A list of Presenters and their topics are listed below. Presenter: Mr Scott Alston- Managing Director, ROSS Planning
2nd Speaker: John van Pelt-Managing Director, Integral
3rd Speaker: Ken Rogers-Director of Director, Parks and Landcare Services Division, Dubbo City Council Dubbo City Park and Open Space System
New cities and urban areas build in open space networks, achieving multiple use outcomes by planning major open space corridors along drainage lines and ridge tops and steep slopes. Older cities and towns developed open space as fragmented areas that were distributed throughout urban areas, negating any possibility of a continuous open space system. The open space areas in the City of Dubbo reflected this fabric. Dubbo City Council have adopted an innovative plan that establishes a City Park that takes in not only natural and open space areas, but also developed commercial and residential areas that are linked by a matrix of park streets and park ways. The resultant Green Web and City Park are a response to the inability to acquire and/ or link existing open space areas in the developed portions of our older cities. Now urban areas, streets and highways fulfil a myriad of functions in addition to their transport role. Such an approach has enabled meaningful open space linkages to be established while improving the landscape amenity of urban areas and linking these to open space areas along natural features such as the Macquarie River. The result is a City Park for Dubbo that incorporates both its natural and rich cultural history in a linked and meaningful way that truly reflects the total character of the City.
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Presenter: Mr Richard Amon- Manager City Living, City of Casey
Skate Parks Perception vs Reality
"Council's often face community opposition relating to skate park developments. The key issues raised by objectors usually relate to noise, grafitti, vandalism, litter, undesirable behaviour, drugs, attracting undesirable individuals, proximity to housing, toilet provision, conflicts with other park users and a decrease in property values. These issues seem to be raised by the community whenever a skate park is proposed, regardless of the location. In 2005, a survey was conducted of local government officers to gain insights about the reality of the impacts of skate park development. I.e. Is it true that following the development of a skate park those problems described above naturally follow suit. With over 25 responses, a picture of perceptoin versus reality has been constructed. It is planned to conduct a follow up survey in 2008 to determine if the situation has changed over recent years."
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Presenter: Mr Ben Bainbridge- Open Space and Sports Planner, @leisure
Yarra Bend Park Sport and Recreation Facilities Plan
"Yarra Bend Park is renowned as Melbourne’s Bushland Park in the City. The 260 hectare Park is located just 6 kilometres to the north-east of the Melbourne CBD in the heart of the densely populated inner suburbs. Its attractions include the 12 kilometres of Yarra River frontage, the historic Studley Park Boathouse, extensive bushland areas, two golf courses and 7 sports grounds. During 2008, @leisure developed a Sport and Recreation Facilities Plan for the Park with a view to guiding the future development, funding, management and operation of sport and recreation facilities and opportunities within the Park. The project involved multiple stakeholders including the Cities of Boroondara, Darebin and Yarra, Parks Victoria, the Yarra Bend Park Trust and various user groups. This presentation will reflect on the process undertaken to prepare the Plan, the key issues associated in meeting the various needs of stakeholders and the future directions for the Park."
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Presenter: Mr Richard Barley- Director, Melbourne Gardens, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
A Landscape for Children – The Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
"The Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden was designed and developed within the historic fabric of the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, and opened in 2004. It is a garden that aims to inspire children about nature and plants, while providing fostering the creative nature of play. The design includes dense planting, a wetland pond and rill, ‘hidden’ rainforest(including an ancient blackened stump), plant tunnels, a lookout, and a children’s kitchen garden. The site provides an ideal environment for various educational programs for schools and other visitors of all abilities, and has proved very popular since its opening, with visitation exceeding expectations. The education programs encompass the traditional content areas of environmental education, which include biodiversity, plant and animal interactions, plant uses, sustainability and conservation. The plants within the Children’s Garden have been carefully chosen for their tolerance of local climatic conditions, and of high wear and tear. More broadly within the Royal Botanic Gardens plant selection for our current and predicted climate has been a key issue for several years. Investigating homoclimatic zones of the world as sources of new horticultural plants allows a rich palette from which to choose, while meeting the challenges of a drying and warming climate. Water conservation continues to be of critical importance for the continuing protection of this world-class living landscape. "
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Presenter: Mr Ricky Bell- Manager Rural Community Facilities, Sport and Recreation Victoria
Lighting up a PLAce – Learnings from Sports Field lighting Projects across Victoria.
"Sport and Recreation Victoria(SRV) have funded a number of sports lighting projects across the state that are contributing to the extended use of facilities and enhanced participation outcomes. Effective sports lighting projects have become increasingly important to assist in the management of playing surfaces, particularly during times of drought. Government funding programs often place the strongest weighting on a proposal’s ability to positively impact sport and recreation participation levels. New or upgraded lighting at a facility can have an immediate impact on the level of use possible across a range of sports. SRV has recently produced a Football and Netball Lighting Guide to complement its Country Football and Netball funding program. This presentation will provide an overview of the information contained in the guide including: • Case studies from across Victoria, including the benefits of these projects to clubs and communities. • The relevant lighting design standards for training and competition(including spectator requirements). • How to budget for projects and indicative costings for training and competition standards. • Pole heights. • Operating and maintenance issues to consider. Particular emphasis will be placed upon interpreting the Australian Standards for Football(AFL) and Netball, and how the lux capacity of a lighting design can accommodate, or indeed limit, the future outcomes of a lighting project. Practical tips and suggestions will be provided that assist in the smooth implementation of a lighting project. "
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Presenter: Mr. Ian Benjamin- Strategic Recreation Projects Officer, City of Whitehorse
Ms Nicole Columbine, Strategic Recreation Projects Officer, City of Whitehorse
Ms Barbara Gaiotto, Coordinator Sports & Recreation, Manningham City Council
Mr Mark Stockton, Coordinator Leisure Services, City of Knox
Mr George Angelopoulos, Head of Business Affairs, Football Federation Victoria|
Eastern Region Soccer Strategy – The World Game, A Regional Approach
Following a significant increase in the number of young people playing soccer, the City of Whitehorse joined with five other eastern Councils(Boroondara, Knox, Manningham, Maroondah & Monash), Football Federation Victoria and Sport and Recreation Victoria to develop a strategy for the sustainable provision of soccer in the eastern region. Such a coordinated approach to planning across municipal boundaries was unique, and combined with the State Government’s and peak body’s involvement, the project was able to develop stronger partnerships in planning, supporting, administering and providing for the sport of soccer into the future. The presentation will cover the process undertaken, the benefits, lessons learnt and the strategy outcomes.
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Presenter: Dr. Anne Binkley- Senior Lecturer, Victoria University
Achieving Adult Well-being: The Contribution of Leisure Activity and Leisure Satisfaction.
"This study sought to understand the nature of the relationship between leisure and life satisfaction in older adulthood considering leisure activity participation, leisure satisfaction, gender, age, and national context, and how each might contribute to perceived life satisfaction. In many developed countries, research findings have supported the importance of leisure as an important predictor of overall well-being in older adulthood. Leisure has been associated with well-being in that it(a) enhances self-esteem,(b) improves mental and physical competence,(c) provides a sense of control over one's environment,(d) increases social interaction and support, and(e) improves health status. As has been recently recognized, however, little is known about the contribution of leisure to perceived life satisfaction(as one measure of well-being) based on inherent differences reflected by national cultures. Thus, studies to ascertain comparative cross-national information regarding the contribution of leisure to perceived satisfaction with life are warranted. Data on leisure activity participation, leisure satisfaction, and life satisfaction were analyzed for cross-sectional samples of adults ranging in age from 50 to 90 years from five countries(Australia, China, Greece, Italy, and the USA). Hierarchical regression analysis was used to test the degree to which age, gender, and the leisure variables predicted overall life satisfaction within each country’s data set. Findings suggested that the combination of leisure activity and satisfaction with leisure significantly contribute to perceived life satisfaction in all five countries with the strongest contribution to be in sample from Greece and the weakest contribution in the Chinese sample. Authors: Anne L. Binkley, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia,(Anne.Binkley@vu.edu.au); Barbara Hawkins, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA(hawkinsb@indiana.edu); Alice K. Foose, Northwest Missouri State University(USA); Sui Yin Cheung, Hong Kong Baptist University(China); Yvonne Harahousou, Thrace University(Greece); and Giovanni Lamura & Maria Gabriella Melchiorre, Italian National Research Centre on Ageing. "
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Presenter: Miss Joey Boothby- Recreation Planner, Manningham City Council
2nd Speaker:
Mrs Julia Jenvey
Collaboration at Wombat Bend
This presentation explores and highlights the collaborative process used during the creation of Wombat Bend Play Space in the City of Manningham, Melbourne, Australia. A multidisciplinary/collaborative team has worked with the community over a period of 2 years to design and construct this exciting new play area which was officially opened in Feb 2008. Discussion around the practicalities and benefits of working in a truly collaborative environment encompassing community needs, collaborative creativity, sense of ownership, formation of new friendships and partnerships and the sharing of information and understandings will be developed in this presentation. In addition, difficulties encountered and lessons learned during this process will be explored.
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Presenter: Mr Simon Bradley, Manager Open Space and Recreation, City of Burnside, SA
‘Swings and Roundabouts’
A 21st Century vision planning for our children’s children and the art of playground making
In essence, children’s preferred play experiences and activities are fundamentally the same today as they have been for centuries – the freedom to imagine, climb, swing, run, hide, and explore. In Australia’s society today, the opportunities for free-range play are restricted in the extreme – indeed today’s ‘metropolitan suburb’ children as a whole will never experience the pleasures of natural open-space play that were commonly available to most children up to the middle of last century.
