An artist’s rendering of the project, set for delivery in 2029. Image: Bega Valley Shire Council.
The adoption of concept designs has seen a “multigenerational” playground for the NSW South Coast take shape.
At a recent meeting, Bega Valley Shire Council (BVSC) agreed to move ahead with designs for a multigenerational, inclusive recreation area (MIRA) project for Surf Circle at Tura Beach.
Council documents state the designs were developed by the Merimbula‑Pambula Lions Club, with the council providing in-principle support to the overall project in June 2022.
However, a review of several council documents states it doesn’t fit into existing strategic planning.
“An assessment of the project … highlights that the proposed site does not align with a regional‑level project.
“Regional-level sites are typically co-located with other high-use recreation assets which create a ‘hub’ of facilities, services and activities (sports courts, skateparks, patrolled beach, shops/cafes etc).”
During the recent meeting, councillors debated whether they would move ahead with it as a ”regional-level” or ”district-level” facility.
Councillor Mitchell Nadin asked for clarity around what the approaches to the project would mean.
“There’s no clarity around what a regional-level facility is … [And] if staff were to reduce the scope here what, out of this very explicit list, would be removed?”
In response, a staff member said the categories were distinguished in their “scale”.
They said a review would be needed to identify specific design elements that would be removed or added to make the new recreation area fit into one of the categories.
“I think there is a little bit of further work to do, just [around] understanding if we were to scale back, what that would actually look like … It will differ between area to area,” the staff member told councillors.
Council documents state it would cost an estimated $2.09 million to build (with that number not including the development of detailed designs).
Cr Nadin was successful in winning support for Option One (which would see the project move ahead as a regional-level project) rather than a district‑level facility as recommended in the meeting documents at Option Three.
It means that while councillors considered a smaller facility, it will now move ahead in the current form.
The designs feature trampolines, sporting facilities, amenities, a swing set, a barbecue, shade sails and other features.
Cr Nadin’s motion also calls for the establishment of a memorandum of understanding between BVSC and the Merimbula-Pambula Lions Club, that BVSC decommission the “local-level” Pacific Way playground at the end of its usable life and run an awareness campaign about its decision.
Cr Nadin said this approach would bring “quality over quantity” across the Bega Valley’s playgrounds.
“I think that this transcends just a traditional playground,” he said of the proposal.
“I think this is really unique … the level of service is going to be higher than what is over on Pacific Way, at the moment.”
Councillor Helen O’Neil felt it wasn’t the right time to push ahead with the project, given the ongoing budget pressures facing BVSC.
She said the project’s cost risked locking them into “absolutely hideous trade-offs”.
“It’s the biggest risk we face in the midst of climate change and population change that we’ve got; we may have to stop doing other things to actually deal with the risk in that area [with the area’s transport network].
“I just think at this stage, we’ve got to be really honest with people and not lock ourselves into potential expenditure and project management and depreciation that may stop us doing a really good job.”
But Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick pushed back on the argument that it would represent an extra cost for the council, saying extra funding would need to be sourced before they could move ahead.
“At the moment, we’re not locked into anything because there’s no actual forward funding,” he said.
“Until there’s funding provided, we’re not locked into anything. All we’re doing is giving [Merimbula-Pamubla Lions Club] the authority to go away and actually try and raise funding for it. That’s where we’re at.”
The meeting heard that delivery of the MIRA project is expected to be listed in the council’s Long Term Financial Plan for 2029.
Ultimately, Cr O’Neill was the only one to vote against the motion.
