St Andrews Township Design Guidelines

april 2012

Nillumbik Shire Council Design Guidelines St Andrews Township

TABLE OF CONTENTS
ST ANDREWS TOWSHIP GUIDELINES

1.1

St Andrews Township

1.2

The Existing Character

1.3

The Design Guidelines Structure

SITE DESIGN GUIDELINES

BUILDING DESIGN GUIDELINES

BUILDING CONTEXT GUIDELINES

11

PUBLIC DOMAIN GUIDELINES

14

guidelines prepared by
hansen partnership pty ltd
www.hansen-online.com.au

nillumbik shire council | design guidelines | st andrews township

ST ANDREWS DESIGN GUIDELINES

1.1 St Andrews Township
St Andrews is a small rural township located approximately 53km north east of Melbourne. The township is positioned along HeidelbergKinglake Road / Caledonia Street creating a major road link between Hurstbridge, St Andrews and Kinglake. The rural town is
characterised by its historic buildings, informal street conditions, rural domestic housing surrounded by extensive vegetation, reserves,
parklands and the Saturday market located around St Andrews community hall. The map below illustrates the extent of St Andrews
Township Zone and the study area.
The purpose of the township design guidelines is to guide new developments within St Andrews to support the preferred character for the
area, which is as follows:

The Township will maintain a strong rural character, preserving the natural, tranquil setting of St Andrews.

The strong presence of native vegetation, particularly canopy trees, both within the public and private realms will reinforce the
bushland character of the area.

Buildings will be sited and designed to integrate with the landscape setting and be sympathetic to the rural context.

Preserve St Andrews heritage architecture, open streetscapes and views to surrounding hillside.

These urban design guidelines are intended to be used by anyone who is interested or involved in the planning and development process
(landowners, designers, developers, community, Council etc) to better understand how to suitably respond to local planning policies and
design controls associated with the St Andrews Township.
There are a number of planning scheme overlays covering the township of St Andrews. A Significant Landscape Overlay (SLO2) covers
the majority of residential and commercial areas within St Andrews. This Overlay specifies the need for built form to reflect the bushland
character of Nillumbik and to emphasise visual dominance of the native vegetation. A Bushfire Management Overlay applies to the land
within and surrounding St Andrews, which seeks to implement bushfire protection measures. A number of Heritage Overlays are present
within St Andrews. Two Environmental Significance Overlays (ESO 1 and 4) apply to the land surrounding most of St Andrews residential
and commercial areas, including the Diamond Creek Corridor in recognition of fauna and habitat significance and waterway environs.
Together these guidelines, planning scheme provisions and the CFA Landscaping for Bushfire guidelines should be used to assist in the
design phases for all new development within St Andrews Township. There will likely need to be a balance between landscaping
objectives and Bushfire Management Overlay requirements and that as a result; it may not always be possible to achieve the landscaping
objectives in their entirety.

nillumbik shire council | design guidelines | st andrews township

1.2 The Existing Character

Existing Quality and Tones
The following provides a summary and illustration of key existing textural qualities available within St Andrews Township:

Earthy colours and natural textured materials

Dense bushland garden setting

Traditional rural materials (ie. brick, timber, stone, non-reflective corrugated iron and wire fencing)

Indigenous canopy vegetation

Existing Form and Pattern

The following provides a summary and illustration of key typical building and landscape features within St Andrews Township:

Heritage presence

Low scale buildings surrounded by vegetation

Pitched, gabled and angled roofs

Deep lots with sloped topography

Varied front setback with permeable boundary fencing

Sealed and unsealed narrow roads with vegetated streetscapes

nillumbik shire council | design guidelines | st andrews township

1.3 The Design Guidelines Structure

These design guidelines are intended to ensure that new development provides an appropriate and sympathetic response to the preferred
character of St Andrews Township.
The St Andrews Township Design Guidelines is structured around 4 themes including the following:
1. Site Design (SD): Covers aspects which relate to the existing qualities of the land such as vegetation, topography and land form,
streetscape character and pattern and development configuration.
2. Building Design (BD): Focuses on the design on the building. It provides guidance on the desired scale, building form, appearance,
and material treatments.
3. Building Context (BC): Pays attention to the landscape and access areas around the development. It also provides guidance on
ancillary features including signage and lighting.
4. Public Domain (PD): Provides information on how public places such as streets and civic spaces should be designed to enhance the
local character of the area.
Within each theme, a set of objectives, guidelines and design directions provide advice on good design measures that should be
considered in all new developments within the St Andrews Township.

