Hurstbridge Design Guidelines
Heidelberg - Kinglake Road (Main Road) Precinct
Final - March 2013
Nillumbik Shire Council - Design Guidelines - Hurstbridge (Heidelberg Kinglake Road) Precinct
Hurstbridge (Heidelberg-Kinglake Road) Design Guidelines
1.1
Heidelberg-Kinglake Road Precinct
The Heidelberg-Kinglake Road Precinct is the key corridor that intersects the Hurstbridge
Township and serves principally as the Town Centre. The precinct accommodates a range
of activities including commercial, retail, residential, industrial developments and
community/ public transport services.
These Design Guidelines have been prepared to guide the future development of land
within this main street setting and build upon the recommendations of Council’s
Neighbourhood Character Policy, relevant studies and residential guidelines. The map
indicates the extent of the Hurstbridge Heidelberg-Kinglake Road Precinct and the affected
properties.
The purpose of this document is to inform 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, in
particular Clause 22.12 – Neighbourhood Character Policy. Key objectives of this policy
include:

To ensure that development is responsive to the preferred character of the area.

To retain and enhance the identified elements that contribute to the character of the
area.

To recognise the potential for change as a result of new social and economic
conditions, changing housing preferences and State and local housing policies
While the Neighbourhood Character Study and Residential Design Guidelines identifies
land within the study area as Bush Garden and Semi Bush Character Types. For the
purpose of these Design Guidelines, common place values and design objectives have
been taken into consideration to ensure the Hurstbridge Heidelberg-Kinglake Road
Precinct is unified in its presentation and supports development that is sympathetic to its
landscape and heritage context.
Use this design guideline document to assist in the design phases for all new development
within the Heidelberg-Kinglake Road Precinct to ensure the preferred character of the area
is realised.
Nillumbik Shire Council - Design Guidelines - Hurstbridge (Heidelberg Kinglake Road) Precinct
1.2
The Hurstbridge Township Existing Characteristics
The Hurstbridge Township has a strong sense of a ‘rural village’ atmosphere, attributed by
its confined township boundary, main street format and low building scale. The Township’s
‘rural village’ image is reinforced with historic buildings, informal layout of streets,
significant native vegetation cover and panoramic views towards the hills from the town
centre.
1.2.1 Existing Quality and Tones
The following provides a summary and illustration of key existing textural qualities
available within the Heidelberg-Kinglake Road Precinct :

Dense Bushland Garden Setting

Earthy Colours and Muted Tones

Traditional Residential Materials (i.e. brick, timber and corrugated iron)

Natural and Textured Materials
1.2.2 Existing Form and Pattern
The following provides a summary and illustration of key typical building and landscape
features within the Precinct:

Rolling Topography with Extensive Native Vegetation Cover
Nillumbik Shire Council - Design Guidelines - Hurstbridge (Heidelberg Kinglake Road) Precinct

Low Scaled Buildings and Varied Front Setbacks

Pitched, Gabled and Angled Roof Forms

Strong Presence of Heritage Buildings

Open Streetscapes and Low Fencing
1.3
The Preferred Character
Development responds to topographic, vegetation and historical context. Buildings
maintain the pattern of orientations and setbacks of adjoining properties of the
streetscape. Driveways, car parking and storage areas do not dominate the developments’
presentation from the street and minimises the extent of excavation and earth works.
Development provides ample opportunities for canopy landscaping to thrive and maintain
a silhouette of substantial indigenous / native canopy trees to dominate the skyline.
Landscaping will define front boundaries and front fencing (if required) will be discrete in
profile and in scale.
The ‘public’ space between front boundaries and the roadway includes an avenue of
native canopy trees and informal planting of shrubs/plants within the verges. Footpaths will
be formal and include a special paving treatment to signify a unified pedestrian zone.
1.4
The Design Guidelines Structure
These design guidelines are intended to ensure that new development provides an
appropriate response to the preferred character of the Hurstbridge Heidelberg-Kinglake
Road Precinct.
The Hurstbridge Heidelberg-Kinglake Road Precinct 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.
Nillumbik Shire Council - Design Guidelines - Hurstbridge (Heidelberg Kinglake Road) Precinct
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
Hurstbridge Heidelberg-Kinglake Road Precinct.
Nillumbik Shire Council - Design Guidelines - Hurstbridge (Heidelberg Kinglake Road) Precinct
Site Design Guidelines
SD01: Site Analysis
Objective:
Ensure the building design is site and context responsive.
Design Guidelines and Directions:
New applications should provide statements/ detail in regards to:

