a similar global
parallel to cities such as Cambridge and Oxford in the UK and Stamford in the
US that are renown township and institutional centres for research and
education and to the Mayo Institute as a major health facility which serves as
a focus for the town of Rochester, Minnesota. A number of key issues in
relation to future development of the precinct are identified:
Transport
· Relatively
undeveloped internal access routes.
· Limited
access for precinct visitors from outside the precinct
· Poor pedestrian
and cycling facilities
· New transport
proposals including the north-west transit way
Design and future
development
· Need to
create a vibrant township in a health and teaching campus
· Need to
develop a built form concept that supports transit orientated development
· Limited
block permeability and readability in the precinct -- need to develop a
compact, walkable community with strong connectivity to facilities and
transport
· Explore
design solutions for medium high-density mixed use urbanism including
horizontal zoning solutions
· Need for
a focal town centre
· Need to
activate streets and public spaces
· Proposals
for future economic growth
· Environmental
sustainability
Detailed
proposals
A table with detailed
proposals of the Westmead Precinct Structure Plan are outlined below.
|
Reference |
Proposal |
|
Principle
3 |
Develop a
clear and legible network of streets and public squares with a well defined
hierarchy and a civic character, thus improving permeability and way finding.
|
|
Principle
4 |
Facilitate
a modal shift to public transport.
Establish a sequence of public transport nodes convenient to major
destinations in the precinct. Improve
and extend the pedestrian and bicycle paths, especially between Westmead
Railway Station and the major destinations.
Rationalise car parking. |
|
Principle
6 |
Land and
capital contributions from development of private and publicly owned sites
will fund parts of the new infrastructure and public domain improvements
through section 94 contributions.
Special development levies may need to be set in the future for public
domain improvements. |
|
3.5 |
Land uses
will be determined according to a number of objectives with mixed use
development being recommended in particular along |
|
3.7 |
A variety
of housing would be provided including studio apartments, one, two and three
bedroom apartments as well as hostel accommodation that provides shared
facilities. This would give
inexpensive housing options to short-stay, seasonal or low -income residents. |
|
3.10 |
A
potential future minibus service would be provided linking local functions of
the two hospitals, the residential areas, employment areas and the |
|
3.12 |
A mixed
use town square development would be established on the southern corner of
Darcy and Hawkesbury Roads, currently being planned by the |
|
3 .13 |
Major
landscaping would be undertaken to |
|
3.14 |
Institute
Road would be formed as a new campus street. |
|
3.15.1 |
Whole -of
-catchment Water Catchment Urban Design Strategies would be implemented to
address total water management issues including stormwater quality and
quantity entering into the natural watercourses across the precinct. |
|
3.16 |
Implementation
of the structure plan will require resources of both the public and private
sectors in a collaborative arrangement that recognises and accommodates the
objectives and constraints of both sectors.
Several forms of economic models for private sector participation are
suggested including developer contributions, contributions linked to
rezoning, privately funded infrastructure, land pooling schemes and land
development rights. |
Impression from the
structure plan of future town centre on UWS site -- looking south from
Design concept from the
structure plan for Westmead Precinct
Westmead Precinct
Implementation Plan November 2006
The Westmead Precinct
Structure Plan -- a Vision for 2020 was a high level document required to be
further grounded by transport, economic, retail and planning analysis. To this end, the Department of Planning, in
early 2005, commissioned various planning, urban design, economic, retail and
transport consultants to undertake further work. This work culminated in the preparation of
the Westmead Precinct Implementation Plan November 2006 which was forwarded to
Council in July 2007.
The Implementation Plan aims to facilitate the
continued evolution of the Westmead Precinct into a highly specialised medical
research centre. Under the plan the
number of residents is expected to increase from 7880 to 12,137 and the number
of employees to increase from 11,204 to 18,361 by 2031.
