Collier Park Golf Course Masterplan

Contents Introduction

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The Course

5

The Pines

6

The Island Course

7

The Lake Course

8

General Areas

9

Entry Road

10

Carpark

11

Furniture and Signage

12

Appendix

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Introduction The brief to Urbis has been to analyse and make recommendation for the upgrade and improvement of the playing experience and visual amenity for Collier Golf Course. The imagery and designs contained within this report are intended to illustrate the potential of the course as an exciting golf experience as well as a stimulating stroll through a beautiful park. These design ideas are intended to form an integral part of the golf course upgrade. The design initiatives have been developed in conjunction with the City of South Perth, Golf Course Architect, Terry Gale and consultation with the current Golf Course management. An extensive process of site investigation, consultation with maintenance staff , experts such as Terry Gale and course golf staff and for some of us the opportunity to play the course, all provided us with a keen understanding of the potential of the course, with the capacity to return to its deserved position of preeminence, as the best Public Golf Course in Western Australia. This research has given the team an understanding of the issues impacting on the course; the golfers, the aesthetics and the way people find their way around the course both by foot and by cart. We now have an understanding of the natural assets of the existing course - its layout, setting, existing vegetation (both natural and planted) as well as the wetlands located within the course. All of these elements contribute to the potential of the project. Urbis has thoroughly reviewed all the data to produce this report. The report is broken into a number of headings. They are as follows: The Collier Park Golf Course Landscape Perimeter planting The Arrival Experience Entry Road Parking Furniture and Signage

The Course Three Courses in One

The Collier Park Golf Course is well known amongst the Perth golfing fraternity but currently does not do justice to its potential. It has a magnificent setting, gentle topography and close proximity to the city, all adding to its value and providing the basis for the upgrading of the course. . The pines are the most obvious and recognisable feature of the course. Their statuesque, clear stems and dense crowns form the basis of the character of a significant portion of the course. There are mixed sentiments about the pines. The next most recognisable features is the lakes. In the winter, when they are full of water they are impressive and in some cases, a challenge to golfers, but in the arid summers of Perth, when the water table has dropped, they can detract from the quality of the course. The third feature is the presence of remnant Perth sand plain vegetation, with copses of Tuart ( Eucalyptus gomphocephala )and Jarrah ( Eucalyptus marginata), prominent at various locations on the course. In addition to the large trees, understory plants add seasonal colour. These three are the key features of the course. In considering the history of the course, the proposal is to develop the course into three distinct character zones, each with its own character and features

Recommendations •

Use the established recognisable features of the course to develop three distinct 9 hole courses identified by the vegetation and natural features of the existing landscape.

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Make each hole distinct with understory planting that will provide identity and character.

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All new planting to be environmentally responsible and water wise to minimise water use and provide habitat for local fauna. It is worth noting that the Black Cockatoos of Perth depend upon the pines for a significant part of their diet.

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The Pines Landscape Assessment

This section of the course was cut into the pre-existing pine plantation giving the first 9 holes of the course the feeling of having been in place for a long period of time. The pines are majestic and give a North American feel to this section of the course. The towering pines are statuesque and imposing. They do, however, make management of course difficult as they tend to inhibit the understory landscape, whether it’s course turf or shrub planting. As the pine trees formed part of a plantation, they are all the same age and generally the same size, with little, if any regeneration. The trees are maturing and will all reach senescence within a similar time frame. This does cause significant management problems for the course over the longer period as the trees will mature and need significant arboriculture management as they age and begin to collapse all around the same time.

Recommendations •

The pines bring a distinct quality to the first 9 holes of the course and should be retained.

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The character of the pine or Northern American landscape should be built upon and a complementary understory landscape developed. There is an opportunity to add the character of the pines with the introduction of dry land under storey planting using plants from the same region as the pines.

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A regime of supplementary pine planting should be implemented to replace the mature pines in time.

Island Course Landscape Assessment

The Island nine derives its identity from the large, remnant wetland lake prominently located adjacent to holes 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 7th, and forms a central, focal element of this 9-hole ‘course’. The other key feature of this section of the course is the remnant Perth sand plain vegetation which occurs in the rough and between the fairways. Large Paperbarks ( Melaleuca rhaphiophylla), Jarrah and Tuart are prominent in this section of the course and where ever possible should be retained. As with the remainder of the original 18 holes of the course the indigenous trees are all old originals and as such are vulnerable to storm damage that could make them unsafe. They require careful management to preserve them and allow them to mature gracefully. In addition to the indigenous plant material,l there are a great many introduced tree species which, in most cases, are out of place and out of character with the course.