The park and the playground are a very valuable and necessary part of the child’s opportunity spectrum of play environments, but are we asking too much to expect it to fill all, or even most, of the many losses in children’s play opportunities created by changing lifestyles?
In recent years, most public playgrounds are designed without appropriate consideration, a phenomena referred to by many Landscape Architects as “splat”. This type of approach has resulted in numerous playgrounds that provide little play value. In recent years a number of play space designers have emerged with a positive and imaginative outlook towards the provision of stimulating play spaces that cater for the needs of children of various age groups and their carers.
Simon proposes to engage and educate the audience with a blend of theory and examples on how play provision in Local Government is developing. The City of Burnside has recently developed its first Playground Strategy. This Strategy is assisting Burnside in increasing the potential of its playgrounds and broaden play opportunities over the next 10 years.
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Presenter: Ms Alysia Brandenburg- Strategic Tourism Adviser, Parks Victoria
Great Ocean Walk - Working Together to Create an Inspirational Experience
"Whilst the vision of a south coast trail was first mooted in 1974, it was in January 2006 that finally saw the 104 km Great Ocean Walk officially open. The project became fully managed by Parks Victoria(formerly National Park Service) in 1996 but it is fair to say that a group of determined and passionate tourism businesses in the Otway region regarded the trail as a distinct opportunity to increase their revenue, resolve the shoulder vacancy issues and target new markets. All noble goals for small business to aim for, but what was Parks Victoria's role in this as land manger of a built asset(the track, campsites and signage)? As completion of the trail and campsites grew closer, anticipation increased and the industry started to ask questions that had never before been asked of Parks Victoria. ""How can our businesses be involved in and with the Great Ocean Walk?"" ""What will you(PV) do to make this happen?"" Now the Great Ocean Walk was not just another trail in another park with some great campsites - we manage lots of those. It was a 'tourism product' and one that was seen as having the potential to become a significant regional and state-wide attraction. Those questions lead to the development of an innovative collaborative program between Parks Victoria, Great Ocean Road Marketing and tourism businesses using or adjacent to the Great Ocean Walk that has seen the walk become one of the premium nature based experiences in Australia. Along the way Parks Victoria has stepped outside its traditional role to create opportunities, facilitate off-park product development and lead a co-operative group of stakeholders to create regional tourism success stories. "
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Presenter: Prof Peter Brown- Acting Head, Leisure Studies, Griffith University
Why Leisure is Important to Work/Life Balance
If working parents are as stressed as research suggests, then how is time experienced by these individuals and how important is leisure in the work/life balance mix? These two questions are addressed through a review of selected findings from the ‘Work/Life Tensions' project.
Using the ‘Experience Sampling Method', we report on data gathered via personal data assistants(PDAs) from 173 working parents(6778 time use surveys) with a view to providing ‘in-situ' interpretive information on women's and men's activity contexts and their subjective experience of time over a 7-day period. These data indicate that ‘free time' activities and leisure locales are associated with the highest levels of positive affect among working parents when compared with other uses of time including ‘necessary', ‘contracted' and ‘committed' time activities.
By understanding better the experience of work\life tensions in time crunched households, we aim to demonstrate associations between time use, life course experience and individual well-being as well as the importance of leisure in the work/life balance mix.
Co Authors: Ester Cerin PhD(Baylor College of Medicine, Houston), Penny Warner-Smith PhD(The University of Newcastle). --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Presenter: Ms Barbara Buchanan- Principal Landscape Architect, BioDesign & Associates Pty Ltd
Creating Sustainable Urban Landscapes With Biodiversity And A Strong Sense Of Place Ecology, Community and Delight - Achieving a Sense of PLAce
"Barbara Buchanan and Sue Hobley would like to challenge your values and attitudes towards Australia’s urban landscapes and then, hopefully, to inspire you to take a new approach to creating a ‘sense of place’ that will be lasting and sustainable. Their combined session is presented in two parts. Firstly, Barbara explores the theory of what makes a true sense of place and suggests ways of how it can be achieved. Sue then looks at why we can’t expect to achieve it in NSW under our present planning and regulatory system and uses lessons from case studies to suggest how we might do so. Ecology, Community and Delight – Achieving a Sense of PLAce Barbara Buchanan examines how a ‘sense of place’ can be achieved in our urban parks and open spaces under the “Ecology, Community, Delight” model of the English landscape architect and philosopher, Ian Thompson. Thompson argues that the main sources of positive values in landscape design are ecological, social and aesthetic and that we should aim to achieve a balance in all three in order to create rich and meaningful places. Using case studies from Sydney and Canberra - the greening of Lane Cove North and Annandale, Sydney and the landscape of the Sculpture Gardens at the National Gallery, Canberra – Barbara explores how an understanding of these values and the particular part of Australia in which we live can also produce sustainable landscapes that have biodiversity and a distinctive sense of place.
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Presenter: Ms Anna Bunbury- Senior Open Space Planner, Manningham City Council
Do the Suburbs Deserve Distinctiveness? Public Art, PLAcemaking and Public Outrage
"Continuing on from Phyona McMahon’s presentation, Anna will speak about the pointy end of public art, when it is taken out of its safe gallery confines and roams loose through the streets of the town, like a lion escaped from the zoo: people running screaming from its path, old ladies fainting, police sirens blaring... Anna will lead a discussion as to why art in public spaces seems to cause such controversy and how open space planners and designers might be able to foster a process that is less of a tranquilliser dart and net to get art safely back where it belongs, and more about creating a landscape where culture and creativity can free-range across the public realm. A series of questions will be used to trigger discussion, to ponder the purpose and appropriateness of public art, and to analyse various approaches to encourage the client, the decision makers and the community to be excited, engaged and to embrace the possibilities of public art. The session will wrap and give participants a chance to grapple with some of the complexities of this issue. "
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Presenter: Mr Stephen Bunting- Senior Consultant, Morrison Low Consultant
Project Management for Recreation Professionals
"Great project management skills are an essential part of every parks and leisure professionals tool kit. Project management processes benefit not only your organisation but also every individual who has project responsibilities or accountabilities. This workshop provides an overview of the project life cycle, project management methodology and the type of recreation projects that can benefit from a sound project management approach. Participants will learn why these skills are important and have an opportunity of working through the early planning stages of a recreation project as well as taking away with them some useful project management tools. "
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Presenter: Mr Michael Cahill- Group Manager, Policy and Sector Development, Sport and Recreation Victoria
Developer Open Space Contributions, Facility Provision Standards and Participation. What is the Relationship?
The provision of open space and sport and recreation facilities in sufficient quantity to meet the needs of a healthy and active population has been an issue of controvery as cities grow. Traditionally the key methods of ensuring the adequate provision of land and facilities, especially in new developments has been through land provided through developer contributions and the application of various recreation facility standards. What isn't clear though is how these mechanisms relate to actual demand for participation in sport and recreation. This presentation will explore these relationships.
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Presenter: Mr Gerard Charlton- Principal Consultant, IPOS Consulting Pty Ltd
Code of Practice – Irrigated Public Open Space
The SA Government has committed to implement a series of initiatives to ensure that even in drought years, impacts on the broad community of South Australia can be effectively managed. The development of Code of Practice - Irrigated Public Open Space(IPOS) is a strategic initiative of the Waterproofing Adelaide Strategy(WPA) Members of the Reference Group responsible for the development of the Code include: • Local Government Association of SA • Local Government Turf & Irrigation Technical Group. • Murray Darling Association • Irrigation Association of Australia, SA Region • Australian Golf Course Superintendents Association, SA Region • Parks & Leisure Australia • Bureau of Meteorology • Turf Grass Australia, SA Region • Department of Education & Children’s Services • SA Botanic Gardens This code of practice explains how best to plan, manage and report water use for irrigated public open space, ensuring water use efficiency and ‘fit for use’ sports turf, recreational parks and reserves. The aim of the code of practice is to provide the tools and reporting models necessary to implement best practice irrigation management in the provision of public open space. This requires organisations responsible for managing irrigated public open space to prepared water efficiency management plans that encompass policy and planning, turf and irrigation management principles, which form the basis of ongoing monitoring and reporting on both water consumption and turf quality. A critical aspect of the Code is that it not only monitors and reports on water use but has a high focus on turf quality and ‘fit for use’ assessment and reporting on sports and recreational grounds. The Code was launched by South Australia Water Security Minister, Karlene Maywald in March 2007. It is accessible on the SA Water web site, http://www.sawater.com.au/SAWater/WhatsNew/Publications/ The Code of practice was the recipient of the Federal Government Irrigation Innovation Showcase Award in 2007. http://www.nht.gov.au/publications/case-studies/irrigation2007/code.html
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Presenter: Mr Brett Cheatley, Director of Community, Tourism & Communications, Parks, Parks Victoria
Parks Victoria’s Healthy Parks Healthy People philosophy seeks to reinforce the connection between a healthy environment and a healthy society.
"As the custodian of almost four million hectares of parkland, Parks Victoria has an obvious role to play connecting people with nature and is in the process of repositioning itself as a provider of fundamental societal benefits above and beyond those traditionally associated with parks. To achieve this aim, Parks Victoria will work with a wide range of organisations. Bridging sectoral boundaries will be vital to rethinking the role of parks. Beginning as a promotional campaign to highlight the connections between a healthy environment and a healthy community, Healthy Parks Healthy People has evolved into a new park management paradigm supported by many of the world’s leading park and health organisations. How we value parks in decades to come will have a profound impact on our ability to respond to an increasingly uncertain future. By reinforcing the connections between the health of our park system and the health of our community, Parks Victoria is nurturing a truly sustainable society, one which recognises its dependence upon and place within the natural environment. "
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Presenter: Mr David Clarke – CEO, Parks Forum
The Parks Forum Industry Agenda: developing a common language and a common voice for the park sector
Throughout Australia and New Zealand, our parks are managed by a range of organisations including federal, state, regional, and local governments, together with statutory authorities, NGOs, and Indigenous Protected Area agencies.
