Road map Malvern to Mulgrave with proposed roads, undated but circa 1927-29
Title: Road Map Malvern to Mulgrave with proposed Highway; GLS; ROAD; MAP
A 13 December 1953 report in the Mountain District Free Press reports on these plans in the article The Mulgrave Shire That Might Have Been: Planner's Dream of 1927.
The following extracts from the Plan of general development: report of the Metropolitan Town Planning Commission 1929
explain the proposed roads in detail.
From pages 82-83:
Route No. 18 – Melbourne, Ashburton, and Ferntree Gully Highway
The railway extension from Darling to Glen Waverley which is being built and is already partly opened will foster settlement in those parts. Having regard to the extensive use to which the present approach roads to the city from the east and south-east will be put. it is essential that these existing and indirect routes should not be further congested by the additional traffic which will result from this new development.
When the Commission was planning the area to be served by that new suburban railway, provision was made in the Special Report submitted under date 6th May, 1927 (page 10), for a new arterial road. 120 feet wide, to carry the increased traffic anticipated from these districts. Its construction would have a far-reaching effect on the areas through which it passes. It is practically a completely new route, designed to pass through unbuilt-on and, in the main, unsubdivided areas for the greater part of its length.
It is planned to commence at the junction of the Burwood Ferntree Gully and Bavswater roads, just east of Dandenong Creek. After crossing Dandenong Creek at North Boundary-road practically midway between North Boundary-Highbury roads and High Street-road (see plan,Sheet No'. 14) it crosses Gardiner's Creek just north of High-street road and then crosses Boundary-road along the alinement of Baker-street (see plan, Sheet No. 10)…
This artery would effectively handle the road traffic between the City and the newly developing areas in the Ashburton and Glen Waverley regions and at the same time provide an attractive and direct through route for the extensive tourist traffic to the Dandenong Ranges. The various roads planned in the undeveloped areas that will feed this road will encourage through traffic to use it in preference to the tramline streets in the eastern suburbs, m a n y of winch even at present are uncomfortably crowded. This road has great possibilities as a future trunk highway, and its location is such that the cross movement from less important streets should not cause interruption to the traffic in the main road. If the volume of traffic on this road becomes greater than anticipated, further relief could be obtained by the construction of subways and/or bridges at its intersection with other important cross routes, because its location renders it particularly adaptable to a series of grade separations, which would allow of higher speeds and greater safety.
The contour maps of the areas through which this road is planned show that it would have grades considerably more favorable to traffic than the existing routes, as it has been planned to conform with the contours. Its provision is considered to be of vital importance in the general scheme, and in the section between Gardiner's Creek and Warrigal-road it would create a considerable enhancement in value of the land, bringing districts which are comparatively inaccessible into direct connexion with the City.
Several small sections of this road have already been included in the plans of subdivision since the issue of the Special Report dealing with the area to be served by the Darling to Glen Waverley Railway.
The following extracts are from pages 110-113 where relevant the City of Monash:
Gardiner to Oakleigh—via Gardiner's Creek—
A new road is planned, 100 feet wide, along the valley of Gardiner's Creek to leave Arterial Route No. 18 at the point of the confluence of Back and Gardiner's Creeks, east of Burke-road, and after passing over the new railway just east of East Malvern Station, to follow the eastern side of the old outer circle railway to Dandenong-road. This road should be obtained gradually as opportunity offers, and should not be costly. Its provision in conjunction with Arterial Route No. 18 would supply an alternative route to that via St. Kilda and Dandenong roads. From the central area to Oakleigh, it would also form an integral part of the scheme, referred to under "Parkways," for a continuous parkway drive from Sydney-road at Batman to Oakleigh, via the Merri Creek, Yarra River, and Gardiner's Creek
Burwood—Holmesglen—East Malvern—
Route No. 71, from Doncaster East along the eastern bank of Gardiner's Creek, is continued over Arterial Route No. 18 south-westerly to join The Boulevard at Warrigal-road just north of the new Holmesglen Station. The Boulevard would require to be widened on the creek side and then extended as part of the Gardiner's Creek parkway to join Waverley-road via Route No. 91 at East Malvern. Although also incorporated in the parkways, this route would be valuable as a diagonal main road giving access to the southern and south-eastern suburbs from the outer eastern areas