Site location, orientation and key views to and from the site

Proximity to services and open space

Existing vegetation

Existing heritage attributes or if abutting any heritage buildings

Response to the design guidelines
SD02: Vegetation
Objective:
Protect, retain and enhance significant vegetation and landscape that contributes to the
character and integrity of the corridor.
Design Guidelines and Directions:
a. Lots affected by a Significant Landscape Overlay 2 & 3 (shown on the planning
scheme map) must comply with the Landscape Character Objectives and Permit
Requirements as stated in the schedule.
b. Minimise the removal of vegetation, particularly established canopy trees, when
planning site development. Design the layout of buildings to integrate existing
canopy landscape within courtyards and building setbacks.
c. Development should retain the sense of a strong canopy tree silhouette behind the
buildings.
d. Avoid damage to environmentally and ecologically sensitive areas. Apply
appropriate protection zones/ buffers around established trees and/ or sensitive
areas.
Nillumbik Shire Council - Design Guidelines - Hurstbridge (Heidelberg Kinglake Road) Precinct
SD03: Topography
Objective:
Ensure development integrates with the surrounding landscape and minimises disturbance
to the natural landform.
Design Guidelines and Directions:
a. Site buildings to avoid extensive cut and fill.
b. Minimise earthworks and visual impact by using split level design on larger sites.
c. Step development to follow contours and the prevailing slope of the land.
d. Access driveways should also follow the contour profile and avoid significant
excavation works.
e. Minimise the use and reliance on retaining walls and batter walls. If required, they
should appear inconspicuous (no greater than 500mm high) and constructed with
natural materials such as stone, timber and textured materials.
Nillumbik Shire Council - Design Guidelines - Hurstbridge (Heidelberg Kinglake Road) Precinct
SD04: Streetscape Pattern
Objective:
Promote attractive and coherent streetscapes that emphasise a generous landscaped
quality between buildings.
Design Guidelines and Directions:
a. Apply consistent front setbacks with neighbouring buildings.
b. Development located on street corners should have regard to prevailing setback
distances to both streets.
c. Apply side setbacks of at least 2m to allow for landscaping along boundaries to
occur and present regular gaps within the streetscape.
d. Development on large sites should emulate the subdivision pattern of the
streetscape. Incorporate articulated facades with building reliefs to correspond with
the prevailing pattern.
e. Subdivision of a site should conserve the setting of the streetscape. Allow for
sufficient space to retain garden areas where it prevails.
f. Development adjacent to buildings built close to the street should adopt similar front
setbacks. Note: If development is adjacent to a heritage building with front garden
setback, stagger the building to provide an appropriate transition.
Nillumbik Shire Council - Design Guidelines - Hurstbridge (Heidelberg Kinglake Road) Precinct
SD05: Functionality
Objective:
Establish safe, functional, practical developments that contribute to the urban structure of
the corridor.
Design Guidelines and Directions:
a. Minimise the number of vehicle cross-overs entering the site. Vehicle access points
should be separate from pedestrian access points.
b. Entry and exit points should be adequately signed and include sufficient lighting.
c. Street façade and ground floor internal layout should allow visual and physical
access to adjoining public realm/street.
d. Locate private open spaces/ key active areas to face a northerly and/or easterly
direction.
e. Footpaths leading to the building entrance should be:

no greater than 1.4m in width

constructed with materials consistent with the street footpath such as brick pavers,
finished concrete, crushed rock and aggregate finishes.
Nillumbik Shire Council - Design Guidelines - Hurstbridge (Heidelberg Kinglake Road) Precinct
SD06: Sustainability
Objective:
Establish energy efficient development that are appropriate to local conditions and climate.
Design Guidelines and Directions:
a. Incorporate as relevant, integrated water and storm water management practices
such as water recycling and reuse, rain gardens and other related WSUD
measures. The water management related equipment such as water tanks should
be positioned to the rear of the building or placed underground.
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. Maximise opportunities for best practice sustainable building design including but
not limited to passive heating and cooling, building insulation, double glazing,
materials that promote efficient use of thermal mass and considered planting of
vegetation.
Nillumbik Shire Council - Design Guidelines - Hurstbridge (Heidelberg Kinglake Road) Precinct
Building Design Guidelines
BD01: Building Height and Form
Objectives:
Ensure buildings are discrete in form and incorporate interesting spaces and projections
rather than present as solid bulky structures.
Ensure buildings are sympathetic to existing heritage stock within the corridor.
Design Guidelines and Directions:
a. Buildings should reinforce the low scaled ‘village’ atmosphere of Hurstbridge.
Buildings of taller scale should be recessive in form to emphasise a human scale
relationship with the street.
b. Buildings should not exceed two storeys (7.5 metres) at the street frontage.
c. On large and deep sites, buildings of up to 3 storeys (9m max) may be acceptable if
it can be demonstrated that the 3rd storey form will not be visible from the opposite
side of the street.
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. Development should not extend above the canopy silhouette behind buildings.
Nillumbik Shire Council - Design Guidelines - Hurstbridge (Heidelberg Kinglake Road) Precinct
BD02: Building Style and Façade Composition
Objectives:
Promote building designs that are sympathetic to nearby heritage developments within the
corridor.
Ensure buildings do not distort historic evidence of heritage places by copying or
reproducing historic styles or detailing.
Encourage buildings that reflects a residential appearance with consistent roof styles,
materials and verandah treatments that are common in the area.
Design Guidelines and Directions:
a. Avoid the demolition of buildings that contribute to heritage value of the corridor.
Nillumbik Shire Council - Design Guidelines - Hurstbridge (Heidelberg Kinglake Road) Precinct
b. Ensure building ridge lines, wall parapets and verandah levels respond to adjoining
heritage buildings.
c. Buildings should be contemporary in style and incorporate simple building
elements. Excessive decoration and historical reproduction styles (i.e. Mock
Victorian) are discouraged.
d. Use techniques such as interpreting and simplifying the prevailing building
characteristics available in the area. As an example, incorporate similar roof forms
and proportionate façade elements and materials drawn from existing building
stock.
e. Position front entrance to face the primary street.
f. Ensure window placement corresponds with any regular pattern from adjoining
heritage buildings.
g. Buildings located on corner sites should address both streets and incorporate ‘multisided’ façade treatments. Apply a feature architectural element that ‘wraps’ around
the corner of the building.
h. The profile and height of new verandahs should continue the prevailing pattern
within the streetscape.
i.
Incorporate treatments that lighten the building form such as glazed balconies,
transparent balustrading and fenestration. Ensure the front façade does not present
as a solid blank wall.
j.
Incorporate strong sense of vertical and horizontal divisions in the façade 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,
façade elements, and subdivision pattern).
