1.4

Design Guideline

Building Aesthetics

Goulburn Valley Water

1.4 Building Aesthetics - Design Guideline

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Table of Contents

Description: ................................................................................................................................................... 3

Objective: ....................................................................................................................................................... 3

Component Description: ............................................................................................................................... 3

1. Site Context ............................................................................................................................................ 3

2. Visual Assessment ................................................................................................................................ 4

3. Materials ................................................................................................................................................ 4

4. Landscape Treatment ........................................................................................................................... 5

Schematic Plans: .......................................................................................................................................... 7

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Description:

Goulburn Valley Water assets that are above ground impact on the environment surrounding them.

All designs must consider the aesthetic implications of the asset on the surrounds and be designed

to complement and add to the surrounding environment.

Objective:

This manual provides the principles to guide in the aesthetic aspects of design for new Goulburn

Valley Water assets. It suggests approaches to ensure that the aesthetic impact of assets on their

location is reduced.

The aim of this guideline is to ensure that Goulburn Valley Water assets are not noticed by the

community or, alternatively, seen as a feature, not an eyesore.

The guidelines highlight the importance of the aesthetics of assets but they must be considered as

only one component of a complete triple bottom line solution. Functionality and operational

requirements remain paramount.

Risk:

This Guideline may identify some risks and provides guidance in mitigating these risks. However a

further site specific assessment and/or HAZOP are required to address other risks.

Component Description:

1. Site Context The location and nature of the adjacent land use is to be considered as a major determinant

of the potential physical impact of the works on the surrounding area.

Sites with close proximity to urban development, or within areas of scenic, cultural or historical

significance are to be sensitively treated.

Locations positioned along key traffic routes and which form part of tourist activity areas (eg

water edge or within parkland settings) are to be given a high quality design treatment.

The extent of consideration needs to reflect the nature of the site and potential impact on the

immediate and local environment.

Consultation principles for effective public participation should be applied in accordance with

the IAP2 process where applicable to consult adjoining landowners and stakeholders.

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2. Visual Assessment The scale of the installation, its setback from key viewing locations and the nature of the

existing topography and vegetation are to be considered in the required design response.

Photographic documentation of the immediate surrounds is required, and the evaluation of

the potential exposure and impact of the installation is required.

Opportunities for visual absorption using background planting and earth berms are to be

considered.

Assets must be designed to minimise impacts on skyline views and areas of high visual

quality.

Building augmentations and/or additions must be in harmony with, and of a similar form to,

existing buildings where possible. The intention is to add to the aesthetics of the area.

3. Materials Colour selection is to respond to the visual context of the site.

The materials utilised in existing buildings on the site or adjacent properties should be

considered for incorporation into the new structure as it aids the new building to blend into

the existing site. Alternatively, where existing buildings have undesirable aesthetic

characteristics, the opportunity could be taken to match their faade to the new building style

(i.e. bagging and rendering concrete/brick walls).

Subject to the site specific assessment, the preferred colour schemes are listed in

Table 1.

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Table 1 Goulburn Valley Water standard colour scheme

Applications Colour name and Basic identification

Brick Buildings (cement block

bricks to be avoided where

possible)

Maple Blaze Bricks

Precast & Tilt-up concrete for

buildings

Formliner finish or coloured render (such as Shepparton water

treatment DAFF plant)

Cast in situ concrete Coloured render (such as Shepparton water treatment DAFF

plant) when determined to be appropriate

Any externally painted wall Colorbond Classic Cream

Colour bond roof Colorbond Classic Cream

Internal Ceiling White

Internal walls Light Beige

Floor Tiles Sandstone

Bench Tops Champagne

Workstations Lamminex Oyster Grey flint finish

Vertical Blinds Beige

Trimmings on buildings Colorbond Classic Cream

Down Pipes & Guttering Colorbond Classic Cream

Security Fence Black Mesh (refer to 1.5 Security Fencing GVW Assets)

Brushwood (or similar) screening fences should be used where

it is preferred to minimise intrusion of our facilities.

Lime silo White

Internal Switchboards Refer to GVW General Electrical Specification

External Switchboards Refer to GVW General Electrical Specification

Pipes As per AS 1345-1995 (all pipes must be labelled complete with

directional flow arrows)

4. Landscape Treatment Where the site is prominent or the scale of the installation has increased potential visual

impact, the use of vegetation treatments to ameliorate site impacts is required. This is to be

specified in a landscaping plan with an accompanying planting schedule and specification.

The plan shall indicate the extent of plantings, the ultimate height of plant material, the

composition and the density of planting. Refer to Figure 1 for an example of a planting

scheme.

The landscape design should incorporate water sensitive design principles requiring low

maintenance, use of plants appropriate for the local environment preferably indigenous

and minimise water use.

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5. Process Delivery Subject to the above considerations, measures to be considered should include:

Building aesthetics is to be considered at all stages of the project and included as a specific item in the project scope.

Engagement of an architect to provide for professional advice and design of structure in sensitive cases where it is deemed necessary;

Engagement of a landscape architect to provide for professional advice;

Consultation with adjoining property owners and other stakeholders (council);

Consultation with the District Manager and personnel; and

Preparation of suitable plans to assist with the consultation and approval process.

In the event of differing views the proposed arrangements are to be referred to the GM Technical

Services.

Version No. Date Description Prepared by: Approved by:

1.0 June 2009 Original draft issue Andrew Hickey Steven Nash

2.0 July 2009 Revised and submitted for approval Steven Nash Allen Gale

3.0 Sept 2010 Revised Format Jeff Block Michael Welk

3.1 Sept 2012 New numbering and front page design Adam Glasson Michael Welk

3.2 June 2013 Added risk section Adam Glasson Michael Welk

3.3 Feb 2014 Referred security fence and switchboard

colors to appropriate design guidelines

Adam Glasson Michael Welk

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Schematic Plans:

Figure 1 Plantation Planting

Figure 2 presents a snap shot of the principles that should be considered in the assessment of a site

for both major and minor GVW installations.

The preparation of similar concept plans with the design and layout plan for the structure will assist

in the consultation and approval process for the project.

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Figure 2 Schematic Layout Plan of Major and Minor Installations