These different agencies manage diverse types of parks which sit on a continuum, from smaller urban parks through to remote protected areas. While these parks have traditionally been seen as quite different, they have many similar values and characteristics. The Parks Continuum will be presented and discussed to demonstrate the similarities and explore how the values are weighted differently.
Historically park agencies across this continuum have not worked closely to develop common approaches to the management of our park estate.
Parks Forum is the sector's response to this. Park agencies now understand that to take on the challenges of the coming decades, they need to work together, with Parks Forum supporting this process.
To work together successfully, park agencies need to:
1. Agree that they are part of a group with a broad set of values and goals in common;
2. Agree on the issues and goals that are the most important; and
3. Invest time in and work together on those issues.
Parks Forum will present the key issues identified by the parks industry during two years of
review and discussion with the industry. This input has been analysed and a draft Industry
Agenda prepared. The work as presented to the PLA conference in November describes a number of ways in which the industry must work together to address these issues.
The presentation will also cover how in the next 2-3 years, Parks Forum will work with the states and territories and agencies such as PLA to take up the issues and to profile the crucial role our parks are playing to sustain a healthy society and environment.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Presenter: Mr David Cooper- Open SPace and Recreation Planner, Sunshine Coast Regional Council
2nd speaker: Matthew Horder-Acting Regional Manager -, Sport and Recreation Qld
3rd speaker: Robyn Douglas-Manager - Community Lifestyle Policy, Sunshine Coast Regional Council
4th speaker: Neil Tredwell-Managing Partner, Tredwell Management Services
Sunshine Coast Noisy and Hard to Locate Sports Study
As the Sunshine Coast Region continues to experience unprecedented growth many noisy sport venues have become constrained and challenged by urban growth and industry development. The urban growth occurring boosts the local economy, has a higher land value and is not complimentary by design with noisy sports activities. As such, many noisy sports venues now have restrictions on use and/or are being closed down for other land uses to support this growth. Additionally, the growing community has higher expectations of access to facilities not provided and is also seeking a broader range of recreation pursuits not currently available on the Sunshine Coast. In response, the Sunshine Coast Regional Council commissioned a Sunshine Coast Noisy and Hard-to-Locate Sports Study which sought to; • identify potential and existing sites and facilities for the development of a Noisy Sports Precinct, Precincts or Network on the Sunshine Coast; and • prepare a strategy/plan for the ongoing protection and enhancement of noisy and hard-to-locate activities on the Sunshine Coast. Challenging traditional methods of planning and strategy formulation this Study has; • developed a community taskforce forged out of community consultation; • taken on a whole of government approach; • aligned leisure, recreation and land planning consultants; and resourced the project with an ably skilled and diverse project team able to ensure the successful progression the study. Specific to all leisure industry, recreation and town planners the methodology, outcomes and considerations of this study will evoke a robust discussion which will critically review issues, opportunities, considerations, restrictions and possible solutions in trying to locate/co-locate noisy and hard to locate sports within a rapidly growing local government area.
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Presenter: Mr Henk de Graaf- Managing Director, Waterman Irrigation
How to bring your Park to your Desktop(and live to tell the financial tale)
"Today’s stringent water regulations have put more and more compliance burdens on local government with regard to the monitoring of water usage. Centralised monitoring and control would be great if it didn’t cost so much money. But the age of low cost central control is finally here. Forget the radio mast, repeater stations and experts with black boxes. The third generation mobile phone network has made instant remote access possible using HSDPA(or High Speed Download Packet Access), or in layman’s terms “mobile internet”. Add to this encryption and the communication to your irrigation or floodlight controller is secure. The biggest advantage of this approach is that there is no longer a fixed location for any of the components(Controller, PDA, Laptop or Desktop computer) The controller can be in a park in Bourke, the laptop in the maintenance van, the server at a shared location with another council and the PDA with you on the beach on Hayman Island. And all the communication is “in real time”, in other words, your instruction generates an immediate response to all the connected components. This is in contrast the some mobile phone remote control that uses uni-directional SMS of which delivery is not guaranteed by the phone company. Last but not least, this is very affordable. Forget the minutes counter or message counter and potential huge phone bills. HSDPA uses data only SIM’s that can cost as little as $5.00 per month per park. "
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Presenter: Dr David Deeley- Managing Director, Acacia Springs Environmental
2nd speaker: Sue Marriage-Director, Sport and Recreation Services, Environment and Recreation ACT
3rd speaker: Greg McLennan-, Department Sport and Recreation, WA
4th speaker: Leon English-Manager, Water Recycling and Efficiency,, Department of Water, Perth WA.
A process for balancing crisis management and strategic planning under conditions of severe drought and Climate Change
"Much of coastal Australia is currently experiencing water shortages as a result of climate change and severe drought. Surface water impoundments and groundwater aquifers used to irrigate public open space and sports grounds around Australia are at an all time low. Removal of water from public open spaces and sports grounds presents a number of challenges socially, culturally and bio-physically both in the short term, and for reinstatement after drought conditions have passed. All too often, water for irrigating public open spaces and sports grounds has been seen as a discretionary use and the social capital and community and individual wellness derived from the communities access to these outdoor facilities have been undervalued, as state and local governments have responded to the national water crisis. These is an opportunity for planners and providers of outdoor sport and recreational facilities to develop strategies incorporating wise planning, management and governance, water use efficiencies and reporting, effective turf and vegetation management, zoning and sports and recreation adaptation strategies. The challenge will be in moving from crisis to strategic management, and in the identification of the broader applicability of local examples of best practice, and in their application regionally. This paper presents a strategic and adaptive framework to balance future urban growth, facilities provision, amenity and environmental outcomes, within finite water supplies. Case examples using the framework are presented from the ACT and Western Australia."
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Presenter: Mr Tristram Denyer- Operations Coordinator, Townsville City Council
Carbon Soil Sequestration, the Townsville Carbon Exchange Initiative
"Townsville City Council are, like other local bodies throughout Australia introducing measures by which the organizations carbon footprint can be minimized i.e, E10 fuels, hybrid cars, solar panel heating and lighting and low voltage light appliances Whereas this may reduce the overall carbon footprint it cannot in the end achieve the carbon neutral objective or the Federal government’s commitment to atmospheric carbon dioxide 60% reduction by 2050 TCC has, with other North Queensland agencies launched a further series of carbon reduction initiatives in the Townsville and Burdekin region. TCC is also partnering a Carbon Trading enterprise, benefits of which are expected to be passed on to the whole community These include some currently innovative and ground breaking trials on Soil Carbon Sequestration initiatives involving biological additives, some better known soil enhancing products and Bio-char soil supplements. The objective is to increase soil carbon uptake without changing the material usage of the land itself. Council parks and 20,000 hectares of green space will remain just that, cane farms will continue to grow cane Early trials have produced impressive results not only with demonstrated increased carbon uptake but with equally impressive soil enhancing and moisture retention results. Implications for better quality public space as well as environmental benefits is enormous. With the current political debate about carbon trading schemes this subject is even more relevant to local government nation wide Townsville has effectively moved well ahead of the Ross Garnaut Report with the establishment of not only a viable regionaly based Carbon Trading Exchange but has implemented processes and programs whereby council can become Carbon neutral as well as profit as a recipient of the Carbon Credits which are happening already albeit on a voluntary basis. It is estimated that several million dollars per year will flow to this local Government, the benefits of which can be passed on to the community. This will be the draw card of the conference, one which other delegates cannot afford to miss"
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Presenter: Mr Robert Elston- Fitness Team Leader, Monash Sport
2nd speaker: Marcia Larose-Team MONASH Event Officer, Monash Sport
People, PLAces and Participation – A Case Study of TeamMONASH
"Monash Sport is the sporting provider for the Monash University and is one of the largest sports facilities/service providers in Australia. This role includes encouraging those within the Monash University community to get involved as either a participant or volunteer in a suite of public fun runs/walks, bikes rides, swimming and triathlon events. This suite, now packaged and promoted as the TeamMONASH Community Fitness Events program is accessible to Monash University staff, students, alumni, as well as family and friends with an aim to encourage a team atmosphere and build community. The key catalyst for this service provision came from a research project undertaken by a Masters student in 2004. What started as a 2 event program consisting of 161 participants has expanded to 2267 participants in 7 events with further growth in 2008 expected. Come hear from two of the key contributors from Monash Sport, Robert Elston and Marcia Larose about the unique aspects of this program, how it is used to encourage health and wellbeing in people by providing a third place through the participation in fun and friendly events. The presentation will focus on the following topics: • How TeamMONASH is unique from other groups with the assistance they provide participants from sign up through to the event day • Creating a third place by providing programs and facilities for participants to engage in the lead up to their events through training and preparation • Emphasizing the health and wellbeing benefits developed from these events • Alliances and relationships developed within the Monash community and external participants • Creation of a team, social, fun and fitness environment not designed around winning • Providing the opportunity for life changing experiences through individuals planning for and achieving challenging activity goals • Leadership, career development and volunteer opportunities Robert and Marcia will paint a picture of the strategies employed by TeamMONASH to engage with students, staff and family members of Monash University in creating opportunities for participation in events they may not have believed possible."