k. Apply varying material treatments to exposed side elevations. Use at least 2
different material types combined with building recesses and projections to ensure
the side walls are attractive and well articulated.
l.
Service related areas and equipment should be located away from public view or
adequately screened.
Nillumbik Shire Council - Design Guidelines - Hurstbridge (Heidelberg Kinglake Road) Precinct
BD03: Roof Form
Objective:
Promote roof styles that are respectful to heritage and residential buildings within the
corridor and establish a consistent ‘roofscape’ image.
Design Guidelines and Directions:
a. Traditional roof styles within the area are predominantly pitched, gabled and hipped
and constructed with corrugated galvanised iron. New building should incorporate
similar roof designs.
b. Avoid curved and flat roof forms. Skillion roofs may be considered but must respond
to the angles and lines available in the street and adjoining buildings.
c. Roof should appear simple in design without fussy detail and decoration.
Nillumbik Shire Council - Design Guidelines - Hurstbridge (Heidelberg Kinglake Road) Precinct
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.
BD04: Materials, Colours, Hues and Texture
Objective:
Encourage a diverse range of material and colours that complement the main street and
landscape setting.
Design Guidelines and Directions:
a. Use a range of subdued and natural tones such as cream, stone tan, ochre and
unpainted brickwork on walls and grey, light stone, ferric red or mid-green on roofs
as primary colours.
b. Strategically apply accent colours on key building features at entrances, corner
elements, etc such as light brown, rich brown, indian red, brunswick green, olive
green and prussian blue.
c. Draw upon the surrounding landscape as an inspiration for the colour palette
selection on external walls. Seek to also match tones that are present on heritage
buildings within the area.
d. Use a mix of materials, textures and finishes including lightweight cladding, timber,
render, non masonry sheeting, glazing, stone, brick, mud-brick and iron roofing.
e. Avoid large expanses of uninterrupted walls (breadth of 5m) of a singular surface
treatment.
f. 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.
Nillumbik Shire Council - Design Guidelines - Hurstbridge (Heidelberg Kinglake Road) Precinct
Building Context Guidelines
BC01: Access and 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 and 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
or rear of the building combined with extensive screen landscaping.
c. Garages, carports and service areas should not present to the street. Locate such
elements to the rear of the development.
d. Open car parking areas and access ways should be constructed with permeable
surfaces. Use materials that reflect a ‘textured’ quality such as compacted earth,
stone, crushed rock, gravel, granitic sand etc. to merge with the bush setting. Hard
surface paving should be treated to complement the landscape of the area.
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.
f. Car parking spaces or associated access ways should not infringe on parkland.
Nillumbik Shire Council - Design Guidelines - Hurstbridge (Heidelberg Kinglake Road) Precinct
BC02: Boundary Treatments - Landscape
Objective:
Reinforce a strong presence of native vegetation within private allotments when viewed
from the street.
Design Guidelines and Directions:
a. Apply a ‘layered’ landscaping regime which incorporates canopy trees, shrub
planting and low lying plants.
b. Use plant/ tree species that are native/ indigenous to the local area. Avoid planting
exotic species.
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
garden setting.
Nillumbik Shire Council - Design Guidelines - Hurstbridge (Heidelberg Kinglake Road) Precinct
BC03: Boundary Treatments - Fencing
Objective:
Encourage front fences that offer a sense of openness from the street.
Design Guidelines and 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 transparent (which incorporates regular spacing between pickets and rails);
and

