Your say on the future of Mentone

(1) Parking options without visual impact (2) revitalise Mentone with an authentic piazza (3) pedestrian underpass along with rail under road.

1) While additional parking is required I agree that the proposed 5 storey carpark is inappropriate and suggest that it be reduced in size with the reduced spaces catered for with the construction of an additional carpark behind Coles; this reduces the visual impact and while allows for parking options.

2) With regard to the bus interchange I suggest the best option is east of the station and that the section of Como Pde West and Mentone Pde from Florence Street to Balcombe Road be closed to all traffic providing an authentic piazza offering options as a relaxed & safe meeting area for shoppers / residents, for greater el fresco dining and possible community markets/entertainment. This area needs revitalising to provide experiences that are sadly only available in other municipalities. That part of Florence Street to Como Pde West that is to be closed for the proposed piazza should be reopened providing access to Florence Street and Mentone Pde.

3) A further suggestion is that the rail under Balcombe Road include pedestrian underpasses so that the safe crossing occurs without interrupting the flow of traffic that is leading to congestion that is all too apparent as Mentone and surrounding areas caters for more residents through multiple dwellings.

Terry M 12/12/17

I echo many of the comments below in regards to the inappropriateness of the 5 storey car park plans for next to Mentone Station. It beggars belief that anyone could have come up with this idea as being in any way in keeping with the historic village feel of Mentone. Most if not all new developments these days have underground parking - how about a plan for parking for the station area which incorporates some underground parking and thus does not become a monstrous eyesore.

Mentone is a precinct to protect from multi-story car parks or apartments on beachside and highway side. That gorgeous drive down Swanson street entering mentone should not be compromised. Florence street also provides a wide open, friendly and welcoming feel to a very busy meeting place full of school children and professionals at peak times - predominately on foot and in cars. The designs provide plenty of sunshine and wide open inviting spaces will work well with the existing heritage buildings. So don't be afraid to forfeit concrete for grass. Ensure there are a few more overpasses between mentone and cheltenham to help school children arrive home safely. The foot traffic is high in this locale.

Some good suggestions re putting 1-2 car park levels underground like the supermarkets do these days. Would add my opinion that the view of Kilbreda tower is a local heritage landmark in itself. Would strongly suggest any plans should not impede of this view from sourrounding streets. Swanston street being a great example.

Give us a break Kingston Council. Preserve the village. No five story mixed use over rail. The heritage connection between Como Pde East and West is significant. You have placed a heritage overlay on Como Pde East but for this to be relevant there must be a connection with the tower and village. No multi story car park please. And while your at it finish the work on Florence Street. How long do you need?

Multi-storey car parks. Do they actually still build these? I thought the concept was so antiquated as to be archaic in these modern times. I assume the powers that be would chop down as many trees as possible then make it from drab grey concrete so we can truly admire it as it decays.

The new York Times notes multi-storeys as "the grim afterthought of American design".

There were many meetings held regarding Balcombe Road, Mentone, level crossing removal. During these meetings all interested persons were given the opportunity to voice their concerns, etc. The main concern was that Sky Rail was not wanted. The decision for rail under road at Mentone was very well received. It was well known, from these meetings, that there would be a four storey car park at Balcombe Road near Swanston Street intersection – the general agreement was that this car park would be situated in such a way as to avoid blocking view of Kilbreda tower for car travellers to Mentone approaching from Swanston Street. There were suggestions that this car park, or part of it, could be built under ground – perhaps with connections to train platforms.
During these many meetings, it was made clear that there would be extensive consultation with all interested persons. Precinct Concept Plan was not made known to all interested persons. The brochure “Help shape Mentone’s future” was distributed at a pop-up information sharing session on 9 November. The brochure did not include any explanations by way of footnotes as to the meaning of the different colour shadings of the map. Further personal investigations revealed that a five storey car park is planned over rail lines and overlooking, overshadowing private properties including Kilbreda School - for girls. Mentone Pre School will also lose privacy for their young students. Two Primary Schools and Mentone Grammar are also nearby. This five storey, 17 metres, car park building does not make any sense. It is nearby to the still under construction Renaissance area which is, we are told, being built to beautify Mentone. Sky Rail was too high, too ugly, too noisy, and so on, and yet a car park building of similar depictions is being planned. That this five storey car park is even being contemplated is beyond comprehension.
Buses must remain in Mentone Parade – the main street of Mentone. Passenger buses must be convenient for bus passengers, this is nearby to shops and other forms of transport. Population of Mentone has increased greatly making it even more vital that shoppers and travellers have convenient access to shops when alighting from buses, trains, taxis, other vehicles. It is well known that passing trade is valuable to all types of shops. Pedestrians only limit this value. Passing traffic also enables other persons to shop in Mentone Parade.

