City of Prospect | Prospect Gardens/Narnu Wirra Playspace Upgrade

Have Your Say

A report was presented to Council on 19 January 2021 on the outcomes of the community consultation.

Council resolved to endorse the Revised Concept Plan to proceed to design, development and construction, and undertake community consultation on ‘By-law 5 – Dogs’ to address the issue of Dog on Leash Areas specifically relating to Prospect Gardens / Narnu Wirra.

It is anticipated the playspace upgrade will be completed by 30 June 2021.

You can read the Council Report and Minutes in the Key Documents section located on the right of this page.

We recently asked for your feedback on the Draft Prospect Gardens/Narnu Wirra Playspace Upgrade Concept Plan.

You told us that you had some concerns about it. The key themes of these concerns were:

Dogs - should be banned from playspace (ongoing problem with people not picking up after their dogs; children feeling scared of dogs)
Grass - needs to be maintained for play; picnics; cooling; etc.
Design is cluttered – tries to fit too much in to the space
Exercise equipment – doesn’t suit proposed location and isn’t needed
Play equipment doesn’t adequately cater for older children
Sandpit not appropriate – messy, health hazard (animal faeces; sharps, etc.)
Additional seating; BBQ and shade required.

We listened and have developed a Revised Draft Concept Plan (V2) in response to the feedback received.

View the Revised Concept Plan (V2) and read about the Key Features. Please note that dogs will not be allowed off-leash in the playspace area. As per Council’s By-Laws, the dog off-leash area is in the informal recreational lawn area (south-west of the precinct).

For more information on this, please read the “Key Features of Revised Concept Plan (V2)” and the FAQ’s under “About the Project”.

Community consultation was conducted from 9 – 29 November 2020.

Key Features of Revised Concept Plan (V2)

Dogs will not be allowed off-leash in the playspace area. As per Council’s By-Laws, the dog off-leash area is in the informal recreational lawn area (south-west of the precinct). Council Administration will recommend the installation of fencing around the western and southern sides of the informal recreational lawn area to prevent soccer balls from rolling onto the adjoining roads as well as dogs leaving the site. Refer to “Image 2: Prospect Gardens / Narnu Wirra Segments” for an image of the different areas of the precinct.

The dry creek bed has been replaced with a “floor is lava” theme, including nature play and a bridge to cross the “lava”.

The flying fox has been removed due to potential noise; its location (partially hidden on the side of the mound); taking up too much lawn area; and there is not enough space to provide one that is challenging and adventurous enough.

The fitness station has been relocated and replaced with an “Active Area” which will have static fitness equipment (monkey bars, chin up bars and parallel bars) available for both exercise and play.

A spinning seesaw has been added to target older kids.

The age range for the Dinosaur play equipment is 3-13 years old, where the younger children can interact with the sculpture at the base, and the older children can climb a variety of ways depending on their dexterity.

More lawn has been left for family gatherings near the existing BBQs.

A passive area at the southern end has been added along with ramp access up to the arbour.

The sandpit has been relocated and a digger and dinosaur discovery element have been added.

The proposed swings are a double swing set with a regular and a toddler seat.

Park furniture: 7 seats, 2 picnic settings, 2 BBQs, 3 bins, 1 drinking fountain.

Slight adjustments to the footpath, stairs and southern entry area.

Refer to “Image 1: Bubble Diagram Distinguishing Differing Usage Zones” showing the different uses of the playspace.

Project Background
Key Dates

Council’s Open Space Strategy identifies the priority parks for upgrades and the Prospect Gardens / Narnu Wirra playspace has been scheduled for an upgrade in the 2020/21 financial year.

City of Prospect was successful in receiving a grant as part of the Minister for Planning’s 2019-2020 Planning and Development Fund for the upgrade of the Prospect Gardens / Narnu Wirra. The total cost of the project is $437,000 with 50% ($218,500) coming from grant funding.

A Draft Concept Plan for the upgrade of Prospect Gardens / Narnu Wirra was developed by Council's Landscape Architect, drawing upon findings from the community consultation undertaken in late 2017.

Following community consultation undertaken in August – September 2020 on the Draft Concept Plan, a Revised Concept Plan (V2) was developed in response to the feedback received.

