Agenda Item 14.4.1

Report No 183 /18 cncl

TO: ORDINARY COUNCIL - MONDAY 26 NOVEMBER 2018

SUBJECT: COMMUNITY OUTDOOR SPACE

AUTHOR: DIRECTOR TECHNICAL SERVICES - SCOTT ALLEN

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report is to provide Council with information pertaining to the proposed Community Outdoor Space within the CBD area

RECOMMENDATION

That Council approves the following recommendations:

1. Council endorses the Community Outdoor Space Business Plan2. Council establishes a Project Working Group3. The Project Working Group coordinates a meeting with the Northern Territory

Government to discuss the Community Open Space proposal, design concepts, park location and funding opportunities

1. BACKGROUND

Deputy Mayor Paterson distributed a Community Outdoor Space - Business Plan which was discussed at the November 2018 Council Technical Services Committee Meeting.

COMMUNITY OUTDOOR SPACE

BUSINESS PLAN

Business Plan prepared by - Cr. Matt Paterson 01/11/2018

Community Outdoor Space - Business Study

Report No 183 /18 cncl Page 2 of 3

2. DISCUSSION

Following discussions at the November 2018 Council Technical Services Committee Meeting, Council requested the business plan be tabled at the November 2018 Council Ordinary Meeting for further discussion and action.

The Community Outdoor Space - Business Plan contains the following information:• Executive Summary• Background

» Current Parks » Disabled Friendly Parks » Skate Park

• Equal Opportunities• Community Outdoor Space• Youth Engagement• What Can We Include• Cost of the Project and Funding• Location• Cultural Consideration• Amenities• Car Parking• Pros, Cons and Considerations• Possible Site Layout

3. POLICY IMPACTS

Alice Springs Town Council Strategic Plan 2018 to 2021

Objective 1: A dynamic community 1.1: Inclusiveness and Support

1.1.2: Promote community engagement, cohesion and safety 1.1.3: Proactively embrace diversity, ensuring equitable participation opportunities

1.3: Safe and reliable public infrastructure1.3.5: Advocate Northern Territory Government and Commonwealth Government partnerships with Council, to establish suitable, contemporary community facilities

Objective 2: A great place to live2.1: Community life, promoting a healthy, vibrant culture

2.1.1: Provide sport, recreation and leisure opportunities, which maximise social capital 2.1.2: Promote active lifestyles for people of all ages2.1.3: Advocate for the continuation and enhancement of transport options to ensure Alice Springs is an ongoing part of the national transport network

2.2: Sense of place and public amenity2.2.1: Maintain and improve built and social infrastructure in open spaces, by adopting placemaking strategies2.2.2: Ensure vibrant, multi-functional options in dedicated public open spaces

Report No 183 /18 cncl Page 3 of 3

Objective 3: Leadership in sustainability3.3: Support a healthy, natural living environment

3.3.1: Support a healthy, natural living environment

4. FINANCIAL IMPACTS

Council has not allocated any budget for this project. Ongoing maintenance costs will need to be budgeted into budget discussions. The green open space will increase Council’s water usage.

Estimated project cost - $2.5M.

Project Working Group will investigate options for external funding options including:» Northern Territory Government » Commonwealth Government

5. SOCIAL IMPACTS

The Community Outdoor Space will have positive impacts on the community. It will be an area that due to its close proximity to the CBD area, will attract families who can utilise the new infrastructure and green open space.

The area will also have the potential to attract anti-social behaviour, vandalism and graffiti. This would need to be monitored and managed.

6. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

The Community Outdoor Space will provide a green open space plus playground areas which will improve the environmental aspects of the area.

Due to the Community Outdoor Space’s close proximity to the Todd River, the area has the potential to experience flooding.

The trees within the immediate vicinity of the Community Open Space area will need to be protected from damage.

7. PUBLIC RELATIONS

The construction of a Community Outdoor Space within walking distance of the CBD will have a positive impact on the community. The project has the ability to provide a plethora of alternative play options including all accessibility playground equipment.

The project could also show the community of the ability of Council and NTG to work collaboratively together to deliver high quality projects for the community of Alice Springs.

8. ATTACHMENTS

Attachment A: Community Outdoor Space - Business Plan

Scott AllenDIRECTOR TECHNICAL SERVICES

ATTACHMENT A

COMMUNITY OUTDOOR SPACE

BUSINESS PLAN

Business Plan prepared by-Cr. Matt Paterson 01/11/2018

Community Outdoor Space - Business Study

Contents -1. Executive Summary Page 22. Background Page 33. Equal opportunities Page 44. Community outdoor space Page 55. Youth Engagement Page 56. What can we include Page 67. Cost of the project and funding Page 68. Location Page 79. Cultural Consideration Page 810. Amenities Page 811. Carparking Page 812. Pros, Cons, and considerations Page 813. Possible site layout Page 9

Image on front page from - FACEBOOK (From Darwin Esplanade)

Community Outdoor Space - Business Study -1 -

Executive Summary -

This report has been provided as a business plan for the proposal of a Community Outdoor Space within Alice Springs. This report provides analysis of the location, an estimation of costs, and possible infrastructure within the space.

It has been identified that there is need to have an easily accessible space for all to use within the CBD. A one of a kind design that celebrates the natural surrounds of the landscape, and delivers a development that is beneficial to our community, yet respects the cultural sensitivities surrounding the area.

This proposal outlines key points that will make this project a success such as - easy and accessible parking, a disabled friendly space that promotes inclusion within our community, existing amenities on site and the closeness to cafes and shops.

This report discusses the importance of including our youth in the decision making of the project and how their influence is important and offers opportunities throughout the project.

Community Outdoor Space - Business Study - 2 -

Background -

Current Parks -

Alice Springs Town Council currently maintains 71 parks within the municipality of Alice Springs. These parks include things such as green space, play equipment, bike tracks.