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Presenter: Mr Glen Fensom- Asset Manager Parks Bushland & Open Space, Sunshine Coast Regional Council
Star Based Ratings for Streetscapes
"Over the past 2 years Maroochy Shire(now Sunshine Coast Regional) Council has been developing a new approach to performance management of all its 39 services(including open space based) to the community and expressing this as a star rating. Last year the methodology for recreation parks(which measured planning, design, community programs and asset management). The paper this year focusses on the streetscape components of open space, its benefits and how it is currently being applied in the redevelopment of the Nambour and Maroochydore Town Centres. It will also provide an update on the application of the other open space services."
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Speaker: Mr Bruce Fordham, Manager Major Projects and Youth Services, Hume City Council
Second Speaker: Mr Greg McLaren, Manager Transit City and Urban Design, Hume City Council
Hume City Activity Centres - A Place to Live, Work and Recreate
Hume City is undergoing significant cultural, economic and social redevelopment. This includes the urban regeneration of Broadmeadows. Specific activity includes the redevelopment of an ageing “housing commission” site, the creation and development of a contemporary business “Activity Centre”, a major school redevelopment, and the development of a key sports and recreation precinct. These developments are underpinned with the essential principles around ensuring the “sense of place” and the provision of usable active and passive spaces within the proposed developments.
The Craigieburn Town Centre is the creation of a “new town” (approximately 68 ha) that will include a balance of residential, retail, commercial and recreational precincts. The development will include the “unlocking of private investment” in the development of the town. The town will include provision for arts and cultural development and a range of spaces for both passive and active opportunities. The town is located in the “heart” of Craigieburn and will be considered a major activity centre on completion of its development. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Presenter: Mr Dominic Fitzsimons- Recreation Facilities Manager, Adelaide Shores
People, Profits & Places
"West Beach Trust(WBT), trading as ‘Adelaide Shores’ is a unique example of the creation of a ‘special place’. WBT uses pricing selection of tenants and an assessment process for facility developments that considers a potential contribution to the strategic plan rather than immediate commercial or community benefits to create a unique ‘place’. Set on 122Ha between the Adelaide Airport and West Beach, only 10 minutes from Adelaide CBD, WBT is a statutory authority formed in 1951. WBT is an iconic holiday, sport and leisure destination known to residents of Adelaide, South Australia and beyond. As well as businesses managed by WBT there are 21 tenants ranging from state sporting organisations to commercial operators located on WBT land. WBT attracts 500,000 visitors annually with an annual turnover approaching $11 million. WBT is in a unique position blending commercial and community needs: • Commercial – accommodation – camping to 4 star • Break even – golf park and boat haven • Community – skate park, reserves, sand dunes & beach This presentation will identify how WBT is a microcosm of a council, city or even state. It will identify how the WBT pricing structure is used to encourage a contribution to the whole operations and the commercial facilities are used to subsidise the costs of the provision of community services and facilities. It will also identify how lessees and new facilities are selected so that the commercial and non commercial organisations/businesses work to complement each other and contribute to a single sense of place. The presentation will consider what lessons can be learnt from WST and applied to larger areas and assist local and state government and businesses in joint ventures and their planning and development processes. "
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Presenter: Ms Sarah Gaventa – Director CABE Space, CABE, UK
Spacemaker - The UK Planning Tool for Planning Open Space
This workshop will illustrate how the United Kingdom tackles planning open space. The workshop will start in the Clarendon Room and will involve walking out to a nearby open space for an assessment of the open space.
Spaceshaper is a practical toolkit for use by anyone - whether a local community group or a professional - to measure the quality of a public space before investing time and money in improving it.
The Spaceshaper toolkit captures the perceptions of professionals involved in running a space as well the views of the people that use it. Facilitated workshops allow discussions around the results, issues of design quality and how the space works for different stakeholders. The Spaceshaper toolkit is positive, aims to raise aspirations, and encourages people to demand more from their local spaces.
In brief, the toolkit is excellent for:
•bringing staff and users together in a structured way to discuss the space
•identifying the strengths and weaknesses of a space
•measuring how well the space meets everyone's needs
•tracking changes in people's views over time.
Numbers are limited to 25 people - please register your interest at the registration desk. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Presenter: Mr Andy Goldie- Senior Landscape Architect, Wollongong City Council
Urban Foreshore placemaking – it jest aint(only) natural!
"So many placemaking projects of so many sea side urban areas......Such an inherent clash of form, function, colours, textures, kinetic / static, and of course the baseline – natural or constructed. Some places exhibiting delicately woven threads of urbanity with the marine, some crass impositions of human geometry on the natural, some where the sea takes its revenge…What factors go to make up the placemaking projects perceived as successful? What pitfalls are exhibited by those that are perceived to fail? What generated them and what sectors of the community were involved I want to explore this question with you. Many of us are aware of the big and famous FORESHORES of(mostly) Queensland – Caloundra, Cairns, Townsville, etc etc. The elements and ideas that make them successful and are transportable are not always obvious. Faced with odious comparisons of ones own lacklustre foreshore facilities with these shiny, relentlessly maintained centres of visitor nirvana, awash in State and Federal funds, can make life difficult as the expectations rise and the budgets evaporate. What makes them tick? What principles are involved that can be recreated in a much more modestly supported city foreshore? What are the real pitfalls that can be avoided once perceived(that don’t need buckets of money to fix) I want to take you on a tour of foreshores in my local area – from Kiama to Palm Beach. I want to explore the similarities and differences, the successful and not, the harmony of built and natural and where it is lacking. I want to pour it all through the filter of our collective experience and let the principles arrange themselves in a suitcase of solutions."
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Presenter: Mr Raqibul Hassan- Sustainability Officer, Monash Sport
Sustainability in Sport
"Monash Sport is located in Victoria, and provides sporting services for Monash University staff and students as well as the broader community. Facilities at Monash Sport service approximately 2.4 million visits a year. Our facilities include gymnasiums, indoor swimming pools, indoor stadia, ovals and pitches. Our sporting programs include 73 sporting clubs, regular sporting competitions, hosting major events and involvements in local and international community fitness events. Monash Sport’s involvement in the community puts it in a privileged position to have a significant presence in the community. In early 2008 Monash Sport reviewed its responsibilities for its environmental and social impacts. To address these responsibilities a sustainability strategy was developed. Typically a sustainability strategy would be created through an impacts analysis followed by a risk prioritisation. However, Monash Sport decided to take a unique approach, where it determined what the business would look like if were to live in complete harmony with the physical and social environment it shares, or in other words operates in a truly sustainable manner. Monash Sport then ‘backcasted’ from this sustainability vision and developed a 3 stage sustainability plan called VisionZERO. The catalyst for Monash Sport’s change came about through an understanding of the concept of natural capital and the eco system services that maintains life on planet earth. Such services include: providing the energy we burn, the food we eat, the water drink, materials we use and maintaining the climate etc. These eco system services maintain life as we know it in the biosphere. Monash Sport understands the importance to recognize and respect these fundamental ecosystem services. Monash Sport also believes, in most developed nations society lives in a take-make-waste manner. Where resources are taken up out of the earth crust, products are produced to meet our wants and needs and sent to waste at the end of its life. This process is abusive, linear and most importantly unsustainable. Through VisionZERO Monash Sport will ensure respect of the planets life supporting eco systems, and will work towards to a sustainable borrow-use-return paradigm. Hear from Raqibul Hassan on Monash Sport’s journey towards a sustainable future. In particular our 2 focuses of 1) Empowering our employees, customers and stakeholders to take positive environmental and social actions in their own lives, and 2) creating innovation that will lead to global uptake of our sustainability efforts. "
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Presenter: Ms Karen Hawksworth- Recreation Officer, Bankstown City Council
Getting People Active in Bankstown
"Bankstown City Council developed 'Active Bankstown' in 2003. Comprising of several events and programs, 'Active Bankstown' aims to encourage the community of Bankstown to enjoy regular physical activity as part of their everyday life. In 2003/2004, Council carried out research in local primary and high schools to look at student activity levels. The study found that the majority of school students already consider themselves to be active and therefore promotions encouraging them to ""Get Active"" are less likely to be successful than those promoting fun, enjoyment and health. Keeping these findings in mind, programs such as 'Sport A Month', and events such as 'The Recreation Expo' and 'The Bankstown Games' have been, and continue to be very successful. 'Sport a Month', an award winning program, gives the community the opportunity to try a new sport every month, free of charge, and also promotes local clubs and sporting organisations throughout the Local Government Area. The presentation will provide ideas which you can take with you and easily implement in your own communities. "
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Presenter: Ms Jill Hickie- Bushland Planner, Hobart City Council
Creating a 10 Year Vision for the Management of Hobarts Bushland
"Hobart has an international reputation as a beautiful Australian capital city. The City boundaries cover a diverse altitudinal range and variety of native vegetation extending between the shores of the Derwent River to the Pinnacle of Mt. Wellington. The Council manages over 4,500 hectares of bushland. Sixty one per cent is swathed in bushland; 40 per cent is in public ownership. This paper outlines the development and contents of Hobart’s first Bushland Management Strategy 2007-2017: a strategic planning framework that guides the protection and management of Hobart’s bushland for ten years. Community involvement in the development the strategy was a key ingredient to the document’s successful preparation with a working group guiding its development. The strategy provides an overview of Hobart’s bushland, it outlines statutory and strategic obligations, presents a vision, establishes guiding principles that define and distinguish Hobart’s bushland and outlines key objectives that contribute to achieving the vision. It examines seventeen key management issues. Their collation provides a comprehensive understanding and valuable resource summarising the issues that influence Hobart’s bushland. Key strategic actions were derived from the examination of each of these issues, and placed into a prioritised framework within an action plan. The strategy has subsequently influenced the content of the Council’s strategic plan 2008-2013."
