Civic Park – Newcastle including Laman
Street–Civic Precinct
Parks and Playgrounds Movement have been the principal advocates for
the development of a professional landscape for Civic Park
Newcastle and
its environs since 1968. This included Laman Street and the Civic Precinct. Our
1968 scheme proposed that an overall plan for the precinct be prepared and we
are pleased that Council is again considering the adoption of an overall
concept for Civic
Park and its
Civic/Cultural Precinct.
Newcastle Council has been slowly working toward the fulfilment of such
a concept ever since Civic Park was extended from the Burwood Rail line to
Darby Street under the provisions of the 1952 to 1960 Northumberland County
District Planning Scheme. The establishment of the ceremonial axis including
the Cultural Centre, the Civic
Park Fountain, the
Cenotaph and City Hall made this essential. Whilst much has been achieved since
1952/1960 with little funding the progress has been hampered by the lack of a
viable professional masterplan capable of being implemented in a positive way.
We note that Newcastle City Council recently resolved to adopt the
following key themes listed below at its Ordinary Council Meeting on 5/7/2011
Item No 80 for the future planning of Laman Street and Civic Precinct which
includes Civic Park.
a Preserve the green
heart functions
b Improve heritage
interpretation
c Preserve memorial
sanctity
d Provide
opportunities for families
e Enhance community
safety
f Continue the
cultural precinct as a meeting place
g Prioritise
pedestrian connectivity
h Promote public art
opportunities
The Movement approves of these themes but they need to be given form in
a workable master plan. We were very disappointed when the Council in August
2010 did not resolve the design framework for the precinct into a clearly
presented plan that could be adopted and implemented before moving to remove
the Laman Street
trees and create deep controversy in the community. This was an error but we
support Council in its current resolve to adopt a redevelopment plan for Laman Street as a
new start.
The Laman Street Design- Stage One now before Council is supported by
the Parks and Playgrounds Movement. We are pleased that it is proposed to
relocate the line of the old water main to the south of the tree planting and
the other services to the centre of the existing Laman Street. We would like to see a
further two trees planted in the design to replace the 14 trees recently
removed. There is space for an extra tree on each side of the street in Council’s
design and there will be no shortage of solar access to Laman Street for the next 30 years.
Furthermore we believe that future Councils will appropriately maintain the
trees in an aesthetic way to achieve views and provide access. Detail of the
transition of the new street grades to the entrances of the Art Gallery
and the existing Cultural Centre Library are needed as Laman Street slopes down considerably to Darby Street.
We note that Council will retain the central Axis of Civic Park from
the City Hall to the Cultural Centre and that it is not proposed to build an
under Laman Street Library extension or widen Laman Street into the Park or
remove the War Memorial Grove. We are pleased that they will not be in a future
plan and we support the proposed exhibition of the ‘Laman Street Design Report -Stage One’
for public comment.
Civic Park is an important civic open space in the
heart of Newcastle
and Laman Street
is an integral part of its landscape. The Park should complement the Laman
Street development and respect the work of the Council and of the people of
Newcastle that have brought it into existence and also acknowledge and maintain
the War Memorial Grove, the Vietnam Memorial, the Cenotaph and the Fountain. Civic Park
should also exhibit a soft and pleasant greenness with shade, shelter and
floral displays to provide a gracious setting for civic activities and nearby
civic buildings.
We favour the strengthened central axis possibly paved and flanked by
tree planting much like Hyde Park Sydney and with a dignified approach to the
entrance foyer of the Cultural Centre from the park.
Detail of planting under trees on the main Axis Hyde
Park Sydney.
The essential features of Civic Park that should be prominent in the
final landscape design are: The Civic
Axis, a Cathedral arch of Laman Street Trees, The Civic Park Fountain, the War Memorial
Grove and the central Cenotaph and the Vietnam Memorial area. Other elements
including the old Burwood St Railway alignment and the adjacent Signalman’s
cottage and Saint Andrews
Church that needs to be
subtly revealed. Also generously widened stairway entrances are needed directly in front of the Art Gallery and on
the Burwood St Railway alignment. The
Memorial Grove and the terraced garden beds also need to be revived and
replanted to give and an attractive green cascading effect down from Laman Street.
Also a clearly designated disabled access along Laman Street and sweeping around and into
the park from Darby Street
should be provided.
We favour structure planting within Civic Park
with Hills Figs and the ultimate removal of non contributory elements like ugly
signs and untidy vans and the garbage area from the park.
We would like to see the toilet block removed from its current location
and replaced with a well designed light structure. Also the gardener’s
equipment store and shelter could be relocated to the southern boundary at the
western end of the Park so that the architecture of the Church and the former
Signalman’s Cottage could be visible from the park.
Parks and Playgrounds Movement has included a concept plan below to
show the structure planting we favour. It is titled Civic Square
Civic Park
Newcastle
Landscape Structure Plan.
Parks and Playgrounds Movement encourages Council to adopt and
implement a Landscape Structure Plan for Civic Park and begin planting where
appropriate in the park to complement the new planting proposed in Laman
Street. This should be commenced as soon as possible to allow the park to
evolve over future years to a mature design.
The Movement would appreciate being able to make further submissions on
this matter.
Yours sincerely
Doug Lithgow for Parks and Playgrounds Movement
The photos and illustrations attached are provided to show detail
features of Civic
Park.
 |
| A more generous wide stairway entrance opposite the Art Gallery is needed |
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