Wattle Park to Oakleigh, &c-—
The continuous north-south Boundary and Warrigal roads will gradually become of greater importance as development proceeds in the localities which they connect. Boundary road is the first existing north-south road on the east side of Burke-road and it is likely, in consequence, to have to accommodate considerable traffic in the future
It is unfortunate that a continuous north-south route does not exist between Boundary and Burke roads, in the municipality of Camberwell. The general street arrangement of Camberwell is an illustration of the evils of unco-ordinated land subdivisions. Although it would be of material benefit to that municipality if such a road existed ; it is considered that the difficulties which would be encountered in securing it at this stage of development would be too great to warrant a recommendation in its favour
The southern extensions of Warrigal-road over North-road are referred to as Route No.110
East Malvern—Scotchman's Creek—Wheeler's Hill—
Commencing as a continuation of Route No. 91 from the Gardiner's Creek parkway, a new road is proposed, 100 feet wide, following the valley of Scotchman's Creek, absorbing in places, several sections of existing planned streets, and generally following an easy grade about midway between Waverley and Ferntree Gully roads. The road would make a fine parkway as far as Springvale-road, east of which a width of 84 feet only is recommended. The major portion of this road can be procured at no cost. It traverses unsubdivided lands and can be incorporated in future plans of subdivision
Burwood—Kabbereng—East Oakleigh—
Bay View-road and Box Hill-road provide the continuation in this area of Route No. 69, which is one of the outer suburban ring roads shown in the diagrammatic plan. Midway between Waverley-road and Route No. 94, a deviation of Box Hill-road is proposed so as to avoid the steep grades at the crossing of a creek. In view of the difficulties created at East Oakleigh Station by the existing cross roads at the level crossing, special attention has been given to the road junction and railway crossing as shown on the plan, Sheet No. 11. Further continuation southerly of this route is described under No. Ill, which completes a route from Heidelberg and Doncaster to the Bay at Parkdale and Mordialloc
Burwood—Syndal— Wheeler's Hill—
In order to provide a diagonal route across the outer suburban area connecting with various other main routes, the opportunity has been taken to plan a new road, 84 feet wide, from Burwood-road at Middleborough-road south-easterly across Arterial Route No. 18 and crossing May's-road at Syndal Station, thence continued south-easterly to Ferntree Gully-road at Wheeler's Hill at the boundary of the area of planning. This route will assist traffic to reach the railway station, and it also provides an excellent, feeder to the proposed Arterial Rout*; No. 18, and the main Burwood-road. The area through which this road passes is not subdivided so that the ultimate road reserve can be obtained in plane of subdivision without compensation.
East Burwood Syndal—Notting Hill—
A new 84 feet road from Springvale-road, a little to the north of Highbury-road, southwesterly across Arterial Route No. 18 and across May's-road and Route No. 96 at Syndal Station to Ferntree Gully-road, midway between Netting Hill and Box Hill roads at Notting Hill, is planned to give cross suburban facilities and connexion to many other main roads. A small section of this road leading to the new Syndal Railway Station, on the south side, has already been incorporated in a plan of subdivision, and the whole route could be obtained in a similar manner.
Notting Hill to Clayton North—
Having regard to the distance between Box Hill-road and the proposed circumferential road (No. 99), it is proposed that Notting Hill-road and its continuation southerly from Ferntree Cully-road (Gardiner's Lane) be included in the main roads scheme, the latter also being extended southerly to join the outer suburban ring road at North-road
Circumferential Road—Glen Waverley District—
Southerly from the point where the circumferential route, 10(1 feet wide, is planned to cross Arterial Route No. 18, Route No. 75 is continued to join Springvale-road south of High Street-road, thence leaving Springvale-road immediately south of the Glen Waverley Railway Station to proceed south-westerly and southerly to cross North-road about
Circumferential Road—Glen Waverley District—
Southerly from the point where the circumferential route, 10(1 feet wide, is planned to cross Arterial Route No. 18, Route No. 75 is continued to join Springvale-road south of High Street-road, thence leaving Springvale-road immediately south of the Glen Waverley Railway Station to proceed south-westerly and southerly to cross North-road about midway between Springvale and May's roads. Portions of this route in the vicinity of the Glen Waverley Station have already been secured in plans of subdivision.
