Bega Valley Shire Council has adopted a document to guide its playground management. Photo: Supplied.
A coastal council has locked in its plan to manage its playgrounds, which includes the repurposing of some sites.
At a recent meeting, Bega Valley Shire Council (BVSC) adopted a new plan to guide how it manages the area’s playgrounds.
Council’s planning and projects coordinator Amelia Baum said the document offered a strategic approach to managing playspaces across the Bega Valley.
“The Playspace Improvement Plan looks at our current network of 38 playgrounds and helps us prioritise where upgrades, renewals and future investment are needed most, so we can deliver better outcomes for the community,” she said.
“Managing such a large network of recreational assets across a broad shire with a relatively small population base means we need to take a balanced and sustainable approach.”
The plan introduces a hierarchal approach.
It’s hoped it can increase district-level playspaces, while the number of underutilised local sites is reduced.
It also prioritises nature play and inclusive design.
Out of the playgrounds managed by the council, the new strategy notes that Eden and Bega have the most (with seven and six, respectively), while most have one or two.
“A total of 24 playgrounds across the shire are in good to fair condition,” the document states.
“A small portion (three of 38) are in very good condition, and 11 playgrounds are in poor to very poor condition.”
It also notes that a new playground at Tura Beach could be added to the list, with the council accepting concept designs earlier this year.
If it goes ahead, it is estimated the facility will be built in 2029.
According to the document, Bega, Tura Beach, and Wolumla are considered areas where the council should push ahead with upgrades or new developments.
The document also recommends consolidating or repurposing four playgrounds, on the grounds that there are nearby sites with “better potential” and limited opportunities for development.
It means Eden’s Apex Park, Colombo Park in Bemboka and Lawrence Park and Ray Whyman Reserve in Tathra are slated to be repurposed into parkland.
The document states these changes are expected to happen in 2026 (for the Apex Park playground) and 2033 or 2034 (for the remaining three).
“This means they will continue to be retained and maintained for the foreseeable future and adjusted when their condition deteriorates to a point where they are no longer economical to maintain, or they fall below compliance with current safety standards,” the document states.
Upgrades are recommended for Bunyarra Park in Bega and Endeavour Court in Eden when they reach their ‘end of life’ stage.
“[The council should explore] relocating the Bunyarra Park play space in Bega to nearby Columbine Park to improve visibility and strengthen connections with surrounding facilities,” the document states.
Other upgrades include refurbishing several sites in South Pambula and Bega with nature play.
But the delivery of upgrades will depend on whether the council can secure funding.
The council has $3.5 million that it can use to upgrade the facilities between 2027 and 2036, with this money coming from a combination of council grant funding.
“Currently, with 38 playgrounds, annual maintenance and operational costs average $6000 per playground, the annual operating expenditure required is $250,000.”
This would drop the annual spend on the facilities to $192,000.
Ms Baum said community input would also play an important role as individual projects moved forward.
“Local communities will have the opportunity to provide feedback on playspace upgrades and renewals as site-specific designs are developed,” she said.
“This ensures each playspace reflects local needs while contributing to a stronger, more connected network across the shire.”
The Playspace Improvement Plan can be downloaded through the council’s website.