nillumbik shire council | design guidelines | st andrews township

1. SITE DESIGN GUIDELINES

SD01: SITE ANALYSIS
OBJECTIVE: Ensure the building design is site and context responsive.
DESIGN GUIDELINES & DIRECTIONS:
New applications should provide statements/ detail in regards to:

Site location, orientation and key views to and from the site
Proximity to commercial hub
Existing vegetation
Existing heritage attributes or if abutting any heritage
buildings

Response to the design guidelines

Response to the CFA guidelines on the CFA website
SD02: VEGETATION
OBJECTIVE: Protect, retain and enhance indigenous vegetation
and bushland landscape that contributes to the character of St
Andrews Township.
DESIGN GUIDELINES & DIRECTIONS:
a.

Lots affected by a Significant Landscape Overlay 2 (shown

on the planning scheme map as SLO2) should comply with
the Landscape Character Objectives and Permit
Requirements as stated in the schedule.

b.

Buildings are to be setback from the front, side and rear

boundaries to allow for substantial tree and understorey
vegetation where possible.

c.

Lots are to retain existing high canopy trees and indigenous

understorey vegetation where possible.

d.

Site development to minimise removal of vegetation,

particularly established canopy trees and vegetation along
property boundaries.

e.

Land proximate to the Diamond Creek waterway should

enhance the valley floor with native vegetation and robust
understorey growth.

f.

Removal of existing trees or development adjacent to existing

native canopy trees may require an arboriculture report
addressing the effect on existing vegetation.

g.

Landscaping and bush retention should maintain an area of

defendable space around the dwelling. Refer to the CFA
guidelines on the CFA website.

nillumbik shire council | design guidelines | st andrews township

SD03: TOPOGRAPHY
OBJECTIVE: Ensure development integrates with the surrounding
landscape and minimises disturbance to the natural landform and
vegetation.
DESIGN GUIDELINES & DIRECTIONS:
a.

Site development to correspond with the natural contours of

the land. On heavily sloped sites, building should use split
level design to sit above the ground or to be positioned within
the topography and understorey vegetation.

b.

Access driveways and pedestrian paths should also follow

the contour profile and avoid significant excavation works or
retaining walls.

c.

Minimise the use and reliance on retaining walls and batter

walls. Where land has begun to erode resulting in unsteady
embankments the construction of retaining walls must be built
from timber, rock and textured materials.

d.

Minimise the height and use of retaining walls within the side
and front setback areas. Minimise the area and angle of any
batter.

e.

Locate buildings and structures away from local ridge lines,

prominent hill tops and roads.

f.

Buildings should appear as a recessed element from roads

and other public vantage points.

SD04: STREETSCAPE PATTERN

OBJECTIVE: Promote attractive, informal rural streetscapes that
emphasise dominance to indigenous canopy vegetation and
understorey planting.
DESIGN GUIDELINES & DIRECTIONS:
a.

Apply staggered front setbacks to allow for the retention and

augmentation of native vegetation.

b.

Development located on street corners should have regard to

prevailing setback distances to both streets.

c.

Apply generous spacing from abutting buildings to allow for a

belt of landscaping along the sides and rear where possible.

d.

Buildings should appear as a recessive element in the

streetscape nestled within canopy vegetation and
understorey planting.

e.

Development on large sites should emulate the subdivision

pattern of the streetscape. Incorporate articulated facades
with building reliefs that correspond with the prevailing
pattern.

f.

Building envelopes should be proportionate in scale to

surrounding buildings so as to fit in with the rural character of
St Andrews.

nillumbik shire council | design guidelines | st andrews township

SD05: FUNCTIONALITY
OBJECTIVE: Establish safe, functional, practical developments that
contribute to the urban structure of the township.
DESIGN GUIDELINES & DIRECTIONS:
a.