Constructed with light-weight materials, such as timber and muted coloured steel.
c. Side fences in front of the building should not be higher than 1.2m.
d. Side (behind building façade), rear or screen fences should not exceed 1.8m in
height.
e. For retaining walls design, refer to guidelines SD04 – Topography.
Nillumbik Shire Council - Design Guidelines - Hurstbridge (Heidelberg Kinglake Road) Precinct
BC04: Signage and Lighting
Objective:
Ensure signage will be minimised and integrated into the design of the building façade and
landscape setting.
Ensure lighting of development creates a safe environment and do not detract from the
bush character of the area.
Design Guidelines and Directions:
a. Signage on non-residential uses should be unobtrusive and proportionate to the
building façade. Signage should be located below the roof eave.
b. Where a non-residential development contains a number of tenancies, signs should
be consolidated and limited to 1 panel board, to avoid visual clutter.
c. The total advertisement area to each premises for a business identification sign
must not exceed 3m2.
d. Avoid extensive use of primary colours on signage.
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. Private
free standing street signage (‘A” frame) should be no larger than 1m in height,
800mm in width and 500mm in depth.
i.
Light spillage from signage and lighting should be contained within property lines.
Landscaping should not be relied upon to prevent light spillage into the public
realm. Illumination of driveways and car-parking areas should be subdued.
Nillumbik Shire Council - Design Guidelines - Hurstbridge (Heidelberg Kinglake Road) Precinct
j.
The brightness of lighting should be restricted to a level that protects the amenity of
the area.
k. Overhead lights must not be higher than the building height and must be baffled to
prevent light spilling into adjoining properties
l.
The design of lights and equipment should be simple in style and discrete in profile.
m. 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 - Hurstbridge (Heidelberg Kinglake Road) Precinct
Public Domain Guidelines
PD01: Access, Footpaths and Parking
Objectives:
Establish a consistent road and pedestrian space along the corridor.
Design Guidelines and Directions:
a. Avoid removal of existing canopy trees when locating new vehicle crossovers.
b. Given the Precinct’s main road setting, continue the profile of existing kerb
treatments and sealing of roads.
c. Ensure parallel parking along the roadway are clearly marked.
d. Avoid locating open car parking areas to front Heidelberg-Kinglake Road (Main
Road). If unavoidable, ensure a generous reserve of screen landscaping is
provided.
e. Use the combined treatment of asphalt and red brick edging for footpaths along
Heidelberg-Kinglake Road.
PD02: Landscape – Soft and Hard
Objective:
Continue the indigenous tree canopy as part of a flowing bushland landscape.
Ensure public spaces reflect a theme that responds to the bushland character and history
of Hurstbridge.
Design Guidelines and Directions:
a. Enhance and retain existing canopy trees, especially established native and
indigenous avenue planting along Heidelberg-Kinglake Road .
Nillumbik Shire Council - Design Guidelines - Hurstbridge (Heidelberg Kinglake Road) Precinct
b. The selection of street trees and plants should be indigenous to the area such a
eucalypts.
c. The location of new street trees should be within road verges and should generally
be no more than 10-15 metres apart and must be maintained following planting to
ensure their longevity.
d. Landscaping should be designed to minimise the visual impact of roadside parking
with low-lying shrubs and trees in tree pits where possible.
e. The bushland character and historical past should provide cues for any sculptural
elements such as public art. Public art is strongly encouraged at strategic locations
and should embrace the township’s context and aesthetic quality of the land.
PD03: Street Furniture, Lighting and Signage
Objective:
Ensure the signage, lighting and street infrastructure do not dominate the streetscape and
visual clutter is minimised.
Design Guidelines and 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, the traditional main
street setting and Council policy.
b. Timber should be primary material of street furniture. Materials should reflect the
bushland quality of the area and also the predominant use within buildings.
c. Street furniture should be designed to offer a ‘lightweight’ appearance through
narrow and discrete proportions.
Nillumbik Shire Council - Design Guidelines - Hurstbridge (Heidelberg Kinglake Road) Precinct
d. Informal seating is encouraged to occur on sites with large front setbacks with the
use of old timber logs, large boulders, etc.
e. Lights should be simple in appearance. Mock heritage or ornate features are to be
avoided.
f. New signage should be contemporary and incorporate materials familiar to the area
such as timber, iron, steel and stone.
g. Public signage should be compatible in design, scale, material, style, and colour
with the existing bushland qualities and with the overall streetscape.
h. Incorporate informational public signage that reveals the history of the township,
provides a narration of past activities and culture as well as historical gardens and
botanical species where of significance.
i.
Where possible, progressively reduce kerbside infrastructure to minimise visual
clutter. Limit the quantity of ‘A’ frame signage along key pedestrian routes and
shared ways.
j.
Power and phone lines should be placed underground wherever possible.
k. Subtle signage directing people to public toilets and amenities in the main street
precinct is required where appropriate.
Nillumbik Shire Council - Design Guidelines - Hurstbridge (Heidelberg Kinglake Road) Precinct
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
Nillumbik Shire Council - Design Guidelines - Hurstbridge (Heidelberg Kinglake Road) Precinct