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Presenter: Ms Sue Hobley- Principal, BioDesign & Associates Pty Ltd
Public Domain Vs Private Domain – How Local Government can Establish a Sense of PLAce
In the second part of the session Sue Hobley builds on these examples and principles. She argues that the barriers that are commonly faced by local government in Sydney to implementing such a model are, in essence, cultural - in Australia, most people prefer to garden with exotic plants rather than locally indigenous species. Three simple ideas are discussed that would enable local governments to overcome the ‘great divide’ between cultural preferences and the need to protect our natural resources, and to establish a landscape planning and management framework for creating sustainable landscapes with a resilient sense of place. They provide a clear, uncomplicated approach in the public domain without imposing unenforceable restrictions on the private domain. Most importantly, this approach does not compromise individual identity and ownership of private gardens. Unlike the current complex and contentious system, it could be implemented with reduced bureaucracy and costs to ratepayers and would achieve greater and more easily measured outcomes for both council staff and residents. A fourth, more radical concept of using zoning tools to create “guardians of the environment” as a means of halting the loss of natural resources associated with urban impacts will be explored briefly if time and audience permit.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Presenter: Mr Rob Hyatt- Indigenous Officer, Sport and Recreation Victoria
Culture, Identity, Sport and a Sense of Place
"A Sense of Place is particularly tied to a sense of cultural belonging and identity within Indigenous communities. To be strong in your culture and identity can mean to be strong in a sense of Place. Culture and identity tie us to who we are, where we come from, where our Place is. Throughout our history, Places such as missions were manufactured for Indigenous Australians and a real cultural sense of Place was damaged. Identity was damaged and we lost who we were and where our Place was. The Lake Tyers Aboriginal community was one of those Places, a mission from 1861 till the late 1960s. The sense of Place was created around the church that dominated the landscape. After the ‘mission days’ came a struggle with self management and social issues. The perception was generally negative from an outside perspective. In 1995/96 football played a significant role in creating a culture and identity that all at Lake Tyers related to, they were Lake Tyers and this was their Place. The field took over as that special Place. After 1997 when the team disbanded, this identity and again, the sense of Place was slowly lost. The community struggled for a number of years and when on the verge of social disintegration, the Lake Tyers Renewal Project was developed through the Victorian State Government. The community stressed that there had to be a strong sporting component to bring back a sense of pride and self-esteem. It would also bring back a sense of Place. Currently, when you visit Lake Tyers, there will be someone in that Place, simply a basketball/netball court. This presentation will look back on the impact of sport on a community, describe the work that supports this community today and highlight good practice with engaging Indigenous communities so that we may plan better for them on the basis of their own sense of Place."
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Presenter: Miss Carina Jacob- Service Desks Team Leader, Monash Sport
2nd speaker: Brett Lavale-Clayton Site Leader, Monash Sport
3rd Speaker: Terry Jenvey-Aquatics Team Leader, Monash Sport
Prioritising Customer Service - The Introduction of a Formal Service Assessment Process
"Monash Sport is one of the largest sports facilities/service providers in Australia. To encourage a strong service culture Monash Sport has developed and implemented an internal service assessment and awards process. This process requires each business unit to be assessed and scored against 50 criteria which have been developed and aligned with the Customer Service Institute of Australia. The scoring system measures the degree to which each service attribute has been intended, implemented and integrated across the entire business unit operations. The assessment requires each business unit to provide evidence of service initiatives within the six key categories of the Service Tool Kit. The Service Tool Kit model is a reinforcing feedback loop that links into the Monash Sport Foundations. Both these models are emphasized to all staff, in all business units and at all levels of the organization. They assist in explaining the importance of service and how it links to the foundations of the organisation. They have proven extremely useful in conveying what Monash Sport is about and how we operate. The presentation will look into: · How and why the internal service assessment was developed · What have been the learnings during this process · What improvements in customer service have been measured so far · How key strategic directions are translated to front-line service staff · How great service builds strong social networks with customers · What future directions will be taken"
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Presenter: Ms Mary Jeavons- Director, Mary Jeavons Landscape Architects
Revisiting Old Playgrounds - Getting the Best Value out of Spaces and Assets
"Many old playgrounds have usable elements and components but the spaces are unappealing, they aren’t particularly usable or accessible, and often they don’t make the best use out of a space. This paper plays with the options for getting the best value out of particular spaces. It uses case studies, details and examples to explain: the process of reviewing the function of a space within its precinct; understanding what its role is; • how it can be amended to make the best use of existing assets; • how to add play value and complexity, • how to make it more accessible to children with disabilities • how to make sure it actually works for the intended age groups • how to make it into a more appealing place to play and to spend time. "
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Presenter: Ms Sally Jeavons- Director, @leisure
Planning for Open Space as a land use: Strategic Plans and Structure Plans
"Object: To workshop open space planning as part of broad land use planning and current structure planning processes, in the context of changing social and environmental values. Topics to be discussed include: • Current methods, and reoccurring issues • Examples from past projects: Docklands, “The Blue Period” Growth Areas • Processes, different models, successes and failures. • The role of private open space • How to get a plan implemented "
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Presenter: Ms Sally Jeavons, Director @leisure
The Case for Exclusive Dog Off-leash Areas in Open Space
"OBJECT: To discuss the provision of designated areas in public open space for exclusive use of dogs and their owners. These can help Local Councils build socially connected and healthy communities(for both people and dogs). However managing conflicts between dog lovers and other users of open space, especially in the inner City can present challenges. CONTENTS: • Australia has one of the highest rates of pet ownership worldwide. This is increasing. • Increased residential densities, larger houses, and requirements for water tanks etc on residential blocks are reducing the amount of private open space for pets. • Council’s are experiencing greater demand to provide for the whole suite of recreation opportunities in public space; including dog exercising and socialisation. • Planning for dogs in public space as legitimate users- is as important as planning for sport and children’s play. • Managing potential conflicts between dogs and other users of public space is not as easy as putting up a fence. Fencing raises a whole suite of new issues in urban parks as does providing fenced enclosures just for dogs!. Unfamiliar dogs, unsocialised dogs, and particularly old and young dogs may react differently when exposed to new environments and other dogs in these spaces. • There are a number of considerations when planning areas for on leash and off-leash dog activities especially fencing. This paper discusses these considerations and issues design associated with fenced dog off-leash areas. Implications of the type and location of fencing, gates or entry points, and other support facilities such as seating, can manage the interaction between unfamiliar dogs and minimise potential conflicts. "
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Presenter: Mr Arden Joseph- Director, Sport and Recreation Victoria
The Healthy and Active Choices Program - Facilitating the Provision of Healthy Food Choices at Leisure Facilities
"Obesity is a major public health problem in Australia. A high intake of energy-dense food and drinks combined with low levels of physical activity are behavioural causes of rising obesity levels. Providing both food and physical activity options, larger community leisure facilities are ideal locations for the promotion and provision of healthy food choices. The ‘Go for your life ‘Healthy and Active Choices’ program, funded by Sport & Recreation Victoria, Department for Planning and Community Development, was designed to test the feasibility of increasing the availability of healthy food choices at healthy activity locations without compromising economic viability. The research and evaluation components were undertaken by Deakin University, in partnership with the operators of the four participating leisure centres. The project was successful, in that healthy food choices were greatly increased without adverse effects on the economic viability of the food outlets. This presentation will outline the various components of the program and discuss the evaluation findings."
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Presenter: Mr Arden Joseph- Director, Sport and Recreation Victoria
Ms Briony Gee, Health Promotion Coordinator, Dianella Community Health Centre, Broadmeadows
Increasing Physical Activity in Disadvantaged Communities – Learnings from the ‘Go for Your Life’ Active Places Program
"How can we better support those experiencing disadvantage to get off the couch and make their health a higher priority? Data shows that people experiencing disadvantage, such as low socio-economic status, rural isolation or social marginalisation have poorer health and are significantly less likely than the general population to be physically active. Increased participation in physical activity is not only linked to the prevention of chronic disease, but can also give people a sense of belonging. Physically active and healthy people are more likely to participate in other aspects of community life and lead healthier lifestyles. The Go for your life ‘Active Places’ program, funded by Sport & Recreation Victoria, DPCD, aims to increase physical activity among marginalised and socially disadvantaged members of local communities. All projects use a range of strategies to address barriers to participation whilst ensuring program sustainability and long-term behaviour change. This presentation will provide case studies from the four two-year projects funded in 2007(Ashburton, Ashwood & Chadstone, Broadmeadows, Laverton and Terang) to highlight the key successes, lessons learnt, and the importance of local partnerships. "
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Presenter: Ms Cathy Kiss- Senior Parks Planner, City of Melbourne
2nd speaker: Eamonn Fennessy-Team Leader, Parks Planning, City of Melbourne
Developing a Water Management Plan for Parks and Open Spaces in the City of Melbourne
"Developing a Water Management Plan for parks and open spaces in the City of Melbourne. The City of Melbourne is responsible for the management of an extensive network of major heritage gardens, open parklands, contemporary landscapes, linear trails, squares, neighbourhood gardens and small reserves. The major gardens have a high dependence on irrigation to maintain the health and quality of the predominately 19th century heritage landscapes. In 2006, the long term effect of drought brought the introduction of severe water restrictions. This crisis escalated the need to establish a sustainable water use plan for parks, gardens and street trees that will inform and responsibly address the current and future water management challenges. This paper will explore the development of a Water Management Plan for the City of Melbourne. It will focus on five themes that are critical to achieving its vision for reducing potable water use in its parks and gardens. These themes are: • Investigating alternative water sources, • Increasing water efficiency, • Managing how parks are used, • Adapting the landscape, and • Developing water offset programs. "
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Presenter: Ms Cathy Kiss- Senior Parks Planner, City of Melbourne
"I Can Play Too"
"The Good Play Space Guide: “I can play too” establishes what is desirable and achievable in improving access within play spaces. One year on from launching the guide, this paper describes some experiences in implementation. Using City of Melbourne play spaces as examples, the presentation will have a practical focus of how to modify existing play spaces. The presentation will explore how each play space has been approached, what has worked and what challenges have been encountered. The presentation will also expand on some key areas that form part of a new PRAV training program. "
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Are Street Trees and the Nature Strip on the Verge of Becoming the Next “Wetlands”?