Vehicle access points should be separate from pedestrian

access points unless this would require significant excavation.

b.

Avoid functional impacts on public spaces and pedestrian

footpaths.

c.

For non-residential development, entry and exit points should

be adequately signed and include sufficient lighting.
Appropriate signage should be visible but not dominate road
corridors or environmentally significant areas.

d.

Street faade and ground floor internal layout should allow

direct visual and physical access to adjoining public
realm/street.

e.

Locate private open spaces and key living/ active areas to face
a northerly and/ or easterly direction.

f.

Lots must maximise permeable surfaces.

g.

Footpaths leading to the building entrance should be:

no greater than 1.4m in width

constructed of quality materials complementary to the bush
character of the area such as compacted crushed rock and
aggregate finishes.

SD06: SUSTAINABILITY
OBJECTIVE: Establish energy efficient development appropriate to
local conditions and climate.
DESIGN GUIDELINES & DIRECTIONS:
a.

Passive design principles should form the starting basis for

designing new buildings.

b.

Position windows to allow for natural cross ventilation.

c.

Provide external shading devices to control heat gain.

d.

Incorporate extended eaves to allow winter sun and restrict

summer sun.

e.

Building forms should maximise the potential for solar heating,

solar panel installation and rain water harvesting.

f.

Locate equipment to be away from public view or integrate with

the building design.

g.

Rain water tanks should be positioned to the rear of the building

or placed underground. Water tanks should be of earthly tones
that reflect the surrounding the landscape and minimise visual
intrusion.

nillumbik shire council | design guidelines | st andrews township

BUILDING DESIGN GUIDELINES

BD01: BUILDING HEIGHT & FORM
OBJECTIVES: Promote building scales consistent with the
Township Zone.
Ensure buildings are discrete in form and incorporate interesting
spaces and projections rather than present as solid bulky
structures.
DESIGN GUIDELINES & DIRECTIONS:
a.

Development should reflect a scale compatible with the

prevailing 1 & 2 storey rural domestic buildings within the St
Andrews Township.

b.

The upper levels of development should be recessed and

appear visibly less than the lower level (either through
setback upper levels or gabled roof forms)

c.

Buildings should be setback from the side and rear

boundaries sufficient distance to allow for vegetation.

d.

Apply sufficient side setbacks to upper levels to allow for

canopy planting which can screen a two storey wall from
neighbouring properties and oblique views from the street.

e.

Buildings should not dominate above surrounding canopy

trees and unreasonably interrupt the prevailing tree line.

f.

Position buildings away from ridge lines to avoid them being

visible on the skyline.

g.

Buildings near ridge tops should be positioned and

designed so as not to protrude above the ridgeline, when
viewed from lower areas.

h.

The built form should reinforce the low scaled rural

character of St Andrews.

i.

Buildings located within the Bushfire Management Overlay

are required to be built in accordance with Clause 52.47
and the CFA Landscaping for Bushfire guidelines
regarding built form, positioning and materials.

j.

New properties should have a permanent built-in and easily

maintained fire protection system, linked to independent
water and power supply which is suitably sited designed to
meet relevant technical standards and the features of these
guidelines.

nillumbik shire council | design guidelines | st andrews township

BD02: BUILDING STYLE & FAADE COMPOSITION

OBJECTIVES: Ensure that development is designed and sited to
maintain the preferred character of the township.
Promote contemporary buildings that complement the bushland
character and historical buildings through interpretive expression
and material use.
Encourage development which is sympathetic to the timber, mud
brick, corrugated iron, high gabled architecture that is part of the
township.
DESIGN GUIDELINES & DIRECTIONS:
a.

Buildings should be contemporary in style and incorporate

simple elevation and building treatments that complement the
bush setting.

b.

Use techniques such as interpreting and simplifying the

prevailing building characteristics available in the area. As an
example, incorporate angles that relate to the gabled
architecture present within the Township.

c.

Use natural materials and earthly bush tones that suit

surrounding landscape and rural building style.

d.

Position building frontages to street.

e.

Incorporate design features such as porticos, verandahs and/

or porches into the faade to visually break up long walls and
elevations. Such elements should project at least 1.5m from the
principal faade wall.

f.