Recommendations •

The second 9 be characterised by local flora and in particular the replanting of local trees such as Paperbarks, Jarrah and Tuart.

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That each hole on the 9 use a local theme plant to provide character and identity.

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That the lake be developed to provide a source for irrigation supply – this forms a central piece of the irrigation plan and will be the subject of further study.

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That introduced trees and plants foreign to the area be removed over time to restore the local Perth sand plain landscape.

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Lake Course Landscape Assessment

The third 9 is very different to the original 18 holes.I It was developed on a restricted site and has a very different character. The area has very sparse tree planting and a much more open feel which offers the opportunity to develop a very different character. In this area, as with the Lake nine, a great variety of tree planting has occurred, much of it in a very ad hoc fashion. This section of the course has a rolling landscape and characterised by short holes.

Recommendations •

The key recommendation is that a links theme be adopted for this nine holes and that the ground cover and sparse tree planting be the focus of the landscape development.

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The links fits with the character and feel of the course and offers the opportunity to have an exciting yet contrasting golf experience both in play and in setting.

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The introduced trees be gradually removed and that local species replace them.

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That a strong seasonal landscape be developed possibly with the use of native grasses and swathes of everlastings. In the case of everlastings, they would need to be planted annually

General Areas Course Perimeter Planting

The perimeter of the course ironically is the face of the course to the majority of the public and neighbours, it is the window to the community. Presently much of this area is barren sand and underutilised There are patches of remnant sand plain vegetation which should be protected and enhanced.

Recommendations •

The area should be carefully managed from a fire management point of view but the character should be returned to bushland or Perth sand plain vegetation. This will provide habitat and ease of management.

Arrival Experience The course entry is located on Hayman Rd. This is a road with dual split carriageways and significant median and verge tree planting. The entry is located on the apex of a long sweeping curve. From the south, the entry is visible from the Kent Street roundabout and is easily identified prior to arriving at the slip lane, provided for safer access to the course. From the north, the experience is quite different. From this approach, the entry is partially obscured by the median planting and the lack of a right turn slip lane makes turning in heavy traffic precarious. With the entry gates and planting located on the title boundary, sighting the entry when approaching from the north is more difficult.

Recommendations •

To improve the arrival experience, a new entry feature and associated planting should be developed to aid identification of the course entry from a greater distance and to introduce the revitalised Collier Golf Course. The entry feature should reflect the new vision for the course using contemporary design and materials reflective of the theming within the course.

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Consideration should be given to providing a safer approach and access from the north. This may need to include a slip lane and some tree pruning or removal.

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Entry Road Landscape Assessment

The entry road sweeps from the entry gates on a gentle curve through to the car park. The first view passing through the entry gate is across the small lake to the 5th hole of the lake ‘course’. The view across the lake into the course is extremely attractive and provides an opportunity to develop a grand entry to the course. The banks of the lake are barren with patchy grass and sandy lake edge and in the summer, the low water level and roughly grassed detract from the quality of the arrival experience. The road edge is dominated by the soldier line of bollards on the western edge. The eastern edge by contrast, is formed by a degraded garden and random hedge planting to the foreground of a band of tree planting. The dominant trees in this area are remnant Eucalypts and Paperbarks in the wetter areas, but over the years ad hoc specimen trees have been added, trees as diverse a Cypress and Eastern Wattles have been planted. The planting needs to be rationalised to have any significant landscape value. A strong planting along the entry will add character and guide the visitor into the course complex. This is an important element for the success of the course and with this in mind, a concept design has been prepared for the entry. The concept includes the following:

Recommendations •

Extensive lake edge planting of low reeds and wetland plants to provide an attractive view across the water regardless of the water level in the lake.

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Over planting of the grass verge on the western edge of the road with low shrub and tree planting to provide an attractive foreground to the lake and enhance the entry experience. This will have the added advantage of reducing lawn mowing and maintenance costs.

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Provide an avenue of trees along the eastern verge to provide a grand avenue to give visitors a sense of arrival.

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Replace eastern verge planting with ornamental Australian plants contrasting with the woodland backdrop. In the woodland thin out the trees that are obviously out of place and replace with colorful local tree planting.