In an average year 160 gigalitres (160 GL) of water flow down Adelaide 's gutters and into Gulf St Vincent. This run off carries a high load of nutrients and sediment which are destroying the marine environment. The recommendations from the Adelaide Coastal Waters Study final report (ACWS Nov 2007) are for an urgent reduction in the volumes of stormwater discharge to bring about a 75% reduction in nitrates, a 50% load reduction in particulate matter, as well as reduced flows of organic and mineral toxicants to coastal waters. Urban sprawl and infill will only add to the torrent of stormwater so there is little chance that any improvement in the marine environment as envisaged in the ACWS can be achieved. No doubt there will be increasing adoption of well established “wetland” technologies to clean some of this polluted rainwater before sending it on to the ocean or preferably to the aquifer. This is very capital intensive strategy suited to a few locations remote from the source where cheap land is available. Wetlands therefore have a very limited role in addressing the issue of stormwater management. What Adelaide and all Australian towns and cities need are new, at source, low cost, readily implemented strategies that deliver multiple benefits to the community and the environment. Taking water from the gutters and putting it into the subsoil adjacent to street trees is the option currently being investigated in a growing number of TREENET trials.
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Presenter: Ms Sue Marriage- Director, Sport and Recreation Services, ACT Government
Recreation - Its Valuable, Now Let's Prove It!
This presentation will highlight the many difficulties we as recreation program deliverers have in proving the worth of our activities. Through showing the practical ways that are now emerging to present our value information, this presentation will offer a clear path for practitioners to understand, measure and present information on the social return on investment(SROI) provided by recreation programs.
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Presenter: Dr Ken Marriott- Director, HM Leisure Planning P/L
2nd speaker: Tony Veal-Adjunct Professor, University of Technology, Sydney
'Using Spatial Analyses in PLAnning and Managing Leisure Facilities'
One of the most valuable types of information for planning and management of leisure facilities is knowledge of facility catchment areas. This is a neglected concept and opportunities to gather vital information on catchment areas are often missed or data are collected but under-used. The workshop will research the concept of catchment areas and how they might be identified, evaluated and used for planning and management purposes. A range of example techniques will be presented from Australia and overseas. The workshop will use actual and hypothetical catchment area information to evaluate opportunities for upgrading/changing existing facilities, to plan new facilities, and to assess the extent to which a facility is serving its community.
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Presenter: Ms Lucilla Marshall- Landscape Architect, Townsville City Council
2nd speaker:
Ms Emily Morgan-
Sports & Recreation Officer, Townsville City Council
How can three match sticks + playdoe = sense of place?
YOU are invited to an interactive workshop that will provide an opportunity to explore what affects the thinking process, both individual and as a group, has on design and creating a sense of place! Many questions are faced by open space and leisure designers/planners about creating a space and a sense of place. As designers, are we constrained consciously or unconsciously by conventional thinking. Perhaps it is now time to challenge this contemporary thinking? Come and let you imagination lead you to developing a new way of thinking. By utilising aspects of Meta-cognisant(adaptive thinking) this workshop will allow you to get messy and have fun developing new ideas about creating. Utilising Three matchsticks + playdoe as well as a whole lot more including clay, wood, pins, blue tack, material, sequins, paper, cardboard, paddle-pop sticks, paint, and glue, markers to create without thinking, create a place, create a space and possibly discover how to create a sense of place Together lets discover how we guide our industry in establishing, building and enabling a space to evolve and become a place of meaning through new ways of thinking? Note: Meta-cognisant(adaptive thinking) is about being aware of the process/journey without knowing the outcome.
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Presenter: Ms Phyona McMahon- Principal, Cicada Blue Design
Art In Our Landscapes
"Our parks and open spaces offer fabulous opportunities to put art into landscapes and make it accessible to a wide and diverse audience. The natural setting provides a dynamic backdrop enhanced by natural sounds, sky conditions and elements such as rock formations and water. This presentation will look particularly at sculpture trails and sculpture festivals both locally and interstate. The presentation will consider what makes a collection of temporary or permanent sculptures such a different proposition to a single landmark sculpture. Sculpture festivals, awards and symposiums often have small beginnings but can ultimately attract large numbers and international recognition. Hosting a festival may seem like a daunting task. This presentation will consider planning issues such as; what sites could be considered appropriate for a sculpture festival? What should be the aims and outcomes of the festival? What about the ‘winning’ entries, what is their future? Should there be more than one winner, i.e. the official judging panel’s nomination, the people’s favourite, and the kids’ choice? Sculpture trails often create a new identity for a remote setting or an out of the way location. Publicity and promotion of a trail will swell visitor numbers and attract ongoing visitation. How should a site be selected for a sculpture trail? Can remoteness be an advantage? Should the natural qualities of the site influence the selection or commissioning of work? These and other questions will be explored. If you are interested in bringing art into your parks and open spaces then this presentation will be inspiring and informative. "
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Presenter: Mr Greg McNally- Senior Consultant, Stratcorp Consulting
2nd Speaker: Graham Porteous-Manger - Recreation and Waterways, City of Melbourne
Melbourne Docklands - Waterways Activation
"Docklands is Australia’s largest construction project and a large urban renewal project by world standards. Located on Victoria Harbour with three kilometres of Yarra River frontage at the western edge of the city, Melbourne Docklands is a 200 hectare, $10 billion premium waterfront development in the heart of Melbourne. By 2020 Docklands will have 20,000 residents, 40,000 workers and 20 million visitors each year. The Docklands waterways comprises approximately 40 hectares of water and when completed 7 kilometres of spectacular waterfront including Victoria Harbour, the Yarra River and Moonee Ponds Creek. In preparing for the delivery of Docklands, the City of Melbourne and their project partners VicUrban and Parks Victoria have engaged Stratcorp Consulting to undertake a review of the Melbourne Docklands Waterways Strategic Plan. Stratcorp developed a 10 year Docklands Strategic Waterways Plan which will assist in the development and management of the waterways, in line with the agreed vision, world’s best practice and to the standards befitting a capital city. The Plan will include a long term vision for the Docklands waterways; a review of existing and proposed waterway developments; a review of waterways uses; identification of key areas for growth, opportunity and activation; and prioritise recommendations for action including a concept plan identifying water node use and supporting onshore infrastructure. "
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Presenter: Mr Bill Morrison- Manager Arts & Recreation Development, City of Whitehorse
The Whitehorse Open Strategy Great Planning Makes Great Parks
The City of Whitehorse community bases much of its identity and lifestyle around its open spaces. With increasing population densities, planning changes and major infrastructure projects residents wanted a position on the future of open space in Whitehorse. The Whitehorse Open Space Strategy was developed on a solid base of public consultation, detailed research and contextual planning. Citywide and neighbourhood level goals and directions for open space were developed. Key to developing an effective Open Space Strategy was the process used to engage with the public and develop a product everyone agreed with. The presentation will outline the direction of the Strategy as well as the journey undertaken by Council Staff and Officers to complete the project.
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Presenter: Ms Melanie Orr- Club Development Manager, Tennis Victoria
2nd Speaker: Chris Head-National Facilities Manager, Tennis Australia
3rd Speaker: Michael Bodman - Inside Edge Sport and Recreation Planning
“Think Nationally, PLAn locally”
"Need assistance in planning future tennis facilities? Looking for a collaborative National and State direction that compliments LGA strategic planning? Want community assets to be socially and financially sustainable while providing a sense of PLAce for the community? Tennis Australia will provide a snapshot of the National Blueprint for tennis facilities in Australia including a brief update of each state’s progression to date, with Tennis Victoria l highlighting their plan for the practical statewide implementation of the Blueprint - through the development of the State Facilities Masterplan. The State Facilities Masterplan is a unique and ambitious strategy that will shape the provision of tennis facilities in Victoria over the next 20 years. The session will: • Discuss the emphasis placed on collaborative planning with asset owners • Consider minimum standards of club operations and present an accreditation framework developed to measure the viability of any club at any given time. • Provide recommendations for tennis facility distribution at the national, state and local level. The presentation will conclude with a series of recommended strategies for LGA’s to utilise in building the sustainability of tennis assets. In particular, highlighting minimum standards and requirements in documentation, including localised tennis strategies and lease agreements. A key outcome of the session will be to demonstrate how this unique holistic approach to club and facility development can be embraced and used by LGAs to ensure a social and financial return on infrastructure investment. "
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Presenter: Associate Professor Leonie Otago- Head of School, School of Human Movement & Sports, University of Ballarat
Is Artificial Turf suitable for Australian Rules Football?
"Artificial turf has undergone significant developments in the past few decades and continues to evolve at a rapid rate. The current products known as ‘third generation turf’ were introduced in the late 1990s. Natural turf has always been the preferred option in Australia, however, with significant climatic change and lack of urban space, the use of artificial turf for sporting grounds and schools in Australia is rapidly expanding. Artificial turf has the advantage of being able to cope with at least twice the number of playing hours compared to natural turf provided there is an adequate maintenance regime in place. Testing was undertaken on the mechanical properties of the surface, ball interactions and player interactions using internationally recognised testing equipment and procedures. During this project 30 combinations of samples and shock pads of artificial turf were tested. These tests included Critical Fall Height, abrasion, hardness, rotational traction, ball roll, ball rebound, angled ball behaviour and player impact forces. Research into injury risk on the third generation has been limited, however the evidence suggests that the rate of injury on third generation turf is similar to that of natural turf, but the type of injury differs. Issues yet to be resolved are heat retention of artificial turf and infill spray. "
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Presenter: Mr Martin Parmenter- Asset Manager Lands and Recreation, Wollongong City Council
Swings and Roundabouts - Meeting the Infrastructure Challenge for Recreation Assets.