Incorporate treatments that lighten the building form such as

recessed balconies, transparent balustrading and fenestration.
Ensure the front faade does not present as a solid blank wall.

g.

Incorporate strong sense of vertical and horizontal divisions in

the faade to break up expansive areas of walling. Such
divisions should be strategically applied to correspond with key
lines available within the streetscape (such as roof parapets,
faade elements, and subdivision pattern).

nillumbik shire council | design guidelines | st andrews township

BD03: MATERIALS, COLOURS, HUES & TEXTURE

OBJECTIVE: Encourage a diverse range of materials and
colours that complement the rural landscape setting of the
township.
DESIGN GUIDELINES & DIRECTIONS:
a.

Use a range of muted and subdued tones as the buildings

primary base colour. Strategically apply accent colours on
key building features such as entrances, corner elements,
framing devices etc.

b.

Draw upon the surrounding landscape as an inspiration for

the colour palette selection on external walls. Seek to
harmoniously blend with the bush land environment with the
application of earthy tones, for example subdued whites
and greys, and warm colours.

c.

Use a mix of materials, textures and finishes including

timber, non masonry sheeting, glazing, stone, brick, mudbrick and iron roofing.

d.

Avoid large expanses of uninterrupted walls (breadth of 5m)

of a singular surface treatment.

e.

Ensure a balanced use of heavy and light weight

treatments. Walls detailed with natural stone and masonry
such as brickwork (including rendered), rammed earth or
mud brick will create an appearance of mass and weight.
Such wall treatments should be offset with features that
offer a light weight appearance such as verandahs,
pergolas, and balanced areas of glazing.

BD04: ROOF FORM`

OBJECTIVE: Promote roof styles that are respectful to heritage
and residential buildings in the township and establish a
consistent roofscape image.
DESIGN GUIDELINES & DIRECTIONS:
a.

Roofs should appear simple in design without fussy detail

and decoration.

b.

Incorporate pitched and gable ended roofs.

c.

Avoid curved and flat roof forms as they do not reflect the
prevailing style within rural township. Skillion roofs may be
considered but must respond to the angles and lines
available in the street and adjoining buildings.

d.

Apply extended eaves (of at least 450mm in depth) to the

roof design. This will enhance the presentation of the
building and assist in controlling sun light penetration.

e.

Use materials on roofs and car ports that are matte in finish
and low in reflectivity.

nillumbik shire council | design guidelines | st andrews township

10

BUILDING CONTEXT GUIDELINES

BC01: ACCESS & PARKING
OBJECTIVES: Ensure driveways, garages and carports do not
dominate the streetscape image.
Ensure the design of parking and access areas is safe, practical
and attractive.
DESIGN GUIDELINES & DIRECTIONS:
a.

The number of vehicle crossovers should be limited to 1 on

standard size lots. On larger sites and consolidated lots,
rationalise the number vehicle entry points. On a corner site,
locate the vehicle entry point to be accessed from the side
street.

b.

Avoid locating car parking in front of the building. Position

parking areas to the sides of the building combined with
extensive screen landscaping.

c.

Garages and carports should be integrated into the main

dwelling acting as a secondary element to the main faade of
the building. Carports may also comprise of small free
standing elements nestled into landscape.

d.

Open car parking areas, driveways and pedestrian access

ways should use non impervious surfaces and provide
minimal impact to existing vegetation. In locations where
erosion may occur, driveways may be sealed.

e.

Plant a combination of indigenous canopy trees and shrubs to

provide shade in car parks and screen parking areas from
adjoining properties and public spaces therefore minimising
dominance from the street.

f.

Driveways and pedestrian paths should be discrete and

designed to follow the contours of the land to minimise the
need for retaining walls or the removal of vegetation.

g.

Avoid long, straight and hard paved access ways.

nillumbik shire council | design guidelines | st andrews township

11

BC02: BOUNDARY TREATMENTS - LANDSCAPE

OBJECTIVE: Reinforce the vegetation dominated view of
private allotments when viewed from the street.
DESIGN GUIDELINES & DIRECTIONS:
a.