Important features and
proposals of the Plan are as follows:
· A
similar intensity and structure of future development is proposed as in the
current Parramatta LEP 2001, although land between Redbank and Kleins Roads is
zoned for future medium density development
· Mixed
use development is allowed for in much of the precinct and including the
hospital sites and along Hawkesbury and Darcy Roads
· Permitted
heights range from four to five storeys with the height on some sites being
permitted up to 12 and 15 storeys
· There
are major proposals to enhance the amenity, public domain and built form of the
precinct.
·
Hawkesbury Rd is to be developed into a ‘main street’ with the creation of new
public squares on adjoining sites and a pedestrian access way (‘Research Walk’)
through hospital land
· Future
transport needs of the precinct are proposed to be largely met by public
transport, with restrictions on parking provision, but there are proposals for
improved roading access through the hospital sites.
Background information from Implementation Plan
Below is information from
the Implementation Plan which provides an overview and details some of the
issues of the Westmead area.
Transport proposals
Existing travel overview,
from 6.1 of the Westmead Precinct Implementation Plan and from the Chris
Stapleton background report:
Traffic
One of the main aims of the
Implementation plan is to reduce the amount of private vehicles access to
Westmead which is currently at 80% by increasing the use of Public transport to
60%.
Below is information on
traffic within Westmead
· 88%
currently travel by car in peak hours (increasing 1-3% PA)
o 2150 vph each Darcy and
Hawkesbury in peak
o 1200 vph Redbank
· AM
peak
– 5000
hospital staff trips
– 1400
patient
– 3400
school (70% by train)
– 500
industrial employees outside core area
-- 57 other employee trips of the core of the
study area
Parking
A significant aspect of the
transport strategy involves the reduction of parking over time.
· Current
6220 parking spaces including
– 654
on-street
• 168
rail commuters
• 110
residents
• 160
patient and 80 staff
• 55
retail
– 5235
hospital parking
• 3673
staff only ($10/week)
• 1387
staff/patient/visitor
• 175
patient only ($6 flat fee or $4/hr children’s hospital)
Connectivity and future
demand
Below are points which
demonstrate some of the key connectivity issues for Westmead and reasons why it
is so important to get connectivity right
· Relatively
infrequent and poor regional connectivity - especially to the east and south. Westmead is disconnected from the regional
road network although has reasonable proximity to it.
· 70% of
the Westmead workforce live within a 7km radius of Westmead
· Future
workforce expected to double over the next 20 years to 11,000 (half the
employment for Parramatta)
Accommodation of demand
• Limited
capacity to accommodate additional demand within the existing road network
• Without
a change in travel behaviour an additional 4300 vehicles would seek to access
Westmead in the peak hour
• Additional
demand will require $180M for road upgrades and 40M for parking
• Any
additional travel demand would be best accommodated by public transport
Economic development Analysis
Population modelling was
undertaken to help in the commercial demand analysis. The summary results are outlined below:
Westmead precinct population
|
|
Existing |
Projected to 2031 |
|
Residents |
7,880 |
12,137 |
|
Employees |
11,204 |
18,361 |
|
Transience/daily visitors |
13,644 |
13,644 |
|
Totals |
32,728 |
44,142 |
Detailed characteristics of
the population profile are provided in the background report by Hirst
Consulting Services Pty Ltd.
Below are the key commercial
components within Westmead:
· Local
Retailers – supermarket, newsagent, bakery, fruit market, hairdresser &
laundrette
· Local
Commercial activities – real estate agent, dentist etc
· Coca
Cola Amatil
Current
Market Potential - $ Spend
· Current
available expenditure $12.2 million
· Current
retail floorspace 1,920m2
Based
upon population growth in Westmead the forecasted market opportunity for:
· Total
expenditure potential is $28.4 million
· Retail
floor space potential is an additional 5180 m2 to give a total of 7100 m2
· Retail
currently located within the hospital is internally oriented for the use of
hospital staff, patients and visitors.