Route No. 118 is the further continuation of this road as a circumferential highway, and Route No. 112 is the one planned as its principal continuation as an outer ring road circumscribing the built up parts of the metropolis
Oakleigh to Bentleigh and Highett—
As practically the whole of the land between Warrigal and East Boundary roads is unsubdivided, the Commission planned a 66 feet diagonal road across this area from the intersection of Warrigal and North-roads to the junction of Centre and East Boundary roads. By so doing, and by utilizing existing roads, and new ones included in this schedule, an excellent cross suburban artery is provided at no cost
East Oakleigh—Heatherton—Mentone and Mordialloc—
The outer suburban ring road which is planned as a continuous route around the metropolitan area, the northerly extensions of which are made up of Manningham, Elgar, Box Hill, and other roads, is continued to the foreshore southerly from North-road at Eastoakleigh Station via Victoria-avenue (widened to 66 feet) and Clarinda road, the latter being extended due south across unsubdivided and open country the whole way to Lower Dandenong-road.
Main Outer Suburban Ring Road : Wheeler's Hill Clarinda—Cheltenham North Sandringham
This circumferential road, as already defined, has been planned 100 feet wide, Between Ferntree Gully-road and Mordialloc, it is outside the area of planning, but having regard to existing conditions and the ease of its provision, the 100 feet width should be continued diagonally across the vacant lands of the southern suburbs to connect with Bay-road, Sandringham, as follows :—From the circumferential route at Ferntree Gully-road at Wheeler's Hill south-westerly, crossing the intersection of Dandenong and North roads, thence 132 feet wide to the intersection of Old Dandenong-road, and the easterly extension of South-road, thence continuing south-westerly
Circumferential Route: Wheeler's Hill—Dingley—Mordialloc—
Existing thoroughfares outside the area of planning have permitted a route to be planned to continue the circumferential route last dealt with as Route No. 99, southerly from Ferntree Gully-road. From Ferntree Gully-road a 66-feet road is proposed to run southerly about midway between Springvale and May's roads to connect with an existing north-south road linking North and Dandenong roads. Thence the route follows a short new link into existing roads which cross the railway between Clayton and Springvale (see Map No. 4), and eventually connects with Centre Dandenong-road at the Old Dandenong-road.
Image source: PROV VPRS 12903/P0001, 579/04
Road map Malvern to Mulgrave with proposed roads, undated but circa 1927-29
Title: Road Map Malvern to Mulgrave with proposed Highway; GLS; ROAD; MAP
A 13 December 1953 report in the Mountain District Free Press reports on these plans in the article The Mulgrave Shire That Might Have Been: Planner's Dream of 1927.
The following extracts from the Plan of general development: report of the Metropolitan Town Planning Commission 1929
explain the proposed roads in detail.
From pages 82-83:
Route No. 18 – Melbourne, Ashburton, and Ferntree Gully Highway
The railway extension from Darling to Glen Waverley which is being built and is already partly opened will foster settlement in those parts. Having regard to the extensive use to which the present approach roads to the city from the east and south-east will be put. it is essential that these existing and indirect routes should not be further congested by the additional traffic which will result from this new development.
When the Commission was planning the area to be served by that new suburban railway, provision was made in the Special Report submitted under date 6th May, 1927 (page 10), for a new arterial road. 120 feet wide, to carry the increased traffic anticipated from these districts. Its construction would have a far-reaching effect on the areas through which it passes. It is practically a completely new route, designed to pass through unbuilt-on and, in the main, unsubdivided areas for the greater part of its length.
It is planned to commence at the junction of the Burwood Ferntree Gully and Bavswater roads, just east of Dandenong Creek. After crossing Dandenong Creek at North Boundary-road practically midway between North Boundary-Highbury roads and High Street-road (see plan,Sheet No'. 14) it crosses Gardiner's Creek just north of High-street road and then crosses Boundary-road along the alinement of Baker-street (see plan, Sheet No. 10)…
This artery would effectively handle the road traffic between the City and the newly developing areas in the Ashburton and Glen Waverley regions and at the same time provide an attractive and direct through route for the extensive tourist traffic to the Dandenong Ranges. The various roads planned in the undeveloped areas that will feed this road will encourage through traffic to use it in preference to the tramline streets in the eastern suburbs, m a n y of winch even at present are uncomfortably crowded. This road has great possibilities as a future trunk highway, and its location is such that the cross movement from less important streets should not cause interruption to the traffic in the main road. If the volume of traffic on this road becomes greater than anticipated, further relief could be obtained by the construction of subways and/or bridges at its intersection with other important cross routes, because its location renders it particularly adaptable to a series of grade separations, which would allow of higher speeds and greater safety.