Apply a layered landscaping regime which incorporates

canopy trees, shrub planting and low lying plants.

b.

Use plant species that are indigenous to the local area,

especially on sites that adjoin public parkland or are in
close proximity to waterways.

c.

Minimise broad areas of lawn to reduce reliance on water

use. As an alternative, plant native and drought tolerant
grasses that will complement the surrounding bush setting.

d.

Where possible, avoid the use of visually dominant exotic

vegetation.

e.

Ensure that site planting and landscaping flows

uninterrupted to the edge of the roadway is consistent with
streetscape vegetation.

BC03: BOUNDARY TREATMENTS - FENCING

OBJECTIVE: Encourage front fences that offer a sense of
openness from the street.
DESIGN GUIDELINES & DIRECTIONS:
a.

Seek to define the front boundary through landscaping

treatments and edge planting.

b.

Front fencing is discouraged. But if required, they should

be:

Low in height (maximum of 1.2m);

Visually permeable (which incorporates regular spacing
between pickets); and

Predominately post and wire fencing to the front, rear

and side boundaries.

c.

Side, rear or screen fences should not exceed 1.8m in

height and be of natural materials or landscaping.

d.

Gateways should be constructed from simple steel and wire

or timber farm gates which are visually permeable.

e.

For retaining walls design, refer to guidelines SD03

Topography.

nillumbik shire council | design guidelines | st andrews township

12

BC04: SIGNAGE
OBJECTIVE: Ensure signage will be minimised and integrated
into the design of the building faade and landscape setting.
DESIGN GUIDELINES & DIRECTIONS:
a.

Generally, all signage must be in accordance with Nillumbik

Shire Councils Clause 22.09 Signage Policy.

b.

Signage on non-residential uses should be unobtrusive and

proportionate to the building faade or as a small stand alone
sign.

c.

Encourage the consolidation of signage to reduce visual

clutter.

d.

Avoid extensive use of primary colours on signage and

promote earthy colours and materials.

e.

Avoid painted/ fixed signage on the building windows.

f.

Avoid the use of illuminated, neon lighting, billboards or

animated advertising and signage.

g.

Integrate signage and lighting with the building form and

facade.

h.

Roadway signage should not interrupt pedestrian flow or

affect road safety.

BC05: EXTERNAL LIGHTING

OBJECTIVE: Ensure lighting of development creates a safe
environment and does not detract from the bush character of the
area.
DESIGN GUIDELINES & DIRECTIONS:
a.

Light spillage from signage and lighting for car parks should
be contained to within property lines. Landscaping should not
be relied upon to prevent light spillage into the public realm.

b.

The brightness of lighting should be restricted to a level that

protects the amenity of the area.

c.

Overhead lights must not be higher than the building height

and must be baffled to prevent light spilling into adjoining
properties

d.

The design of lights and equipment should be simple in style

and discrete in profile. Encourage the use of solar lighting
where possible.

e.

The colour of light post and heads should be of a tone that

will blend with the bushland landscape or the exterior of the
building.

nillumbik shire council | design guidelines | st andrews township

13

PUBLIC DOMAIN GUIDELINES

PD01: ACCESS, FOOTPATHS & PARKING
OBJECTIVES: Ensure the design of crossovers, footpaths and
parking areas do not detract from the bush landscape character
of St Andrews.
DESIGN GUIDELINES & DIRECTIONS:
a.

Avoid removal of existing canopy trees when locating new

vehicle crossovers.

b.

New vehicle crossovers should be constructed of non

impervious surfaces materials that will complement the
bush landscape such as gravel. Avoid sealed crossovers.

c.

Shared paths should be a minimum of 2.5 metres in width,

clearly marked, unsealed and preferably constructed with
gravel or granitic sand with aggregated finishes.

d.

Whilst paths should be direct, the alignment of paths should

not be rigid and formal. Meandering and informal pathways
are encouraged to flow around existing landscapes and
lead to key views and vantage points.

e.

Provide separate informal pedestrian paths and crossings

around the main commercial areas, retail areas and
community buildings in St Andrews.

f.

Provide separate informal pedestrian paths around

residential areas where topography and space permits
away from the main road (using side access roads where
possible). Link paths to commercial, retail and recreational
areas.

g.

