Matthews Reserve (on the corner of Struan Avenue and Moore Street) is an approximately 3,500 sqm park located near the northern boundary of City of Prospect. (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Location of Matthews Reserve from Open Space Strategy

As per the Open Space Strategy's predictions, Matthews Reserve was scheduled for an upgrade. A budget has now been allocated in the 2023-24 financial year for planning, design, and community consultation for the upgrade.

The funding for this project will be sourced from a specific budget proposal allocated for construction purposes. Construction is subject to future budget considerations and Council approval as set out in the Annual Business Plan and Budget.

The existing tennis courts, fencing and club rooms will be retained as they are. All existing trees and most of the open lawn space will also remain. The spinning net play equipment will be refurbished and relocated within the playground.

All existing play equipment and park furniture besides the spinning net will be removed and replaced as it has reached the end of its useful life. The existing stone planter will be removed to improve visibility and connections in the Park. Majority of the existing understorey planting will be removed and replaced with new landscaping to better utilise the space available.

Park furniture and equipment is recycled where possible, including stripping various components for recycling where appropriate.

No trees are currently proposed to be removed as part of the upgrade.

The consultation will influence the type and positioning of play equipment, park furniture and pathways. We are interested to hear which elements of the concept design the community prefers based on safety, accessibility and general use of the space. Note that the tennis courts and associated building will remain.

The feedback received in Round 2 community consultation will once again be summarised in an engagement report for Council and will inform the finalised concept plan for the reserve.

Construction is expected to commence in early 2026, subject to future budget considerations and Council approval as set out in the Annual Business Plan and Budget.

The current budget allocated from the Annual Business Plan and Budget 2023-24 for the planning and design of the Matthews Reserve upgrade is $60,000. Construction is subject to future budget considerations and Council approval as set out in the Annual Business Plan and Budget.

Round 1 of community consultation was conducted from 4 December 2023 to 14 January 2024 to understand the current usage of the park and gather insights into what the community desires as part of the upgrade. This feedback directly contributed to shaping the draft concept plan. Round 2 of community consultation gives the community opportunity to provide feedback on the draft concept plan, which will be used to shape the finalised design for the upgrade.