If this floorspace were to be relocated to the Hawkesbury Road frontage,
patronage could be increased significantly and the western side of Hawkesbury
Road activated
· An
increase of medical specialists by 200 requiring an additional 8750 m2 of
floorspace giving a total floorspace of 15,750m2
· Additional
office space should be provided for some industries and organisations
associated with the medical focus of the precinct.
· The
ability of the area to support other associated uses such as medical equipment
suppliers, offices of illness foundations and support groups, and medical
research companies should also be considered.
It might be prudent to allow some industrial type land (for example,
land around Briens Road) for medical/health related purposes.
Detailed
proposals
Tables with detailed
proposals of the Westmead Precinct Implementation Plan are outlined below.
Transport proposals
Sections 6.0 and 8.4 of the
Westmead Implementation Plan discuss and outline options for meeting future
transport demands. Appendix D of the plan comprises the detailed report by
Chris Stapleton on transport issues and options for Westmead.
|
Reference |
Proposal |
|
8.4.1
Public Transport Option Note: has
the objective to reduce car use from 88% to 60% and to increase public
transport use from 12% to 40% |
A bus
route be provided from |
|
|
A bus route
to be provided from |
|
|
|
|
8.4.2
Demand management option Note: has the objective to reduce car
use from 88% to 44% and to increase public transport use from 12% to 56% |
The
proportion of total employee parking at Westmead (including offstreet parking
garages) is to be progressively reduced from existing supply of 0.82 spaces
per employee to 0.4 spaces per employee. |
|
|
A parking
management programme be agreed between Westmead's major health service
providers, Council and the Department of Planning to assist with the
documentation of the parking strategy |
|
|
|
|
9.2 - - pedestrian and cycle movements --
Illustration 26 |
Proposals
for a fully public, interconnected network system for pedestrians and
cyclists, as well as vehicles and public transport |
Planning proposals
|
Reference |
Provision |
|
2.1.1
Metropolitan Strategy |
Relevant
provisions of the strategy as they apply to Westmead |
|
4.3
Views, vistas and landmarks |
Significant
district and local views are identified and it is stated that any land use
strategy needs to ensure that these are not compromised by future development |
|
7.3
Staged implementation |
The
Westmead precinct is divided into two general areas for implementation
purposes: Stage 1 covering the central part of Westmead and hospitals where
the proposed provisions would apply immediately and Stage 2 where they would
apply at some time in the future. |
|
39 B
Medium Density Residential zone |
The
zoning of land between |
|
39 C Mixed
Use 1 zone |
The
zoning of land on the eastern side of Hawkesbury Road between the Best
Western site and Helen Street as Mixed Use 1 |
|
39 D Mixed
Use 2 zone |
The
zoning of land as Mixed Use 2 between |
|
Mixed use
1 and 2 zones |
Provisions
for these zones as they apply to land between |
|
39 E
Special Activities zone |
The
provision of a range of activities within this zone including medical related
uses, motels, multiunit housing and shops |
|
39 E
Special Activities zone |
Zoning of
land to the north side of Toongabbie Creek as special activities |
|
Enterprise
Corridor zone |
Zoning of
south eastern side of |
|
39 N
Special areas |
Objectives
and requirements for following special areas: § Hawkesbury Road and Westmead Station § Windsor Road and Helen Street § Darcy Road § Park Avenue § Parramatta River and Toongabbie Creek § Medical and Research Special Area |
|
8.5
Funding Framework for Infrastructure Improvements and 8.6 Recommended Infrastructure Upgrades to
Be Included in Consolidated Contributions Plan |
Provisions
and an outline of recommended infrastructure upgrades |
|
9.1 Site
Coverage |
Maximum
site coverage requirement of 50 % for
residentially zoned allotments |
|
9.3
Landscaping |
Specific
recommendations for landscaping |
|
9.4
Separation distances |
Front (4
metres for home activity and six metres for residential) and side (3 metres)
setbacks for residential uses |
|
9.5
Signage and awnings |
Controls
relating to signage and awnings |
|
9.6
Sustainability |
Sustainability
principles |
|
9.7
Street lighting |
Requirement
for preparation of a street lighting plan |
Urban design proposals
|
Reference |
Proposal |
|
Planning
and Urban design aims / Special areas 39N.