The contour maps of the areas through which this road is planned show that it would have grades considerably more favorable to traffic than the existing routes, as it has been planned to conform with the contours. Its provision is considered to be of vital importance in the general scheme, and in the section between Gardiner's Creek and Warrigal-road it would create a considerable enhancement in value of the land, bringing districts which are comparatively inaccessible into direct connexion with the City.
Several small sections of this road have already been included in the plans of subdivision since the issue of the Special Report dealing with the area to be served by the Darling to Glen Waverley Railway.
The following extracts are from pages 110-113 where relevant the City of Monash:
Gardiner to Oakleigh—via Gardiner's Creek—
A new road is planned, 100 feet wide, along the valley of Gardiner's Creek to leave Arterial Route No. 18 at the point of the confluence of Back and Gardiner's Creeks, east of Burke-road, and after passing over the new railway just east of East Malvern Station, to follow the eastern side of the old outer circle railway to Dandenong-road. This road should be obtained gradually as opportunity offers, and should not be costly. Its provision in conjunction with Arterial Route No. 18 would supply an alternative route to that via St. Kilda and Dandenong roads. From the central area to Oakleigh, it would also form an integral part of the scheme, referred to under "Parkways," for a continuous parkway drive from Sydney-road at Batman to Oakleigh, via the Merri Creek, Yarra River, and Gardiner's Creek
Burwood—Holmesglen—East Malvern—
Route No. 71, from Doncaster East along the eastern bank of Gardiner's Creek, is continued over Arterial Route No. 18 south-westerly to join The Boulevard at Warrigal-road just north of the new Holmesglen Station. The Boulevard would require to be widened on the creek side and then extended as part of the Gardiner's Creek parkway to join Waverley-road via Route No. 91 at East Malvern. Although also incorporated in the parkways, this route would be valuable as a diagonal main road giving access to the southern and south-eastern suburbs from the outer eastern areas
Wattle Park to Oakleigh, &c-—
The continuous north-south Boundary and Warrigal roads will gradually become of greater importance as development proceeds in the localities which they connect. Boundary road is the first existing north-south road on the east side of Burke-road and it is likely, in consequence, to have to accommodate considerable traffic in the future
It is unfortunate that a continuous north-south route does not exist between Boundary and Burke roads, in the municipality of Camberwell. The general street arrangement of Camberwell is an illustration of the evils of unco-ordinated land subdivisions. Although it would be of material benefit to that municipality if such a road existed ; it is considered that the difficulties which would be encountered in securing it at this stage of development would be too great to warrant a recommendation in its favour
The southern extensions of Warrigal-road over North-road are referred to as Route No.110
East Malvern—Scotchman's Creek—Wheeler's Hill—
Commencing as a continuation of Route No. 91 from the Gardiner's Creek parkway, a new road is proposed, 100 feet wide, following the valley of Scotchman's Creek, absorbing in places, several sections of existing planned streets, and generally following an easy grade about midway between Waverley and Ferntree Gully roads. The road would make a fine parkway as far as Springvale-road, east of which a width of 84 feet only is recommended. The major portion of this road can be procured at no cost. It traverses unsubdivided lands and can be incorporated in future plans of subdivision
Burwood—Kabbereng—East Oakleigh—
Bay View-road and Box Hill-road provide the continuation in this area of Route No. 69, which is one of the outer suburban ring roads shown in the diagrammatic plan. Midway between Waverley-road and Route No. 94, a deviation of Box Hill-road is proposed so as to avoid the steep grades at the crossing of a creek. In view of the difficulties created at East Oakleigh Station by the existing cross roads at the level crossing, special attention has been given to the road junction and railway crossing as shown on the plan, Sheet No. 11. Further continuation southerly of this route is described under No. Ill, which completes a route from Heidelberg and Doncaster to the Bay at Parkdale and Mordialloc
Burwood—Syndal— Wheeler's Hill—
In order to provide a diagonal route across the outer suburban area connecting with various other main routes, the opportunity has been taken to plan a new road, 84 feet wide, from Burwood-road at Middleborough-road south-easterly across Arterial Route No. 18 and crossing May's-road at Syndal Station, thence continued south-easterly to Ferntree Gully-road at Wheeler's Hill at the boundary of the area of planning. This route will assist traffic to reach the railway station, and it also provides an excellent, feeder to the proposed Arterial Rout*; No. 18, and the main Burwood-road. The area through which this road passes is not subdivided so that the ultimate road reserve can be obtained in plane of subdivision without compensation.