The reason that people value the view of Kilbreda Tower is because it is the dominant feature of Mentone and it has historic beauty. A large part of Mentone’s beauty is found in the trees and open space along Como Pde West and Como Pde East. To destroy this by building a taller than Kilbreda tower 5-storey car-park across the road from Kilbreda would be to show callous disregard towards people who know and appreciate Mentone. No other train stations nearby (or possibly the whole way along the train line) have a 5-storey carpark. Kilbreda, the kindergarten and nearby residents do not want their privacy to be invaded or their security to be compromised by people looking into their backyards. Nearby property owners do not want the value of their property to drop as a result of the addition of such a huge building- or any building on that location. No one wanted skyrail and no one wants this 5-storey car park. Mentone will be known as the car-park slum of the Frankston train line if the 5-storey car park goes ahead. Rate-payers will not forget it if you add that building to Mentone.

The footpaths near Mentone shops are wider than are found in most suburbs, consequently, pedestrians do not lack space there. It is much better if traffic continues to be allowed to travel along Mentone Pde rather than turn it into a pedestrian only space. Neighbouring streets do not need extra traffic.

As a regular user of the buses that go to Mentone shops, I much prefer that they stay in Mentone Pde as they drop me off/ pick me up right near the shops or the train station. Putting them on the east side of the station would be inconvenient and also dangerous as every week day, there are 2 sessions of kindergarten (ie: 2 drop-offs and pick-ups). Parents often walk with younger siblings of kindergarten students many of whom on occasion can move rapidly and unexpectedly. Buses are difficult to stop quickly and would cause unnecessary danger. Many primary school students from the 2 nearby primary schools walk along Como Pde East or Station St and it is also an unnecessary and excessive risk to have buses travel near them.

I see no reason for the addition of a Boutique building on rail deck to Balcombe Rd. It currently has no purpose (as explained to me at the pop-up information session) and detracts from the view of anyone who enjoys viewing open space.

To repeat, no-one wanted skyrail and no-one wants an even worse version of skyrail in the form of a 17 m high, 5-storey carpark to be built over the future rail trench between Como Pde West and Como Pde East. Voters will be watching and remembering with regard to this at the local government level and at the state government level.

Following comments are offered :
Mentone Parade: should be fully pedestrianised with no vehicular traffic, of any sort , including bicycles, accessing the space. This would create a remarkable piazza facility associated with the station gardens. Commercial frontages to be serviced from the back area.
Bus Interchange : this should be re-located to the east side of the railway station in-line with the pedestrianising Mentone Parade. The draft plan is very specific in terms of existing individual bus services and the views of the operator. However it should be recognised that the State Government are committed to ending the current contractor provided arrangements and restoring the state based organisation. Re-locating to the east side of the station will have significant traffic movement advantages plus the environmental benefit of removing health hazardous diesel fumes !
Multi-storey Car Park : the Mentone community firmly rejected the Sky-Rail solution and to introduce a multi-storey car park is comparable to the unacceptable Sky-Rail in terms of its presence and impact on the prevailing Mentone built environment character and town-scape. Without challenge there is a need for adequate commuter parking. Instead of building above ground a non-invasive option is to underground the facility, dedicated to rail users , barrier operated with access/ egress by means of MYKI. Given that major earth moving activities will be undertaken to provide the "trench" and the new Mentone station then including developing the alternative underground car park is worthy of proper review. This is a once in a life time opportunity which should not be dismissed.
Traffic Management Plan - there is a pressing need to develop an effective traffic management plan for Mentone. Such a project demands a commitment on the part of a variety of public stakeholders, the business community, and residents. Such a plan should amongst other considerations include the development of clear-ways coupled with significant reduction of on-street parking to ensure traffic flow improvements.
Parking - the Council as a matter of priority require to develop , properly fund and implement as a priority an appropriate range of dedicated car parks specific facilities within the Mentone Activity hub. Such an undertaking readily lends itself to a public-private partnership funding and operating approach.

Allan Macintyre

We strongly oppose the building of the five storey car park at Mentone station. The Mentone village is an old area with significant historic atmosphere, a five storey car park simply does not belong in the heart of this beautiful area. It is not inkeeping with the amenity of the area. Additionally, Mentone Parade would not cope with the additional traffic, putting the many students and pedestrians at greater risk. No other station in this council region has a five storey car park and it is unfair to subject the residents of Mentone to such a hideous and unnecessary development.

I am writing regarding the multi storey car park Kingston Council intends to build.We have more than enough high rise apartments in the Mentone area. Mentone is an old area and the thought of having a 5 storey car park in the heart of the Mentone shops is outrageous.It will attract more criminal activity in the area as well as Graffiti.I own a house in Mentone and the value of my property will drop. Mentone Parade would not be able to cope with the traffic let alone the danger to all students that attend the schools.