4.(a) (b).B (Page 123 to 127) |
Upgrading
of |
|
Planning
and Urban design aims / Special areas 39N.5.(a)
(b) (Pages 129 to 131) |
Landscape
and street improvements to |
|
Planning
and Urban design aims / Special areas 39N.6 (a)
(Pages 132) |
Creation
of a landscape boulevard in |
|
Planning
and Urban design aims / Special areas 39N.7 (b)
(Page 133) |
Street
and landscape improvements of Park Avenue to reinforce its interface with |
|
Planning
and Urban design aims / Special areas 39N.8 (b)
(Page 137) |
Provision
of enhanced active and passive recreational opportunities along |
|
Planning
and Urban design aims / Special areas 39N.9.(b)
(Page 139) |
Within
hospital precinct, encouragement of greater public use, permeability,
improved amenity and built form. In
particular, creation of a new pedestrian street (‘Research Walk’- 20 metres
minimum width) connecting Hawkesbury Road with Institute Road, creation of a
new pedestrianised space -- hospital square to the south west of the
Children's Hospital and upgrading of Institute Road. |
Concept plan for Westmead
from implementation plan
Westmead Health Campus
Planning Principles March 2007
Sydney West Area Health
Service of NSW Health released this report comprising high-level town planning
principles to inform site development decisions on achieving a 15 year vision
for a major health teaching campus at Westmead.
Proposed planning principles include:
· Development
of a functioning and vibrant campus that supports the evolution of Westmead as
a health, research and education precinct of international renown and preferred
employment
· Creation
of a high quality urban environment and well designed public domain
· The
provision for potential mixed retail, commercial and related health services
development along Hawkesbury and Darcy Roads
· The
creation of pedestrian links and boulevards through the hospital site
· The
creation of a number of landscaped squares fronting Hawkesbury and Darcy Roads
· Relocation
of car parks to the perimeter of the hospital site which will be expanded to
meet the shortfall in demand.
Westmead Health Campus
– Transport and Accessibility Strategy, 2007
The Westmead Health Campus
Transport and Accessibility Strategy (TAS) was commissioned by NSW Health to
explore the implication of major redevelopment of the campus over the 15 year
leading to 2021. The main focuses and
goals of the study were to:
§ look at
Land use and transport together;
§ takes a
multi modal approach
§ consider
both demand management and transport supply solutions
§ is
informed by best practice in planning for hospital accessibility
The study is to address the
transport challenges and responses for the three Campus hospitals
§ Westmead
Hospital
§ Children’s
Hospital
§ Cumberland
Hospital
The TAS examines existing
transport demands arising from the major hospital user groups:
§ Patients
§ Visitors
§ Staff
The study documents the
existing transport systems (Road, parking, rail, bus, cycling and walking) and
explores how future demands will be affected by the growth and change planned
for the Campus in the Campus future directions Report and the Future
Development strategy, recognising the hospital ongoing role as a Specialised
Centre.
The TAS is made up of the
following six plans
§ Staff
Travel Plan
§ Improve
Public transport
§ Local
area transport plan
§ Campus
Parking Policy
§ Improve
Internal accessibility Plan
§ Movement
and Opens Space Framework plan
Actions
Below are is a table of the
TAS implementation plan:
|
Westmead
TAS Implementation Plan |
|
|
|
|
Action |
Short
Term 2007-2010 |
Medium
Term 2011-2016 |
Long
Term 2016-2021 |
|
A. Staff
Travel Plan (STP) |
Pilot STP
focussed on non-medical staff |
Ongoing
STP |
Ongoing
STP |
|
Improving
Public Transport |
Marketing
existing systems as part of STP and to visitors (Journey Plans) |
Continue |
Continue |
|
Local
Area Transport |
Explore
shuttle bus potential |
Continue |
Continue |
|
Parking
Policy |
Develop
parking policy parameters - clarify supply, commence change to pricing and
allocation |
Ongoing
implementation of policy |
Ongoing
implementation of Policy |
|
Improve
internal accessibility |
Extending
the way finding strategy to the whole of the Westmead Health campus |
The
implementation of the overall (medium term) movement and openspace framework
is dependant on the proposed development of buildings within the campus |
The
implementation of the overall (long term) movement and openspace framework is
dependant on the proposed development of buildings within the campus |
|
Building
Capacity |
Secure
stakeholder understanding and ownership |
Evaluation |
Evaluation |
Below is a
table that that demonstrates the estimates for the expected reduction in car
drivers for each group by each action plan. These reductions would be expected
over the life of the Future Directions Strategy.
