Design - general - LIM - Open Space Landscape Infrastructure Manual

Design - general

Requirements for the design, manufacture and installation of embellishments

Warranty and asset life

Product/embellishment	Warranty (minimum)	Asset life (typical useful life)
Bayco sighter wire (or equivalent)	10 years	10 years
Recycled plastic	10 years	25 years ²
Aluminium	5 years	20-30 years ²
Timber	Varies	20 years ²
Steel	5 years	25 years ²

^{Source 2: Sunshine Coast Council Asset Management Plan 2017/18-2022/23 – Parks and Gardens (figure based on current data, subject to change).}

Once the location of the fences and gates has been decided, based on the Environment and Liveability Strategy (ELS) and Recreation Parks Plan (RPP) guidance, consider the appropriate embellishment level to suit the selected site.

Overarching design considerations:

All open spaces should include universal access (e.g. ensure the operation of gates caters for equal access).
Consider the method of safe operation associated with fences and gates (i.e. size, weight, material and method of safe operation).
Select appropriate fence type for the purpose.
Vehicle/maintenance access – typically all standard vehicle gates are minimum 3.6 m clearance for maintenance vehicles and emergency services (4.0 m clearance for environmental reserves). This clearance may require increasing in the following situations:
- the restricted manoeuvring area on site, requires a larger turning circle.
- non-standard wide/heavy machinery with frequent use, i.e. beach access and maintenance.

Design of fences and gates

Fences

Fences are installed to provide separation, protection or demarcation of boundary limits by creating a localised barrier, or to fully enclose a perimeter.

Fences deliver outcomes such as:

Human or animal exclusion
Security/direction
Safety/site protection
Boundary demarcation.

Fences at the side of a path used by cyclists are desirable where:

there is a steep batter or large vertical drop close to the path.
the path is adjacent to an arterial road and it is necessary to restrict cyclist access to the road.
a bridge or a culvert exists on a path.
a hazard exists adjacent to a bicycle facility.
cyclists are likely to be ‘at speed’ at an intersection between paths or around a path terminal ^{(Source: Austroads Guide to Road design Part 6a).}

Gates

Gates are installed to provide authorised pedestrian, equestrian and vehicle access, to restrict unauthorised access and to direct toward approved entry and exit points.

Gates must provide access for:

pedestrians, equestrians, mobility devices and/or assistance animals
authorised maintenance/emergency vehicles/temporary event vehicles
farm stock and native fauna.

Gates must not conflict with:

passing pedestrian traffic
passing human powered vehicles such as bicycles/wheelchairs
passing motor vehicles
motorised vehicles such as mobility scooters.

Barrier fence versus perimeter fence


Barrier fence	Perimeter fence
A barrier fence is made up of one or more than one fence panels installed to demarcate an area or provide protection for an area or for a user. A barrier fence provides: safety from known hazards such as open drains. clear identification of a border between two areas which require separation such as a road reserve and natural bushland. pedestrian or vehicle safety. pedestrian or vehicle guidance and direction to identify an entry or exit. protection for flora and fauna habitat. protection for wetland infrastructure. Protection from hazards may arise where there is a risk of: falling from a height. falling due to steep grade. falling onto an adverse surface such as rock, concrete or swiftly flowing water. environmental damage such as erosion. damage to places of cultural or heritage importance. quantifiable risk at a site. It is preferred to install handrails and balustrade on safety barriers in high profile locations, such as at district and Council wide parks. See LIM Handrails and balustrades for further guidance	A perimeter fence is installed to surround and enclose an area. The area is only accessible through pedestrian and vehicle gates. Perimeter fences are typically used to create areas, such as playgrounds, dog off leash parks, sports grounds, to separate areas of competing functions and to prevent unauthorised access to infrastructure which contains fragile ecosystems or elements of risk. They are designed to: enclose the whole or part of an area. protect/separate competing use areas, which may contain risk. include gates where required to prevent unauthorised access. Competing use areas which may require separation include: natural, semi-natural or planted areas and play spaces. spaces for low level interaction with the environment and bicycle paths. areas for picnics and public gatherings and areas for sports and games. playgrounds/play spaces and dog off leash areas. dog off leash areas and pathways. exercise equipment and dog off leash areas. Install perimeter fences in combination with natural elements where possible to prevent vehicles entering parks or open spaces. Select: Vegetation (trees and shrubs) Stone barriers (boulders).
MUST be designed following a risk analysis and certification by a professional Engineer, where applicable	MUST be designed following a risk analysis and certification by a professional Engineer, where applicable
Refer the following documents: Austroads Guidelines AS 2156 Walking tracks Part 1 Classification & signage AS 2156 Walking tracks Part 2 Infrastructure design.	Where a perimeter fence crosses an overland flow path refer to: Queensland Urban Drainage Manual (QUDM) Local Law 3: Community Health and Environmental Management (Part 5 Community safety hazards).

Selecting an appropriate fence and gate category

Fences and gates fall into the following categories:

Fences and gates designed for parks and gardens may be installed at environmental reserves and vice versa.

Special use fences and gates (such as, at stormwater infrastructure and wetlands) must be designed and engineered to suit the purpose.
Approval must be obtained from the asset custodian.

Note: Further technical information for Sport will be incorporated at a later date. In the interim, the basic Recreation/Landscape information can be adapted to suit the site specific solution required.

Disclaimer

Information contained in this document may change without notice and you should use the current material available from Council’s website and not rely on material previously printed or stored by you.

All figures and diagrams are intended to be used as an aid to design and include Council’s preferred elements but they are not intended to be prescriptive and may need to be varied as dictated by site specific factors. While Council has exercised reasonable care in preparing this document, it does not warrant or represent that it is accurate or complete. The Council will not accept responsibility for any loss, damage, cost or expense that you may incur as a result of the use of or reliance upon any material contained in this document.

This document is produced to convey general information and is not intended to constitute advice whether professional or legal. Any reference to legislation in this document is not an interpretation of the law. It is to be used as a guide only. Consult relevant authority websites for current documents, revisions and amendments.

Where a particular product or supplier is profiled in this document, Council is NOT nominating this product or supplier as the selected choice. Product/supplier information has been provided to allow users to source products which contain the correct elements required for Council embellishments. Each product profiled states ‘or equivalent’ which means that different products may be supplied provided they satisfy the identified performance criteria, recommended standards, equal access guidance and product specifications.

Product design, manufacture and installation requires appropriately qualified people to provide site specific solutions to ensure the embellishment is appropriately adapted to local conditions and data.

This document does not override requirements stipulated in a development approval. Project specific variations may be appropriate as a result of site, environmental or other constraints. Any variations to these standards must be approved in writing by council prior to commencement of variation works. Components of this document may be used within a contract document but users should undertake their own investigations to confirm the information is suitable for this purpose.

Drawings contained in this document are NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION.

Details in this document are deemed to be the minimum standard and the user may wish to apply a higher standard subject to approval by council.

Fences and gates