The proposed 5 storey car park is a terrible modification to the agreed State government railway improvement plan.
A carpark is the most utilitarian building form, and in the unlikely event that you had a decent design, its size and placement would still be an imposition on our neighbourhood.
I find it difficult to imagine who could have come up with this idea, let alone how it came this far.

We as ratepayers and nearby residents are unhappy with the plan to build a 5 storey carpark at the southern end of the station, opposite Kilbreda College, its landmark tower and the Kindergarten. A multi storey carpark is more suited to either, the location opposite Swanston St as proposed by the Level Crossing Authority, or even tucked in behind the shops on the site currently a carpark, adjacent to Woolworths and Granary Lane. Take the muti storey carpark away from the new plaza and historical facade of the Kilbreda Tower. Then link this multi storey carpark to the station entrance via a pedestrian path as per the critical link at B1 on the map. No ugly views in the heritage area which is supposedly gaining a facelift.

Happy to see changes that have occurred so far. Concerned about Key direction 5 (3-4 story) Long term, the entire area surrounding the gardens are earmarked for high res, Como Parade shop, Petrol station site - even the lawn bowls site. Its important to maintain a visual openness for this immediate area as this is the heart of Mentone. I’d like to see advanced plantings of The large Palms that are iconic to the Mentone gardens carried through to the east side of the rail, further extending and enhancing the station gardens. ( Springvale station has about 15 large palms installed once it’s new station was complete. We also need a focal point in the gardens, such as a rotunda as there are often events held and temperary marquees are set up and they don’t do justice or are unsuitable for such events.
The inclusion of electric BBQs and drink fountains could encourage people to visit the gardens and stay for the afternoon. Currently, we don’t even have any BBQs within proximity to Mentone - not even Mentone footy/cricket oval. Inclusion of designated free wifi throughout the gardens/station area. Although the area on the Nth side of Balcombe has a small section covered over, my discussion with officers at the pop up shop yesterday claim that the actual area will more that likely be reduced to what is shown on current plan. I suggest that Council allocate a portion of its developers open space contribution that it receives from all the large developments that have/are occurring in this immediate area and extend this area to the North for a decent piece of usable open space to extend the heart of Mentone spilling into the North side of Balcombe rd - given that this part of Mentone falls well short of open space minimum requirements according to Council guidelines. This will also link both east and west side residents living in both 4 story buildings that straddle the rail.
The Como parade shops that back onto the rail could have a perfect opportunity to turn the back of their properties into a frontage. How good would it be to buy a coffee/ have a bite to eat in the morning with a lovely easterly position takingi g in the morning sun. Or just grab a drink on the go and straight onto the train. The only issue l see with this idea is the large open section of the rail directly behind these shops. Couldn’t the opening be covered with a heavy duty mesh that allows ventilation but also access to walk over and keep area open.
My last point relates to existing vegetation. The plans indicate existing vegetation on the East side of the rail, just north of Balcombe red. There is an extensive row of Acacia Melanoxylon. Please retain these trees as they provide a much needed softening as you enter through the 4 story buildings to Mentone. They are a corridor link with other trees. There has been exemptions/allowances to LXRA tree removal in other areas. Please retain as much of the existing vegetation as possible.

I like the plan overall and has some great improvements over the original one that the Level Crossing Authority had in the initial design. The main improvements are the improved garden space including the piece on the northern side of Balcombe rd and the location change for the car park space. I do like the thought in the overall use of the space for the longer term view and also the fit for the township. This is what was missing in all earlier designs shared by the LXRA.
One thing I would like to see reviewed is the height of the "Boutique Building" on Balcombe rd (5). If this is 3-4 stories it may restrict some view of the Kilbreda tower from the Swanston St/Balcombe rd area meaning that side of Mentone becomes a little more separated from this iconic part of the town. I know you have highlighted this view as an important one. Looks like you have tried to do so but so important would like to see that extra validation done. I can understand the importance of having this as a part of the overall plan though and a Big tick overall on your planning ideas....really hope this is what is used to form what the LXRA takes forward.

Overall, I think the plan looks good and I am keen to see it implemented. I agree that any new construction needs to be sympathetic with the existing shapes and styles of Mentone's roof lines so we do not get competing angular pointy bits poking into the sky! I hope my interpretation of the tables included in the plan are the same as the authors'. I am concerned about the impact of vehicles at the entrance of the multi-storey car park, on Como Pde West. The roadway here and in approach is narrow and I wonder how the streets in the area will cope with a greater number of vehicles moving in and out, particularly in the peak times. Commercial Road already sees too much cut-through traffic, and I am concerned this will increase. Council needs to keep monitoring this area and keep its resident parking and permit system open to review.

Your say on the future of Mentone
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Not confident to proceed any further with these confusing messages - please bring to the attention of Tara Bell 30 Oct 2017