"We are hearing more and more about the ""infrastructure challenge"" and the need to sustainably manage our existing and ageing assets. This has forced many Council's into detailed service reviews and information gathering exercises seeking to ensure we know what we have out there, what condition it is in and how much it will cost to continue to provide services and facilities to our communities. Often the information required does not exist, or it is in multiple formats stored in multiple places. Further, the definition of service levels and the balancing of funding allocations across service functions and locations requires an integrated and holistic approach involving multiple disciplines and staff. Recreational assets often make up a significant proportion of the total assets being managed and generally get focused on early in any service review process. This presentation outlines the challenges faced and lessons learnt from practical experience in seeking to meet the infrastructure challenge for recreational assets. "
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Presenter: Mr Peter Patterson- General Manager, Repeat Products
Innovation in Swimming Centres
Recycled plastic is now a product of choice for seating at swimming centres. Centre managers want a product that does not absorb water, is not affected by humidity and requires little maintenance. Repeat Products will present practical examples of swimming centres around Australia who have embraced the plastic revolution.
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Presenter: Mr Neil Power- Assistant Director, Singapore National Parks Board
GreenMark Landscape - at last an objective TBL sustainability benchmark for Parks
"It is estimated that the services sector represents more than half of the world’s AUD$300billion+ lifestyle horticulture industry economic impact. Of this, the parks sector is estimated to have an international direct economic impact in excess of AUD$70billon. However, the impact of the parks sector also has extensive indirect environmental services, community health, tourism and economic values more than 4 times the direct economic impact. The first part of this paper examines Australian, Singaporean and world literature to develop a comprehensive review of direct and indirect valuation of parks services. The second part of the paper applies the outcomes of this literature review to a practical application in developing an objective triple bottom line set of measurable criteria allowing the establishment of a credible aspirational benchmark for park sustainability. This urban sustainability aspirational benchmark, entitled GreenMark Parks, is the first in the suite of landscape services aspirational benchmarks under development that will include protected area parks, park design, sports fields, institutional, commercial and residential landscapes and landscape suppliers. The current GreenMark Parks criteria currently cover energy, water and waste management combined with park management efficiency, recreation opportunities, conservation, heritage and sustainability related innovations such as carbon accounting frameworks. "
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Presenter: Mrs Kerry Roberts- Education & Interpretation Officer State-wide, Parks Victoria
Parks Victoria has developed a Junior Ranger program which incorporates both in- Park Activities and an on line club
In-park and online activities will foster support for protected areas among the decision makers of the future. The Junior Ranger topics incorporate a range of ecological and cultural topics and key management issues. A number of parks have been selected on a preliminary basis to ‘showcase’ these topics, offering(where possible) ranger-led activities. The program also involves the development of a mascot. A Ranger Roo product has been developed for a national audience. It involves a website which will provide a continual, interactive link to club members, providing activities that are based on things that children can do or experience in parks. The program also incorporates personalised component that gives children the opportunity to feel connected with parks throughout the year.
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Presenter: Mr Michael Robinson- Senior Consultant, SportsTurf Consultants
Natural turf versus synthetic surfaces
An objective overview on the use of third generation long pile synthetics for sports such as soccer and rugby will be presented. Discussion will focus on the advantages of synthetic surfaces in relation to the current drought & water restrictions as well as the increased usage that can be attained. Whole of life costs will also be presented for both natural and synthetic turf including full details on construction, maintenance and re-surfacing.
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Presenter: Mr Philip Saikaly- Manager Metropolitan Community Facilities, Sport and Recreation Victoria
2nd speaker: Andrew McKenzie-Senior Project Officer, Sport and Recreation Victoria
Sustainable Sports Facilities
"The drought and current climatic conditions have directly affected many Victorians. Sport and recreation is not immune to these climatic challenges and many groups and clubs have become innovative in order to survive. The issue of climate change has forced community sport and recreation to rethink how recreation opportunities are delivered. Historically, the operation of sport and recreation facilities has relied significantly on the availability of natural resources such as water. As resources become more precious and consumers become more educated about the impact on the environment, governments too are looking at implementing measures to reduce sports’ reliance on natural resources through Environmentally Sustainable Design(ESD). The Victorian Government strategies to promote and improve the implementation of ESD measures in community sport and recreation facilities include funding provided by the Victorian Government through SRV to develop and improve major and aquatic facilities. The Victorian Government has provided financial support for simple yet effective measures to reduce the impact of drought on local and regional sporting facilities. The emphasis has been on supporting long-term, sustainable measures to maintain community sport in the face of on-going environmental challenges. Such measures have included an increased emphasis by the Victorian Government to financially support projects that include innovative, sustainable and environmentally friendly components and initiatives. These initiatives move towards the development of new models for community sport and recreation facilities by combining community needs and implementing greater social and environmental responsibility. This is clearly the generational beginnings of future models for sustainable sports facilities. This presentation will investigate some cutting edge ESD initiatives and articulate how developers of community sport and recreation facilities can achieve truly sustainable sports facilities. "
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Presenter: Mr Rob Saunders, Acting Team Leader Visitor Research and Development, Parks Victoiara
Accidental Research – or ways of squeezing more useful information out of the data you have
Parks Victoria has collected Key Performance Indicator data about visitors to national parks, metropolitan parks, piers and jetties for around 10 years. An important characteristic of this data is the fact that it has been collected on a consistent basis, and provides comparable data between years.
Parks Victoria also runs an Applied Visitor Research Program that delves into particular issues of interest, or investigates visitor use in specific locations in more depth. However, demand for Applied Research projects almost inevitably exceeds available funds. So how can we squeeze more useful information out of the data we have?
This session is about how data derived from longitudinal KPI research can be ‘mined’ in various ways to generate useful insights of value to parks management, or to help guide specific further research. Two main examples will be discussed: visitor segmentation studies; and insights into visitor origins and attitudes which informed targeted market research for the St Kilda Pier Kiosk reconstruction project.
The presenter will be Rob Saunders, Acting Team Leader Visitor Research and Development. The visitor segmentation work carried out by Dino Zanon (Team Leader Visitor Research and Development, Parks Victoria) and Dr John Hall, Associate Professor of Marketing, Deakin University is gratefully acknowledged.
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Presenter: Mr John Simmonds- Managing Director, Eshade Pty Ltd
Shady PLAces.......... and getting Shade Savvy.
More than ever before SHADE is now a consideration for most people enjoying the outdoors. Commercial enterprises with outdoor facilities know they have to provide shade to attract clientele. Public places and spaces are somewhat less proactive. The various State Cancer Councils are now promoting SHADE in addition to the well-known "Slip, Slop, Slap". While some in Parks and Leisure are indeed Shade Savvy there are many throughout Australia who have a fair degree of uncertainty about Who, What, Where, and especially HOW. Dont feel bad if you are uncertain, that can change quite easily. Australia is miles ahead of the rest of the world in shade design, manufacture, installation and shade policy implementation. We need to be... with perhaps the highest incidence of skin cancer we should be offering shade where we can. Natural shade or artificial shade ? Hear how simple good shade planning can be. Hear how simple good shade design can be. Shade Myths and Mysteries.
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Presenter: Ms Linda Smith- Manager, Glen Eira City Council
2nd speaker: Kevin Ball-Biomechanist, Victoria University
3rd Speaker: John Watkins-General Manager, Cricket Victoria
Biomechanical comparison of the traditional and all season cricket surfaces
As a result of safety concerns raised by a number of cricket associations, Cricket Victoria and ten LGAs engaged Victoria University through a research grant to evaluate cricket ball bounce for different synthetic cricket wickets currently used in competition. The work compared the bounce characteristics of the two synthetic surfaces(the all weather surface and the traditional surface) using two different balls to evaluate ball bounce and variability of bounce for each surface. The results will guide the decisions on which surface is optimal for performance and safety.
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Presenter: Ms Annette Stafford- Policy Advisor - Recreation, Fairfield City Council
Parks Improvement Program: Beyond a Swing and a Blade of Grass
"The City of Fairfield, in western Sydney, covers an area of approximately 104 square kilometres and incorporates 27 suburbs. Fairfield City is home to approximately 182,000 people. It is one of the most culturally diverse cities in Australia, with over half the residents(55.6%) born overseas, and of these, 95% are from Non English Speaking Countries. In 2005-2006, Fairfield had the highest intake of refugees of any LGA. In the 5 years to 2006 Fairfield received 20% of the State’s humanitarian visa settlers. Council has over 200 parks and reserves, many of which did not meet the basic recreation needs of the community. Up until 2000, whilst Council had successfully attracted grant funding from various sources, it was inadequate to provide a complete upgrade to the parks across the city. Council was reactive in replacing playground equipment, which in reality was only a 'bandaid' solution to quieten the 'squeeky wheels' within the community and stop 'harrasment' of the elected members. In 2000, the Parks Improvement Program was included as part of a successful capital works submission for a special rates levy to the Department of Local Government. The concept of the program was to establish a rolling program targeting parks in selected suburbs across the city and also the continued construction of the cycleway/shared path project. Initially the program was developed using standard landscape design objectives and focusing on construction works, however, the program has developed over the years integrating community development processes into the design and construction processes. Community cultural development processes include partnerships with educational, health and non-government sectors, and are tailored to help in addressing Fairfield City\'s disadvantage barriers such as language and literacy skills, low health and employment statistics, and those related to refugee and emerging communities, such as social and cultural isolation and a general weariness of government authorities and services. While the original submission was founded on broad scale open space and recreational planning, and focused on physical improvements and facility enhancement through capital works, the program has evolved - drawing on Fairfield City's strong community framework and cultural diversity as untapped, valuable resources to improve public health, public pride and perceptions of safety in public places. Council now takes a more creative approach to including the community in the development of their local public spaces. This paper will explore the evolution of the Park Improvement Program and the integration of community cultural development to design 'in' physical activity and social interaction. "
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Presenter: Mr Peter Stewart - Manager Events Melbourne, City of Melbourne
What a PLAce for an event! But why?