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Realign the road to provide better logical arrival sequence to the course and better access to the car park. This alignment provide for a better arrival experience with an overview of the course and the Clubhouse as well providing a logical flow of traffic into and out of the complex

Carpark Landscape Assessment

In reviewing the course, it became apparent that the present car park configuration is confusing and wasteful. The plan addresses the sequence of arrival and use of the car park as well as increasing the capacity from 250 bays to 350.

Recommendations •

A new road and car park layout be adopted to prove the maximum efficiency and safety for patrons.

There are 4 major issues identified in the present car park that need to addressed:

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The existing trees be removed and replaced with more appropriate species.

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That major changes to the car park be incrementally implemented to take into account the upgrade of the Clubhouse and facilities.

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Circulation within the car park both for vehicles and pedestrians Way finding Capacity Existing Trees

Circulation The current circulation within the car park is confusing and difficult to navigate especially for the first time visitor. Entry points are discrete and often obscured by landscape and trees. The western bays have no through access. Dedicated pedestrian access through the car park is limited to one path in the eastern section of the car park and the majority of patrons navigate through the car park on the asphalt sharing the space with incoming and outgoing vehicles. Whilst this is a common occurrence in golf course car parks, the configuration of the car park makes it particularly inconvenient and some cases unsafe, The one existing pedestrian path is poorly located and seldom used.

Capacity The brief required the car park capacity be increased by 100 bays to allow for future increases in patronage. There is plenty of capacity to increase the parking either by extending the existing car park or rationalising the present paved area. The proposal allows for an increase of 130+ bays without increasing the current car park footprint substantially. The removal of the existing trees also allows for a more efficient parking layout, and the installation of more appropriate tree species. By redesigning the car park circulation has been improved the most important outcome has been the provision of a logical sequence of access parking and egress allowing patrons logical and comfortable access and egress from the complex.

Existing Trees During the review of the car park it also became apparent that the existing trees in the car park are inappropriate and are causing sever damage to the tarmac. Casuarina cunninghamiana and Tipuana tipu species are renowned for having intrusive, aggressive root systems that cause damage not only to pavement but in the case of the Casuarina to infrastructure as well. Whilst these trees provide shade and amenit,y the problems they cause will increase over time.

Wayfinding Pedestrian access has been improved with the inclusion of large 4m wide islands at the ends of each car park sections allowing for the inclusion of wide paths that will guide pedestrians safely to defined crossing points and an access path that leads them to the clubhouse and proshop along the southern side of the ring road. Collier Park Golf Course Landscape Masterplan Report

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Furniture and Signage Visual Assessment

Way-finding, signage and furniture form an important component of an effective and efficient golf course. Presently , both signage and the furniture is limited. The furniture is dated and consists of a collection of a disparate range pieces. Signage is ineffective and limited. New signage that provides the necessary information for golfers to effectively and comfortably use the course is needed. In particular,r informative signage on each hole is needed as well some general directional signage. Whilst only a limited numbers of seats are necessary for the course to function effectively, it is important to select pieces that will be most appropriate to the course. Furniture needs to be carefully located where the need is greatest, such as at bottlenecks on the course, where players are waiting. to play the next hole, such as Par 3’s and the 1st Tee. At these points, seating and drinking fountains should be provided

Recommendations •

A new a new approach to signage on the course is necessary, including directional signage from the clubhouse to the respective areas of the course..All holes need to be provided with information boards showing tee locations, fairway layout, bunkers, hazards, locations of distance markers, par for the hole and hole length for men’s, ladies and championship. The sign locations will need to be addressed hole by hole to ensure maximum exposure and ease of reference.

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Fairway markers and way finding to the next tee should be provided for each hole at 100m, 150m and 200m marks on the edge of the fairway.

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Navigation between greens is also an issue and whilst the design of the course will guide players to the next tee some signage will be required.

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A new suite of furniture needs to replace the present dilapidated equipment.

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A new range of appropriate bins needs to be provided throughout the course.

Appendix The Masterplan

A

The Lake Course

B

The Island Course

C

The Pines Course

D

Carpark and Entry Detail

E

Furniture and Way Finding

F

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Sydney

Brisbane

Dubai

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Melbourne

Perth

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Ground Floor, 53 Ord Street West Perth, WA 6005 Tel: +618 9346 0500 Fax: +618 9321 7790

Australia Asia Middle East www.urbis.com.au [email protected] •

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