Workshop Architecture and Xpace were engaged by Eurobodalla Shire Council to provide a review of current development controls for the town centre of Bateman’s Bay. From this review, new controls were recommended in response to an overall vision for the future of the town centre.
Our vision for Batemans Bay is based on maximizing the strong natural features of the town, while also considering the future threats this connection to natural environments poses.
Design Response
We framed the future development of this town as the meeting of these two edges; one blue, the other green. Our approach to the future urban form of Batemans Bay was based on five concepts.
A Blue Edge: The waterfront as the site of a future entertainment and short stay accommodation precinct, integrating these needs with the future coastal protection of Batemans Bay.
A Green Edge: The current town centre integrates successfully to the waterfront (the Blue Edge), but the other edge – its unique wetlands – is less present in the everyday character of the town. Our recommendations expand the future built form and public space of Batemans Bay to acknowledge this green edge, and draw it into the centre of the town.
Watergardens Neighbourhood: Another of Batemans Bay’s underused natural assets is its souther Watergardens and our vision sees this as the central amenity of a new multi-use neighbourhood adjacent to the current town centre.
Clyde – Orient St Axis: The medium to high density Watergardens Neighbourhood extends the axis of the towns main streets- Clyde and Orient Streets, -linking the smaller retail sites of the existing town centre to larger ones lying further south.
Landmark Sites: Alongside revised heights across the town are locations that can become the landmark buildings of Batemans Bay. Visually supporting the iconic bridge, they would provide visual markers to the edges of town and its precincts, as well as densities of accommodation and commercial activities at strategically important locations, such as at the northern entry to the town.
Characteristics
Key values
Re-valuing the existing natural and constructed assets of the town
Integration with future infrastructure for protection from flooding
Pedestrian connection in conjunction with increased residential density with central cycling and pedestrian pathways with adjacent landscapes and cultural sites
Directing higher intensity development to landmark sites
Key Initiatives
Revised Precinct Structure to Town Centre
Key, ‘Landmark’; sites to be allowed to go to a greater height in exchange for design quality and infrastructure outcomes.
Waterfront promenade that integrates pubic space and protective infrastructure
Transformation of former light industrial/commercial area into new medium-high density neighbourhood
Design Specifications
Core deliverables
Opportunities and Constraints Analysis
Proposed new building heights
Review of existing structure plan
Feasibility of key sites for future development
Services Provided
Urban Analysis
Urban Design
Development Feasibility Report
Architect
Workshop Architecture + XSpace
People
Project Director: Simon Whibley Project Team: Simon Whibley, Maud Cassaignau, Markus Jung, Edward Hicks
Client
Eurobodalla Shire Council
Date completed
2015
Location
Batemans Bay, New South Wales
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