East Burwood Syndal—Notting Hill—
A new 84 feet road from Springvale-road, a little to the north of Highbury-road, southwesterly across Arterial Route No. 18 and across May's-road and Route No. 96 at Syndal Station to Ferntree Gully-road, midway between Netting Hill and Box Hill roads at Notting Hill, is planned to give cross suburban facilities and connexion to many other main roads. A small section of this road leading to the new Syndal Railway Station, on the south side, has already been incorporated in a plan of subdivision, and the whole route could be obtained in a similar manner.
Notting Hill to Clayton North—
Having regard to the distance between Box Hill-road and the proposed circumferential road (No. 99), it is proposed that Notting Hill-road and its continuation southerly from Ferntree Cully-road (Gardiner's Lane) be included in the main roads scheme, the latter also being extended southerly to join the outer suburban ring road at North-road
Circumferential Road—Glen Waverley District—
Southerly from the point where the circumferential route, 10(1 feet wide, is planned to cross Arterial Route No. 18, Route No. 75 is continued to join Springvale-road south of High Street-road, thence leaving Springvale-road immediately south of the Glen Waverley Railway Station to proceed south-westerly and southerly to cross North-road about
Circumferential Road—Glen Waverley District—
Southerly from the point where the circumferential route, 10(1 feet wide, is planned to cross Arterial Route No. 18, Route No. 75 is continued to join Springvale-road south of High Street-road, thence leaving Springvale-road immediately south of the Glen Waverley Railway Station to proceed south-westerly and southerly to cross North-road about midway between Springvale and May's roads. Portions of this route in the vicinity of the Glen Waverley Station have already been secured in plans of subdivision.
Route No. 118 is the further continuation of this road as a circumferential highway, and Route No. 112 is the one planned as its principal continuation as an outer ring road circumscribing the built up parts of the metropolis
Oakleigh to Bentleigh and Highett—
As practically the whole of the land between Warrigal and East Boundary roads is unsubdivided, the Commission planned a 66 feet diagonal road across this area from the intersection of Warrigal and North-roads to the junction of Centre and East Boundary roads. By so doing, and by utilizing existing roads, and new ones included in this schedule, an excellent cross suburban artery is provided at no cost
East Oakleigh—Heatherton—Mentone and Mordialloc—
The outer suburban ring road which is planned as a continuous route around the metropolitan area, the northerly extensions of which are made up of Manningham, Elgar, Box Hill, and other roads, is continued to the foreshore southerly from North-road at Eastoakleigh Station via Victoria-avenue (widened to 66 feet) and Clarinda road, the latter being extended due south across unsubdivided and open country the whole way to Lower Dandenong-road.
Main Outer Suburban Ring Road : Wheeler's Hill Clarinda—Cheltenham North Sandringham
This circumferential road, as already defined, has been planned 100 feet wide, Between Ferntree Gully-road and Mordialloc, it is outside the area of planning, but having regard to existing conditions and the ease of its provision, the 100 feet width should be continued diagonally across the vacant lands of the southern suburbs to connect with Bay-road, Sandringham, as follows :—From the circumferential route at Ferntree Gully-road at Wheeler's Hill south-westerly, crossing the intersection of Dandenong and North roads, thence 132 feet wide to the intersection of Old Dandenong-road, and the easterly extension of South-road, thence continuing south-westerly
Circumferential Route: Wheeler's Hill—Dingley—Mordialloc—
Existing thoroughfares outside the area of planning have permitted a route to be planned to continue the circumferential route last dealt with as Route No. 99, southerly from Ferntree Gully-road. From Ferntree Gully-road a 66-feet road is proposed to run southerly about midway between Springvale and May's roads to connect with an existing north-south road linking North and Dandenong roads. Thence the route follows a short new link into existing roads which cross the railway between Clayton and Springvale (see Map No. 4), and eventually connects with Centre Dandenong-road at the Old Dandenong-road.
Image source: PROV VPRS 12903/P0001, 579/04