ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING

Environmental Planning- Hobart Rivulet Park

Executive Summary

The purpose of this project is to develop a Hobart Rivulet Park strategic master plan to guide the future development and management of the parkland and open space along the rivulet. The project considers the entirety of the rivulet but focuses primarily on the section of the Hobart Rivulet Park between Molle Street to the Wellington Park boundary. It also considers the links in open space and use to surrounding areas such as the city centre area, Knocklofty and West Hobart. The preparation of the plan has involved extensive community consultation including meetings with key stakeholders, holding an experience workshop, a mail-out and web survey to landowners adjoining the Rivulet, an 'open day' and walks for the community, a survey of Hobart Rivulet Park users and contact was also made with individual landowners along the Hobart Rivulet where the master plan was considering the options for improving the connectivity of the open space and trail.

Table of Contents

Executive Summary2

Section 1: Introduction4

Background4

Purpose6

Approach8

Project Management9

Section 2: Values & Significance11

Climate11

Geology And Soils11

Hydrogen And Water Quality12

Significance of the Hobart Rivulet Park15

Section 3: Planning Context17

Review of existing Policies & Plans17

Community Views18

Section 4: Strategic Direction For the Hobart Rivulet Park24

Section 1: Introduction

Background

The Hobart Rivulet emerges from below The Springs in Wellington Park at an altitude of 700m to flow naturally over the Strickland Falls to South Hobart and into the city centre, where it is mainly underground before finally reaching the River Derwent near the Hobart Regatta grounds. The rivulet flows a distance of 9.5km into the Derwent Estuary. Map 1.1 shows the location of the Hobart Rivulet Park and the links to the CBD and other key parks and reserves within the City.

Hobart Rivulet - Map 1.1

The rivulet has been an important asset to all those that have lived within its catchment. For many thousands of years the Mouheneenner band of the South East tribe sourced fresh water and used the rivulet as a trail. The Rivulet was crucial to the early settlement and development pattern of Hobart.

It provided a good water supply, the source of power for running local mills and also a convenient dumping place for waste. However, the polluted waters aided the spread of disease and eventually led to measures for improving sanitation, redevelopment of land and diversion of the rivulet beneath the city centre. The rivulet also provided suitable flat land for local industries, commercial activities and residential living. One of the main purposes of the Rivulet has been and continues to be conveying stormwater and floodwaters to the Derwent River. (Australia, Resource Assessment Commission. 2009: 11)

There are many historic features of past use still evident today. This includes the Cascade Brewery, Cascade Female Factory, Cascade Gardens, old mill buildings, other industrial buildings, residences and infrastructure such as bridges and the constructed water diversion tunnels.

Today, the rivulet provides a valuable connection between the city and two of its greatest natural and recreational assets - the River Derwent and Mt ...