Stage 1 – Initial Consultation

2017

Initial consultation (Round 1) undertaken to gather information and determine what the community needs and expectations are for the Prospect Gardens/Narnu Wirra Playspace.
Stage 2 – Preparation and Endorsement of Draft Concept Plan

June - July 2020

Preparation of a Draft Concept Plan that reflects the information gathered from the Round 1 consultation and endorsement at the July Council Meeting for the Plan to go out for Community Consultation (Round 2).
Stage 3 – Consultation on Draft Concept Plan

August - September 2020

Consultation (Round 2) on Draft Concept Plan to refine the Plan and ensure it meets current community requirements and expectations.
Stage 4 - Amendment of Draft Concept Plan

October 2020

Councillor Workshop to discuss the outcomes of the community consultation (Round 2) and consider options to assist in the creation of the Revised Concept Plan (V2).
Stage 5 – Endorsement of Revised Concept Plan (V2)

27 October 2020

Council Endorsement of Revised Concept Plan (V2) for Community Consultation (Round 3).
Stage 6 – Consultation on Revised Concept Plan (V2)

9 – 29 November 2020

Community Consultation (Round 3) on the Revised Concept Plan (V2) to ensure it meets community requirements and expectations.
Stage 7 – Finalising of Concept Plan

December 2020

Finalising of Concept Plan in response to feedback received from Community Consultation (Round 3).
Stage 8 – Seek Council Endorsement

19 January 2021

Seek Council endorsement to proceed to documentation and construction.
Stage 9 – Commence Construction

Early 2021

Commence construction of new playspace.

Key Documents

Revised Concept Plan

Prospect Gardens/Narnu Wirra Playspace Upgrade Revised Concept Plan

Council Meeting Agenda and Minutes

Council Report 19/01/2021

Council Minutes 19/01/2021

Council Minutes - 27/10/2020

Council Report - 27/10/2020

Consultation Results

Summary of 2017 Consultation Results

Open Space Strategy

Project Area

Map of the Project Area

FAQS

Council’s Open Space Strategy identifies the priority parks for upgrades and the Prospect Gardens / Narnu Wirra playspace has been scheduled for an upgrade in the 2020/21 financial year.

City of Prospect was successful in receiving a State Government grant for the upgrade of the Prospect Gardens / Narnu Wirra Playspace. The total cost of the project is $437,000 with 50% ($218,500) coming from grant funding.

Drinking water fountain with dog bowl
Dog bag dispensers
2 x electric BBQ’s
Pergola
Seating
Picnic tables
Picnic shelter

Any of the furniture above that is at the end of its useful life will be replaced. We invite feedback on any additional furniture that is required.

Existing play structure with slide
Springer and rockers
Swing set
Flying fox

Some materials are recycled where possible, eg scrap metal. The rest is disposed of.

The trees have been assessed by an Arborist and all the trees will be retained.

The playspace will cater for children of all ages.

The project is limited to the upgrade of the playspace. Funds must be spent within the boundary of the playspace, including the hill with the arbour. The project does not extend to other areas of the Prospect Gardens/Narnu Wirra (eg, tennis courts, petanque club, etc) or any other parks, however we will be looking at fencing the south-west recreational lawn area as a separate project.

All feedback received will be collated by Council staff and reported to Council at the December 2020 Council Meeting for their consideration.

Construction will commence early 2021.

Dogs off-leash will not be allowed in the playspace area (in accordance with Council’s 2015 By-Law No. 5 – Dogs). The dog off-leash area is in the informal recreational lawn area (south-west corner of the precinct) and is recommended to be fenced.

A survey for the Prospect Gardens / Narnu Wirra playspace was undertaken in September 2017, providing options for play equipment and seeking feedback on what residents would like to see as part of an upgrade. Surveys were distributed to all residents that live within a 200 metre radius of the park and responses were compiled to determine the most appropriate components to be included in the draft Concept Plan.

The most common components were new play equipment (including a large play structure, cubby house, swings and climbing equipment); nature play; and more park furniture. 94% of respondents said they would visit the park more often if it were upgraded to suit their needs. The majority of children at the time of the survey fell into the 6-12 years age bracket.

A Draft Concept Plan was prepared in response to the community survey responses and further community consultation (Round 2) was undertaken. Many concerns were raised by respondents in this consultation and so a Revised Plan (V2) has been developed to address these concerns.

There has been a 3 year delay since the initial community consultation as funds were allocated to other projects at the time and the Open Space Strategy was still being developed and was in draft form. It was important for the Open Space Strategy to be endorsed to inform all future park upgrades. Since its endorsement by Council, funds have been allocated in Council’s Long Term Financial Plan each year to deliver the Open Space Strategy and Prospect Gardens/Narnu Wirra is listed for an upgrade in the 2020/21 financial year.

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