|
Expected
reduction in car driver mode share from TAS |
||||
|
Group |
STP |
Public
Transport |
Local
Area Transport |
Total
Mode Shift |
|
Doctor |
0% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
|
Nurse |
||||
|
Day |
-3% |
-1% |
-3% |
-7% |
|
Night |
-1% |
0% |
2% |
-3% |
|
Other
Staff |
-3% |
-5% |
-2% |
-10% |
|
Patients |
||||
|
Patients
Arriving |
0% |
-1% |
-2% |
-3% |
|
Overnight
Patinnets |
0% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
|
Visitors
|
0% |
-2% |
-1% |
-3% |
Draft Subregional Strategy for the West Central Sub Region,
2007
The Draft
Subregional Strategy for the West Central Sub Region includes aims to
consolidate and enhance Westmead's role as a vibrant health and health-related
education/research precinct. A statement from the strategy on Westmead's
importance is included below:
A statement on the strategic aims for the
precinct is as follows:
Westmead Precinct Strategy: aims to consolidate and
enhance Westmead’s role as a vibrant health and health related
education/research precinct. It will also address critical traffic and access
problems and improve the direct and efficient access to and
throughout the precinct. The
plan will facilitate substantial new development potentially creating an
estimated 15,000 additional jobs and a two-fold increase in dwelling yields.
Parramatta City Council, Residents
Panel: Westmead Consultation Business Report, December 2008; Westmead Residents
Consultation Report, May/June 2009; Focus Group Report with Businesses, 10
March 2009; Focus Group Report with Residents, 18 August 2009
Arising from a Councillor resolution in 2008, Council's
Residents Panel organised and undertook consultation with residents within
Westmead Precinct and businesses of
· Residents within the precinct were asked to complete
a questionnaire. 100 responses were
received.
· Thirty eight businesses on Hawkesbury Road were
surveyed and18 responses received.
· A focus group session was held with businesses on 18
March 2009 and a focus group session with residents on 18 August 2009.
Main messages
from businesses:
· Main issues related to insufficient parking for visitors and staff
and also traffic management.
· Various solutions were put forward to help alleviate the problems
of parking and traffic.
Main messages
from residents:
· Westmead is liked for being central and close to activities and
being quiet
· Dislikes focused on traffic and also generally to safety and
cleanliness.
An indication
was given to businesses that further opportunity for consultation would be
provided following completion of the transport study.
Westmead Integrated
Transport Strategy, 2010
Council
engaged a consultant to undertake a traffic and transport analysis to prepare
an integrated transport strategy for the Westmead Precinct which included a
traffic model to guide the future transport needs and assist Council in the
preparation of future planning controls and to support the assessment of
Development Applications.
The
Westmead precinct has limited existing vehicular access and parking problems
due to the low use of public transport.
The future transport needs of the precinct need to focus on walking,
cycling and public transport to be able to realise the potential development
proposed.
