n o r t h s y d n e y c o u n c i l r e p o r t s · re: outdoor fitness equipment (4) project was...

ITEM OSE05 REPORTS 22/06/15

N O R T H S Y D N E Y C O U N C I L R E P O R T S

Report to General Manager Attachments:

1. Summary of survey results Green Park

2. Summary of survey results Waverton Park

SUBJECT: Outdoor Fitness Equipment

AUTHOR: Melissa McManus, Parks Department Technical Officer

ENDORSED BY: Rob Emerson, Director Open Space and Environmental Services

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

In accordance with the North Sydney Council Delivery Program, outdoor fitness equipment

has been planned for Waverton Park, Waverton and Green Park, Cammeray. Concept plans

were developed and community consultation undertaken. This report details the results of the

consultation and the works proposed to be undertaken.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:

Nil

RECOMMENDATION:

1. THAT Council enters into a contract with the preferred local government contract

company to supply and install outdoor fitness equipment in accordance with the

specifications.

2. THAT Council carry forward the allocated funding for this project to the 2015/16 budget.

Report of Melissa McManus, Parks Department Technical Officer

Re: Outdoor Fitness Equipment

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LINK TO DELIVERY PROGRAM

The relationship with the Delivery Program is as follows:

Direction: 1. Our Living Environment

Outcome: 1.5 Public open space, recreation facilities and services that meet community

needs

1.2 Quality urban greenspaces

BACKGROUND

In February 2015 Council was advised of a successful grant application from Sports NSW for

the installation of outdoor fitness equipment in two North Sydney Parks. At its March

meeting Council resolved to allocate the required $25,000 matching funds to construct

outdoor fitness facilities in Green Park Cammeray and Waverton Park Waverton.

This work is in accordance with the North Sydney Recreational Needs Study and the North

Sydney Delivery Program.

CONSULTATION REQUIREMENTS AND RESULTS

Community engagement was undertaken in accordance with Council’s Community

Engagement Protocol.

Concept plans were developed and placed on public exhibition for one month from 27 March

2015 until 27 April 2015 and extensive community consultation was undertaken as follows:

Surrounding households were mailed hard copies of the plans plus a survey form;

Posters were put up on site as well as on Council’s community notice-boards in the

vicinity of each park;

Digital copies of the plans were emailed to known user groups of each of the parks

(i.e. sporting groups, registered fitness trainers etc);

The proposal was posted on the ‘have your say’ page of Council’s website;

Notices were included in Council’s weekly Precinct e-newsletter throughout the

exhibition month.

To elicit responses from the community an online survey was created for each of the Parks.

Council received a total of 54 responses in relation to Green Park with 71% supporting the

proposal and a total of 29 responses in relation to Waverton Park with 78% supporting the

proposed concept.

A large proportion of respondents took the time to make comment. There were quite a few

specific suggestions which have been used to refine the concept designs as detailed in this

report. There was a common concern that the new facilities may be over-used by commercial

operators such as local gyms and personal trainers however Council has not found this to be

an issue with the existing outdoor fitness facilities located at Tunks Park, Civic Park or

Cremorne Point.



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SUSTAINABILITY STATEMENT

The following table provides a summary of the key sustainability implications:

QBL Pillar Implications

Environment The proposed outdoor fitness facilities have been carefully designed to

sit within and enhance the existing Park landscapes.

Social The provision of improved outdoor recreation opportunities in these

locations will enhance the social interaction of local families. They

will also encourage healthy, active lifestyle for people of a wide age

range.

Economic Well-designed, robust and easily-maintained recreation facilities

represent cost-effective provision of services & facilities for Council.

The provision of access to free healthy recreation activities for the

community will result in reduced cost burdens on the health system.

Governance The consultation process represents open & transparent governance

DETAIL

Green Park Outdoor Fitness Equipment

The concept plan for Green Park showed a compact, low-key outdoor fitness cluster located

beneath the canopy of the existing red gum trees just below the existing junior and senior

playgrounds in Green Park. The level of response to this proposal was excellent with 54

respondents and 71% in favour of the proposal.

Many respondents made positive comments about the proposal and also about the beautiful,

natural character of Green Park. In response to comments received, the equipment has been

simplified to be more ‘fixed’ and the under-surfacing will be organic mulch to be more

sympathetic with the surrounding natural environment and match the nearby playgrounds.

Waverton Park Outdoor Fitness Equipment

The concept plan for Waverton Park showed a variety of new, low visual impact equipment

spread evenly around the Park as a 4-station circuit. Although the level of response to this



(4)

project was low by comparison to Green Park, there was a common theme amongst the

comments and in response to these, the following amendments have been made:

The main fitness station in the vicinity of Merrett Playground has been relocated from

the upper part of this fenced portion of Waverton Park to the lower level to be

conjoined to the playspace.

o This is in response to concerns that a nearby residence may be ‘overlooked’

from the upper level and that it was too far from the playspace for parents of

smaller children to maintain adequate supervision.

o The ground surface will be green rubber to blend in with the nearby

playground and to provide access directly from main path.

The mid-level fitness station has been moved further towards the toilet block, but still

within the naturally-mulched and shaded area beneath the Fig trees.

o This is in response to concern about possible noise impacts on nearby

residences and a request for a petanque area in the general vicinity of the

originally proposed location.

The lower level station nearest to the bottom of the stairs has been omitted reducing

the circuit to just 3 stations, one on the lowest level, one on the mid level and one on

the upper level of the Park.

o This is in response to concerns about impacts on the existing sitting area at the

bottom of the stairs.



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Station 1 – Merrett Playground Station 2 – mid level of Park

Station 3 – lower level of park, east side

CONCLUSION

OSES was successful in obtaining $25,000 in grant funding from the NSW Community

Building Partnership Program and Council has allocated the required matching $25,000

giving a total budget of $50,000.

Quotations have been sought via the Local Government Contract and a preferred supplier has

been selected using the vendor panel evaluation system.

As Council’s end of financial year processes are currently underway, it is recommended that

Council carry forward the funding for this project and place the order for the supply and

installation of this equipment in the new financial year. Once an order has been raised it is

anticipated that fabrication and installation will take approximately eight weeks.

Response Percent

Response Count

71.2% 3728.8% 15

522

Green Park Outdoor Fitness Equipment Proposal Survey

skipped question

Do you support the proposed new playground concept currently on exhibition?

Answer Options

YesNo

answered question


Yes

No

ATTACHMENT TO OSE05 - 22/06/15

Response Percent

Response Count

77.8% 2122.2% 6

272

Waverton Park Outdoor Fitness Equipment Proposal Survey

skipped question


Answer Options

YesNo

answered question


Yes

No

ATTACHMENT TO OSE05 - 22/06/15

n o r t h s y d n e y c o u n c i l r e p o r t s · re: outdoor fitness equipment (4) project was...

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