Avoid locating open car parking areas to front Caledonia

Street. If unavoidable, ensure a generous reserve of screen
landscaping and shade planting is provided.

h.

Retain and enhance the bush landscape to the road edge.

i.

Allow sealed roads only to areas that are affected by

environmental problems of excessive erosion, dust or
pollution of watercourses.

j.

For sealed roads, use minimal rollover kerbs to avoid

erosion points.

k.

Where existing informal paths occur, these indicate

preferred pedestrian movement lines. Investigate such
paths for formalisation using non impervious surfaces that
is consistent across the broader pedestrian network.

nillumbik shire council | design guidelines | st andrews township

14

PD02: LANDSCAPE SOFT & HARD

OBJECTIVE: Continue the indigenous tree canopy as part of a
flowing bushland landscape.
Ensure the public environment reflects the rural, densely
vegetated character of St Andrews.
DESIGN GUIDELINES & DIRECTIONS:
a.

Enhance and retain existing canopy trees, and understorey

planting especially established indigenous street trees along
Caledonia Street, Diamond Creek Corridor and within the
Public Conservation and Resource Zone.

b.

The location of new street trees should be within road verges

and should generally be no more than 5-10 metres apart.

c.

Landscaping should be designed to minimise the visual

impact of roadside parking with low-lying shrubs and trees.

d.

Reinforce a consistent bush themed avenue planting

(staggered or informal) with a common selection of native
species available in the area.

e.

Utilise the slope of the land and incorporate natural grass and
stone WSUD swales to direct water run-off to landscaped
areas or key water collection points. These also act to
stabilise the embankment to avoid erosion.

f.

The bushland character and landscape should provide cues

for any sculptural elements such as public art. Public art is
encouraged at strategic locations and should embrace the
historical context and aesthetic quality of the land.

g.

Use naturally found objects such as stone, fallen timber,

existing vegetation, etc for sculptural gateway elements.

h.

Retain and replant indigenous canopy trees and deep rooted

plants to areas that are affected by land erosion (especially
along the Diamond Creek corridor).

i.

Ensure the use of natural materials like stones and rocks to

structurally support sensitive embankments and prevent
erosion along the roadside.

nillumbik shire council | design guidelines | st andrews township

15

PD03: STREET FURNITURE, LIGHTING & SIGNAGE

OBJECTIVE: Ensure the signage, lighting and street infrastructure
do not dominate the streetscape and visual clutter is minimised.
DESIGN GUIDELINES & DIRECTIONS:
a.

Ensure bus stops and street furniture such as bins, seating

and shelters are consistent in design which fit in with the
bushland character of St Andrews and Council policy.

b.

Seek to progressively upgrade street furniture which reflects

the rural character of the township.

c.

While there is minimal street lighting in St Andrews, over time

seek to improve street lighting along Caledonia Street and
Burns Street where retail, commercial, civic and recreational
areas exist.

d.

Lights should be simple in appearance and form a considered

part of the St Andrews township street furniture palette.

e.

Update and enhance existing signage to clearly demarcate

public open spaces and reserves, community facilities,
recreational facilities, retail buildings, St Andrews Hotel, St
Andrews Bakery and the market place. New signage should
be contemporary and incorporate materials familiar to the
area such as timber, steel and stone.

f.

Public signage should be compatible in design, scale,

material, style, and colour with the existing bushland qualities
and with the overall streetscape.

g.

Where possible, progressively reduce extraneous road side

infrastructure to minimise visual clutter (i.e. relocate
powerlines) and consolidate features together (e.g.
wayfinding signage on light poles, bins or bus stops).

h.

Review the location of bus stops and encourage their

placement on service roads, recessed parking areas and in
proximity to paths and key local destinations

nillumbik shire council | design guidelines | st andrews township

16

Nillumbik Shire Council

Civic Drive, Greensborough 3088 Australia
Postal address PO Box 476, Greensborough 3088

Phone (03) 9433 3111

Fax

(03) 9433 3777

Email nillumbik@nillumbik.vic.gov.au
Hours Monday - Friday: 8.30am-5pm