Draft Playground Strategy and Action Plan

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

Consultation has concluded

Council is asking you to have your say regarding the draft Playground Strategy and Action Plan to ensure it will fulfil the community’s expectations and desires for the future management of some of Council’s most popular assets.

Background

The Playground Strategy is used to guide the management, maintenance and design of playgrounds within the City of Burnside.

The first version of the City of Burnside’s Playground Strategy was endorsed in 2007 and has now been reviewed.

Why the review

The review was undertaken to ensure that the strategy remains relevant to the current needs and desires of the community while setting realistic goals in terms of management and maintenance of some of the City’s most popular assets.

The principles of the Playground Strategy remain the same, and the overall vision of the strategy is to provide “a range of play experiences that are accessible, safe and fun”.

See more on key changes in the Information section below.

Community Consultation

Council is seeking feedback on the draft Strategy and associated Playground Replacement Action Plan 2014 – 2025 before it is adopted.

You are invited to comment on the Playground Strategy and associated Playground Replacement Action Plan 2014 – 2025 that replaces the current Playground Strategy and indicate that it fulfils your expectations and desires for the future management of one of Council’s most popular assets.

The Playground Replacement Action Plan 2014 – 2025 guides the planning of playground upgrades and replacements. When upgrades and replacements are undertaken at individual playgrounds, separate engagements will be undertaken with the local community.

How do I have my say?

Have your say by completing the survey below by 5 pm Monday 7 July 2014.

Next Steps

The responses from the survey will be reviewed and collated and then presented in a report to Council that highlights where any appropriate changes may be required to the draft document.

It is anticipated that the report will be presented to Council at its meeting of 22 July 2014.

More information

If you would like further information, please contact Mark Buckerfield on 8366 4200 or by using the Email Us tab below.


Council is asking you to have your say regarding the draft Playground Strategy and Action Plan to ensure it will fulfil the community’s expectations and desires for the future management of some of Council’s most popular assets.

Background

The Playground Strategy is used to guide the management, maintenance and design of playgrounds within the City of Burnside.

The first version of the City of Burnside’s Playground Strategy was endorsed in 2007 and has now been reviewed.

Why the review

The review was undertaken to ensure that the strategy remains relevant to the current needs and desires of the community while setting realistic goals in terms of management and maintenance of some of the City’s most popular assets.

The principles of the Playground Strategy remain the same, and the overall vision of the strategy is to provide “a range of play experiences that are accessible, safe and fun”.

See more on key changes in the Information section below.

Community Consultation

Council is seeking feedback on the draft Strategy and associated Playground Replacement Action Plan 2014 – 2025 before it is adopted.

You are invited to comment on the Playground Strategy and associated Playground Replacement Action Plan 2014 – 2025 that replaces the current Playground Strategy and indicate that it fulfils your expectations and desires for the future management of one of Council’s most popular assets.

The Playground Replacement Action Plan 2014 – 2025 guides the planning of playground upgrades and replacements. When upgrades and replacements are undertaken at individual playgrounds, separate engagements will be undertaken with the local community.

How do I have my say?

Have your say by completing the survey below by 5 pm Monday 7 July 2014.

Next Steps

The responses from the survey will be reviewed and collated and then presented in a report to Council that highlights where any appropriate changes may be required to the draft document.

It is anticipated that the report will be presented to Council at its meeting of 22 July 2014.

More information

If you would like further information, please contact Mark Buckerfield on 8366 4200 or by using the Email Us tab below.


Consultation has concluded
  • Update

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    The Draft Playground Strategy and Action Plan engagement closed 7 July 2014. It was adopted by Council on 26 August 2014 and relates to the Be the Future of Burnside Strategic Community Plan 2012-2025, “a range of high quality sport and recreational opportunities and facilities that foster healthy lifestyle pursuits.”

    The Playground Strategy has undergone a desktop review to ensure the Strategy continues to provide a relevant and up to date strategic direction for the future provision and management of playgrounds within the City of Burnside. The adopted Strategy now refers to recent changes to the Australian Standards (where appropriate). Future works associated with the Playground Replacement Action Plan and ongoing maintenance of existing playground infrastructure will now have reference to those new Australian Standards.

    The Strategy and associated Playground Replacement Action Plans will be amended during the life of the documents to reflect the recently adopted changes to Australian Standards AS 4685 Parts 1 to 6. Unless these changes impact on the principles within the Strategy, the documents will be updated without reference back to Council.

    Future financial costs associated with the adoption of the Playground Replacement Action Plans will be considered as a normal part of future annual business planning cycle.

  • What are the key changes?

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link
    supporting image

    The review recommended that along with the Strategy document, a new Playground Replacement Action Plan 2014 – 2025 be developed.

    Playground Replacement Action Plan

    This new action plan comprises the ‘Priorities and Action Plan’ section from the original Strategy document. The new Action Plan will enable Council to update and reflect all upgrades and replacements as they occur, rather than waiting until the playground strategy is due to be reviewed again.

    Other Changes

    There are several minor changes to the strategy which include:

    Updated Data

    • Census data updated to 2011 numbers
    • References to Council’s Strategic Plan “Be the Future of Burnside 2012-2025” have been updated
    • New examples of well-designed playgrounds within the city have been added
    • Hierarchy classifications updated for upgraded playground

    Age Classification

    Introduction of a new age classification for each playground to help prioritise future redevelopments and as a guide for responding to customer enquiries. The age classification was developed as part of Council’s Sport and Recreation Strategy last year.

    Nature Play Space

    The suitability and allowance of nature play spaces have been reviewed and redefined.

    A ‘nature play space’ refers to a play space that provides children with access to a range of opportunities that reflect the natural world.

    While specific areas have not been formally identified by the Council as ‘nature play’ areas there is anecdotal evidence of creek beds in reserves such as Bell Yett Reserve and Kensington Gardens Reserve being used by children to explore and build ‘cubbies’ from logs and branches.

    It must be noted that developed nature play spaces require regular maintenance and monitoring to ensure they remain beneficial and safe.

    Further investigation and community consultation is required before a nature play space within the City of Burnside is developed.

    New Hierarchy Classification

    Introduction of a new Hierarchy classification for “facility based playgrounds”. This takes into account playgrounds not based in reserves and parks such as those at the Burnside Swimming Centre.