The
Strategy’s recommendations are below:
|
Strategy
Component |
Recommendations |
|
Strategy
1: Increase Public Transport Use and Mode Share |
1.1
Increase public transport and walking and cycling mode share to 35% (from 12%
currently) (refer to other strategies for detailed recommendations to achieve
this target) |
|
Strategy
2 : Increase Walking, Cycling and Public Transport Trips |
2.1
Introduce Westmead Sustainable Transport Guide |
|
|
2.2
Improve pedestrian amenity in Westmead |
|
|
2.3
Develop way-finding signage plan for walking and cycling |
|
|
2.4
Develop a regular program of site inspections for surface damage, signposting
and vegetation |
|
|
2.5 Roll
out Walking School Bus Scheme |
|
|
2.6 Close
gaps in cycle network |
|
|
2.7
Provide free secure bicycle parking across Westmead and at Westmead railway
station |
|
Strategy
3: Improve Accessibility to Westmead centres |
3.1
Introduce continuous cycle and walk connection with Parramatta City Centre |
|
|
3.2
Introduce a formal cycle route to |
|
|
3.3
Introduce direct bus connections to areas north and south of Westmead, by
extending routes 520, L20 and 545 to Westmead, and divert routes 549, 600,
811, 813 and 815 through Westmead |
|
|
3.4
Strengthen bus links to west of Westmead |
|
|
3.5
Assess feasibility of a free shuttle bus within Westmead |
|
|
3.6
Reduce the interchange time at Granville during the off-peak by increasing
rail service provisions between Campbelltown and Westmead (refer to Section
5.8 in support of restoring services on the Cumberland Line) |
|
|
3.7
Investigate potential demand on |
|
|
3.8
Confirm location of a potential Metro station in Westmead |
|
|
3.9
Ensure all bus stops in Westmead comply with DDA guidelines |
|
|
3.10
Improve intersections of |
|
Strategy
4: Make More Effective and Efficient Use of Available Infrastructure Assets |
4.1
Intersection improvements to increase the effectiveness of existing road
space ( |
|
|
4.2 Bus
priority program |
|
|
4.3
Reallocation of kerbside road space at stations and centres |
|
|
4.4
Optimise the rail timetable to achieve an even spread of services over the
hour |
|
|
4.5
Better access and kerbside allocation at Westmead CityRail station, new Metro
station and T-Way station for bus and walking and cycling users |
|
Strategy
5: Demand Management and Parking |
5.1
Review land use and location of new development in respect to closeness to
public transport stations |
|
|
5.2
Infrastructure such as investment in walking and cycling facilities to
achieve mode share objectives |
|
|
5.3
Review parking pricing strategy |
|
|
5.4
Reallocate existing parking for priority users |
|
|
5.5 Work
with hospitals to manage travel demand |
|
|
5.6
Introduction of car pooling and car share initiatives as proposed in Section
3.6.1 of the Draft Parramatta Development Control Plan |
|
|
5.7
Introduce traffic calming plan to precinct |
|
|
5.8
Promote the existing Park and Ride facilities at the Burns and Riley T-Way
bus stops |
|
|
5.9
Introduce dynamic parking signage |
|
|
5.10
Support the car parking rates for development within Westmead as proposed in
Section 3.6.2 of the Draft Parramatta Development Control Plan |
|
Strategy
6: Affordable and Staged Implementation |
6.1 Adopt
parking policy based on user pays |
|
|
6.2 Prepare
Sustainable Transport Plan for Westmead |
|
|
6.3
Consult with stakeholders and develop Draft Concept Plan which includes
detailed routing of walking, cycling and public transport |
|
|
6.4
Develop funding strategy in consultation with RTA, Sydney Metro, RailCorp, |
Metropolitan Plan for
The
Metropolitan Plan for
In Appendix 5
Future Directions for Strategic Centres of this plan, Westmead is identified as
a health and biotechnology cluster adjacent to
Health and
biotechnology cluster adjacent to
• Future
Directions:
— Intensify
the cluster of education and health enterprises.
—
Investigate opportunities for creating a more vibrant town centre precinct
with active
street frontages linking the hospital to the station.
• Examples
of State Government support:
—
—Western
Express rail; Chatswood–Epping–Parramatta Rail Link.
—Strategic Bus Corridor 42 (North–West T–way).