Disabled Friendly Parks -

There is currently 1 disabled friendly swing located at Frances Smith Park. This site includes a Liberty swing. The site is locked and to gain access, contact with council must be made. Inside the fenced area is also play equipment.

Skate Park -

Alice Springs has 1 Skate park. Located on Speed Street, adjacent to the Alice Springs Aquatic and Leisure Centre, it is also located adjacent to the Stuart Highway. The Skate Park was built in 2004. The current skate park has had nosignificant upgrades with maintenance provided when required. Sections of the park are cracked, banks have been washed away and generally, the facility is in need of repair.

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Equal OpportunityThe Alice Springs Town Council Strategic Plan (2018-2021), indicates several key points in regards to diversity and participation opportunities.

1.1: Inclusiveness and support1.1.2 - Promote community engagement, cohesion and safety.1.1.3 - Proactively embrace diversity, ensuring equitable participation opportunities.2.1: Community life promoting a healthy, vibrant culture.2.1.1 - Provide sport, recreation and leisure opportunities, which maximise social capital.2.1.2 - Promote active lifestyles for people of all ages.

1 in 5 Australians have a disability. This project can be a place for all people to use. Making this space disabled friendly with suitable play equipment, soft fall rubber flooring and visual stimulation can maximise physical, social and cognitive play for all.

1 in 4 children beween the ages of 2-17 in Australia are either overweight or obese. More then 44% of children spend more than 2 hours per day on inactive leisure activities.

Image from - www.touchedbyolivia.com.au

Community Outdoor Space - Business Study -4-

Community Outdoor Space -The project gives the opportunity to create an inclusive environment that offers equal opportunities to a diverse range of people. This space is easily accessible, and within minutes of cafes and coffee outlets.

As it is in the heart of our CBD there is a connection to nature and community.With an environmentally friendly design of the park, incorporating CPTED, solar lighting etc it can be a safe space for all people to use.

Youth Engagement -This community space can empower the youth of Central Australia to be involved in the decision making through an ambassador program. This program can enable youth from the beginning of the project as ambassadors, then through the design stage and into planning for future requirements for the outdoor space. Often our young people are left out of the decision-making process in outcomes that affect them directly. Empowering our youth through shared decision making creates opportunities to learn, practise and an increase of skills. Studies suggest that engaging youth in meaningful activities can help youth gain vital skills, responsibilities and confidence necessary in becoming healthy adults.

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What can we include in the Community outdoor Space -Some things that can be included in the park

• Half-court basketball court• Smart tree• Disabled friendly space• Table tennis table• Play equipment• Soft cushion ground in areas• Accessible swings• Liberty swing• Skate section• Modular design skate area, so

sections are interchangeable with each other

• LED Solar lighting• Suitable tables and chairs

• Extension of green space (connecting to the existing Wills St Park)

• Work-out station• Environmentally friendly design

incorporating CPTED

Image - Example of possible space from - www.convic.com.au

Lots of shade, with the possibility to include solar panels on roof of shade.Public Health notice board. (This can be a message board that is rotated monthly, that talks about healthy options for our kids. It can be in partnership with Centrecorp/ Congress/Tangentyere etc. in different Indigenous languages)

Costs of the project and Funding -Early estimates range from $2,000,000 - $2,500,000. However, this may differ on the final decision of what is included in the park.There will be a maintenance cost per annum, this will also depend on what infrastructure is decided on.

Another key indicator in the ASTC Strategic plan -1.3 - Safe and reliable public infrastructure1.3.5 - Advocate Northern Territory Government and Commonwealth Government partnerships with council, to establish suitable, contemporary community facilities.

Community Outdoor Space - Business Study -6-

Location -The proposed site is located on Leichardt Terrace adjacent to Parsons Street. This is within the boundaries of Alice Springs CBD. The site is a restricted works area, however this does not mean that works cannot be carried out. The site is currently under-utilised due to poor visual surveillance and a perception of unsavoury behaviour.

The location has the potential to be a gathering area for Mums & Dads to bring their children into town and to promote social cohesion. It has the possibility of maintaining and improving future positive social interactions.The site belongs to the Alice Springs Town Council, and the estimated size of the land is approximately 5,500 m2.

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Cultural Consideration -

As the proposed location is on the bed of the Todd River, this site can have a strong connection to country, however there are obvious considerations that must be made.

There are a number of large, developed trees within the proposed location. Understanding cultural sensitivities these trees will not be touched during the works and will provide natural shade for the outdoor space. A way to protect the trees could be to install balustrades around the trees with aboriginal art work on them.

There will be cultural elements to the design, such as the layout of the project. This is shown on page 9 as an example that a goanna can be the layout for the community space. (Please note: This is an example only).

There are opportunities within the space to celebrate Aboriginal art work that can be painted on equipment, or the base of some areas adding important cultural elements to the project.

Amenities -There are amenities located within the site.

Location Pros -• Accessible for everyone• Plenty of parking around space• Amenities present• Engaging the CBD

Location Considerations -• Flooding• Trees• Existing Footpath/bike path already in site

Car Parking -As the proposed site is located within the CBD, there is suitable car parking adjacent to the space. The carparks are prominently used by workers in the Alice Plaza and Todd Mall. There are 70 car spaces (these include 4 disabled friendly space) with direct access of the proposed site. No carparks will be lost to the proposed project.

Location Cons -• Restricted work zone

Community Outdoor Space - Business Study -8-

What can we put here?1 - Equal opportunity space 5 - Bike/scooter/skate friendly area (all ages)2 - Half Court Basketball Court 6 - Workout station3 - Table tennis tables and friendly games 7 - Skate park area4 - Large Play equipment space 8 - Advanced skate park area

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