Eagle Upgrade Frequently Asked Questions

ASE has proposed plans that will aim to enrich the visitor experience and offer more things to do during their time at Arthurs Seat Eagle. With improved facilities and environmental design initiatives forming part of proposed upgrades, ASE is striving to make the precinct an even more memorable tourism destination.

The upgrades are designed to:

• Enhance the visitor experience
• Improve environmental sustainability
• Protect native vegetation and wildlife
• Modernise car park management and facilities

This masterplan reflects our dedication to balancing business objectives with environmental and community priorities.

ASE operates in a ‘Public Parks and Recreation Zone’, which permits activities like ours within ASE’s leasehold area. The proposed upgrades align with the zone’s guidelines and are confined to ASE’s designated footprint.

The upgrades are limited to ASE’s current lease footprint, with one exception — a potential footbridge to improve pedestrian safety and connectivity within the proposed precinct. This feature, which has been proposed in response to community feedback for greater pedestrian and road safety measures, is still under review.

In September 2024, ASE developed a masterplan vision that was submitted to the Department of Transport & Planning. Currently, the upgrades are in the Request for Information (RFI) phase. We are responding to feedback from various government agencies, consultants, and the community to refine the masterplan. ASE’s process adheres to all compliance standards and regulations.

The ASE team are continually seeking engagement and feedback from the community on additional areas for improvement and consideration in the schematic design stage that is now underway.

Key initiatives to date include:

• A community information session to present the masterplan and gather public input
  • Following the session, the presentation materials were made available on ASE’s website
• Ongoing consultation meetings with individuals and groups to address questions and/or concerns
• A comprehensive survey that informed the planning process
• The distribution of a community letterbox drop to local residents explaining the proposed upgrades
• The formation of a Community Reference Group (CRG)
• Regular project updates via ASE’s social media channels and monthly blogs available on our website

In October 2024, ASE hosted a Community Information Session to introduce the vision of the proposed upgrades to the community and gather public input to help inform the planning process.

The session covered:

• Why Arthurs Seat Eagle (ASE) is embarking on this upgrade project
• The community engagement process to date, and what engagement is planned for the future
• The proposed masterplan vision, with presentations from ASE’s CEO and the consultant team (Tract Consultants and Metier3) who are experts on the specific planning and architectural elements of the proposal
• Planning process and overview of the application, including detail on the development pathway made possible by the State Government
• Key enhancements including ESD initiatives, protection of native vegetation and wildlife, improved management of car parking
• Details on each of the proposed features of the upgrade plan
• A facilitated Q&A session

We commissioned comprehensive reports to guide responsible planning. These include:

• Architectural Package
• Planning Report
• Landscape Concept
• Visual Impact Assessment
• Flora & Fauna Assessment
• Sustainable Management Plan
• Traffic Engineering Assessment
• Arboricultural Assessment
• Bushfire Management Statement
• Infrastructure & Servicing Report
• Landslide Risk Assessment
• Acoustic Report
• Waste Management Plan
• Wind Impact Assessment
• Operational Management Plan

These assessments ensure the project meets high safety, sustainability, and environmental protection standards.

The ASE team has spent over 12 months seeking the input and advice of environmental and ecological experts on the most appropriate plans. Ideas and concepts for the upgrade have been scrutinised through the lens of environmental protection, consideration for wildlife and preservation of native vegetation. The ideas eventually put forward in the masterplan vision were only those that could pass stringent measures of environmentally sustainable design, exceeding many environmental standards.

ASE has engaged consultancy group Nature Advisory to seek further guidance on specific concerns raised about the potential impact on wildlife and undertake further studies on specific flora and fauna.

ASE’s team has also reached out to the Mornington Peninsula Koala Conservation group to engage in additional dialogue and incorporate their strategic feedback into the plans, with the specific intention of wildlife protection.

The specific plans being considered ensure no disruption to nocturnal patterns and avoid any barriers to the movement of wildlife.

ASE has committed to using low-intensity, shielded, and motion-activated lighting to minimise light pollution. Additionally, lighting for new infrastructure, such as the proposed footbridge and inside the Gateway Experience Centre, will comply with strict environmental standards to avoid disrupting nocturnal wildlife or the natural beauty of the night sky.

At this stage, the hours of operation will not be changing, which sees ASE close before nightfall for most of the year.

ASE maintains a robust Bushfire Management Plan, including:

• 150,000-litre water tanks for emergency use
• A detailed evacuation plan to ensure safety during bushfires
• The proposed upgrades will comply with the latest safety standards

ASE has commissioned further traffic engineering reports to respond to this issue. The traffic management and parking plans will provide a workable solution to ensure that the flow of vehicles is adequately managed between various car parks and facilities.

Planned improvements include:

• Optimised traffic flow
• Sustainable parking solutions
• Enhanced safety for pedestrians and wildlife
• Traffic engineering reports support these measures to ensure minimal disruption to the community

ASE is collaborating closely with the authorities such as VicRoads, to meet all safety requirements, and has commissioned a traffic engineering report to respond to community concerns. Furthermore, ASE is working alongside Nature Advisory and local conservation groups to mitigate wildlife risks. It is precisely for these reasons that we have proposed a footbridge over Arthurs Seat Road to create further safety measures for pedestrians, vehicles and wildlife.

The observation tower will be thoughtfully designed to blend with the natural landscape, using materials that complement the surroundings. The design of the new observation deck will ensure there are no view lines into the backyards of neighbours. Visual stimulations are being assessed to ensure the tower does not protrude or mar the landscape The proposed height will sit just above the line of the mature trees surrounding it. Final designs are still under review, with privacy for nearby residents being a priority.

We are committed to inclusivity, with features like wheelchair-accessible pathways, elevators, and sensory-friendly spaces to ensure all visitors can enjoy ASE. We are collaborating with disability advocacy groups to refine designs and meet universal access standards.

ASE has undertaken an economic impact assessment that details the local economic uplifts expected as a result of the upgrade works. The construction phase will generate $45.4m in economic output, creating approximately 113 jobs. Once operational, the project will generate $23.6m in economic output, creating approximately 121 jobs.

Detailed project updates including monthly blog updates, an online suggestion box and other relevant documents are available on our website. We encourage everyone to review the materials and share their thoughts.

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