Cities all around the world compete to host major events. They argue that events drive the economy through increased tourism and greater international media profile. Large sums of public money are used to bid for, then deliver and support events which often have a great impact on the “business as usual” activities of a large urban community.
Melbourne is a city which prides itself on a diverse and extensive calendar of events. It is recognised as one of the city's global destinational strengths and both the State and Local Government put significant resources into planning and maintaining this position. In 2008 Melbourne was again confirmed as the number one sporting events city in the world.
But does the rhetoric stack up? How does an extensive calendar of events like Melbourne 's contribute to other factors essential to the liveability of a major city? Since 2005 the City of Melbourne has been conducting a consolidated research project which endeavours to measure both the quantifiable and intangible impact of not just one event but an entire events calendar. The findings are fascinating. This presentation highlights how elements as diverse as community perceptions, crime and the environment interweave to paint an extraordinary picture of a city now inextricably linked with events.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Presenter: Ms Sharon Sykes- Director, Sykes Consulting
Open Space Planners Network Forum
"The Open Space Planners Network, based in Victoria, has been active for at least four years, providing an opportunity for open space planners to discuss common issues and share experiences. An Open Space Forum was held at the PLA Townsville conference in 2007 where it was agreed that the network would be promoted nationally. As a result, the network now has a mailing list of over 150 interested people in both public and private sectors across Australia and from all levels of government. The network operates through email, the PLA website and regular meetings held across the Melbourne area. One of the key benefits of the network has been the establishment of a partnership with the Victorian Government to address issues of provision of open space, use of planning legislation to acquire and improve open space, and benchmarking for the various types of open space. This session as part of the 2008 conference will provide an opportunity to discuss the priorities and issues that the network has been addressing during the past 12 months. Future initiatives and opportunities will also be covered in an interactive and consultative session. "
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Presenter: Dr. John Tower- Senior Lecturer, Victoria University
Making the most of ERASS data in recreation and sport planning
"The Exercise, Recreation and Sport Survey(ERASS) data provides a comprehensive set of information about the exercise, recreation and sport participation of Australians. Unfortunately, detailed analysis of the data has been minimal and there has been limited statistical analysis to guide recreation and sport planning. Victoria University was contracted by Sport and Recreation Victoria to conduct a scoping study to further analyse the Victorian ERASS data and to apply relevant statistical tests. This presentation will provide examples of the outcomes from the scoping study. These examples illustrate how recreation and sport planners can understand differences in demographic group participation, differences between municipalities, analyse health enhancing physical activity participation, compare other participation data analyses, and analyse individual sport characteristics. In particular, statistical tests were used to identify valid outcomes from the data. The Victorian ERASS data has the potential to better inform recreation and sport planning by local government, regional authorities, and state and national sporting associations. Better access to the ERASS data and rigorous analysis can make a greater contribution to meet the recreation and sport planning needs of Victorians."
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Presenter: Prof. Tony Veal- Adjunct Professor, University of Technology Sydney
Ten years of leisure trends: ten years of performance. How well have we done?
It was not until the late1990s and into the early part of this century that Australian government agencies began to collect data on leisure participation on a regular and consistent basis, so that trends could be established. This means that the effectiveness of the collective policies of leisure service providers can also be assessed. But, over time, the world changes: demographically, socially and economically. Change also takes place in the context of the activities of leisure service providers. So leisure participation trends should be assessed against these socio-demographic and policy trends. This presentation will examine leisure participation trends at national and state level over the last 5-10 years in the area of sport and physical recreation, cultural activity and park use, together with trends in demographics, leisure time, incomes and education levels and trends in public expenditure on leisure. Actual trends in participation will be compared with expected trends, that is, what might have been expected if participation had fully reflected the socio-demographic trends. Some sectors are found to have performed better than others.
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Leisure 2020 Summit - Community Infrastructure – PLA National Board
Key Stakeholders will be invited to participate with the PLA Board to workshop industry issues and directions.
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Presenter: Mr David Vial- Director, Integrated Open Space Services - IOSS
Parkland Use by Residents of Differing Dwelling Types
Emerging issues associated with the demands on parks by people residing in low density compared to high density dwellings has been a significant area of interest for open space planning and management professionals within the past years. An analysis of over 20,000 park user intercept surveys(since 2004) and a study undertaken by the Gold Coast City Council, has demonstrated a clear variation in user profiles and parkland use by residents of differing dwelling types. This paper aims to explore these differences utilising the beforementioned results and share planning and management strategies for meeting the changing demands on parklands.
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Presenter: Mr Aaron Wallis- Principal, Convic Design
So what is a youth space?
"Are they skateparks? Playgrounds? Urban plazas? Over the last four years, we have been presenting to PLA on the importance of youth space provision but what we have found is that they can take a multitude of forms and there is no specific model, rather a response to the unique requirements of each municipality, such as its urban character, transport infrastructure and demographic profile. This presentation will be a discussion about some of the challenges we have faced in defining what a youth space is and what it can be? It will specifically look at a number of recent projects across Australia where different councils have embraced unique approaches to public recreation provision for teenagers whether it includes active sport, art, socialisation, music and events or a mix there of? The examples discussed will include large scale public projects, broader municipal wide strategies and smaller localised interventions and opportunities. Whilst most Councils across Australia have embraced the need for providing recreation opportunities for young people, the examples highlighted will show there is no set standard or facility, rather a systematic strategic approach that can be tailored to the unique specific needs of the very different municipalities across Australia. "
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Presenter: Mr Brendon Ward- Chief Executive, NZRA
2nd Speaker: Jude Rawcliffe-Project Manager, NZRA
Making A Partnership Approach Work For Industry
"How does NZRA engage with the parks and recreation industry to facilitate high quality professional development, industry standards and advocacy/promotion. Initiatives underway in the Parks Sector including the development of a training needs analysis tool and the servicing of sub sectors like ranger, sports fields and playgrounds will be highlighted."
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Presenter: Dr Stephen Wearing- Associate Professor, UTS
Fundamentals for providing High Quality Tracks and Trails Experiences
This research is being funded by a Sustainable Tourism Cooperative Research Council Network grant and is being completed by researchers from the University of Technology Sydney and Monash University. The project aims to understand more about the issues which influence demand for high quality “track/trail” experiences in national parks. Some of the influences on trail usage being considered in this desk top review include: facility provision, interpretation practices and visitor demographics. A case study on the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service has been developed in order to test the real world applicability of the project’s observations on how park managers can develop a strategic position on tracks and trails.
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Presenter: Ms Ann Whitton- Senior Parks and Recreation Officer, Gold Coast City Council
2nd Speaker: Skye Miller-Active and Healthy Officer, Gold Coast City Council
Innovative active engagement for open space design
"A strategic aim of Gold Coast City Council(GCCC) park policy is to activate public open space and encourage inclusiveness and strong community ownership. This presentation will demonstrate how GCCC is utilising it's 'Active Parks' program to engage with the community in the design of open space and development of ongoing programs. Council's 'All Abilities Playground Project' will be showcased as an example of the process and it's benefits. The 'All abilities playground project' is a joint initiative with Disability Services Queensland to encourage inclusive play between children of all abilities. The aim is to create an innovative space for play which provides opportunities for respite for parents and carers and can accommodate formal programs and activities. Consultation for the project targeted children and families living with a disability and also engaged carers and service providers from community and government organisations. Benefits of this approach included responsive design and the development of ongoing partnerships between Council and the community. The interactive presentation will consist of delegates participating in activities used during consultation with children with special needs. Activities encourage exploration of the physical and imaginary environment to draw out the key similarities in the experience children desire. This will be followed by a brief overview of the outcomes achieved and discussion about the lessons learned.(Note: The presentation can be tailored to suit the time and number of delegated allocated.)"
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Presenter: Ms Penny Wilkinson- Principal Consultant, Coomes Consulting
2nd Speaker: Mark Hands Consultant, Coomes Consulting
Community Hubs: Features that make them work
"The need for flexible community facilities that cater for evolving needs and a wide range of interests has long been a central planning requirement. Indeed, major government funding schemes specifically assess the extent to which facilities will provide for multiple uses, reflect collaborative efforts and build partnerships within the community. Recently we have seen the emergence of the community hub. They embrace the range of economies of scale that come from co-locating groups and activities. Good facilities can make lasting impressions to community identity, community capacity and the extent to which people engage in community life. Penny Wilkinson and Dr Kate Kerkin, both from Coomes Consulting Group, will present a range of case studies that highlight how different sectors, groups and often fundamentally diverse activities can come together to share a common space, and in turn, make positive contributions to their respective communities. The presentation will use each case study to highlight significant factors that have made them work. In true consultant style, Penny & Kate will throw open the discussion to listen to and draw upon the collective experience of delegates. In doing so, this presentation endeavours to provide a forum for us all to learn from others experiences."
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