Project objective

From Brighton to Beaumaris, we’re upgrading all 61 playgrounds around the municipality. The program is guided by Bayside’s Playground Improvement Plan.

Each year, Council seeks input from the community on how they would like to see playground(s) in their area improved or upgraded.

We consult with the users of our playgrounds: the children and young people of Bayside, as well as local residents and clubs/groups. The feedback we receive helps develop a detailed design for construction.

We aim to provide playgrounds that:

  • offer and encourage play experiences that promote independence for people of all abilities
  • are sympathetic to the surrounding area and neighbourhood
  • maintain a connection to nature
  • use natural materials where possible
  • are easily and safely accessible along footpaths and trails
  • can be reached via safe road and rail crossing points
  • promote intergenerational use
  • adhere to all relevant Australian Safety Standards
  • provide a connection to the community.
  • site context
  • level of dependence upon the park locally
  • provision for different ages and abilities
  • general level of amenity, shade, paths, seating and accessibility of social spaces
  • variety of types of activity - movement versus static - imaginative/role play/creative play - presence of vegetation, natural elements and loose materials - degree of challenge - degree of open ended-ness
  • how the playground complements the neighbouring reserves

We engage the community ahead of all major playground upgrades to ensure the design meets local needs. Feedback is considered in line with available budget, site constraints, and recommendations of the Playground Improvement Plan.

Project impacts

We are upgrading Glen Edward Reserve playground to create a fun, inclusive and nature-connected play space for children of all ages.

This is a small pocket playground with beautiful surrounding paths and plants. The design presented the interactive elements for kids with a new play unit to engage kids with inclusivity. The new design incorporates existing features of local significance including:

  • installing a new play unit that will be accessible/ interactive.
  • Defining the boundary of the playground.
  • Improving accessibility to encourage experiences that promote independence for people of all abilities.
  • Installing a dragon fly sculpture that kids can play on.

The budget for the project is $100,000

What information do we need from the community?

We’re inviting the community (particularly playground users) to tell us what they think about the proposed concept design, including overall sentiment, proposed equipment contributors are most excited to play on, and new ideas to help improve the design.

The pocket playground is small which limits the installation of some infrastructure, and the significant trees in the park have also been considered in the concept design. Following consultation, we’ll share the final, detailed design with the community. Construction is anticipated to commence mid-2026.

What can the community influence?

  • Play equipment including layout, position and type
  • Materials
  • Landscaping

What can’t the community influence?

  • Decision to upgrade this playground. This playground is included in our adopted Playground Improvement Plan.
  • Project timeframe.
  • Contractor and budget to deliver this project

Stakeholders and community

This stakeholder assessment is a generalised understanding of sections of the community that have a connection to the project or matter. This information is used to understand the types of tools and techniques that will achieve the strongest and most effective outcomes for engagement and communication.

  • Impact: What level of change the stakeholder / community segment may experience as a result of the project / matter - high (H), medium (M), low (L)
  • Interest: What level of interest has been expressed or is anticipated
  • Influence: Reference to the IAP2 Spectrum

Stakeholder / community

Impact

Interest

Influence

Playground users, particularly children and their parents/guardians

H

H

Consult

Adjacent residents

M

M

Consult

Broader Brighton East and Brighton residents

L

M

Consult

People with disability, including Disability Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee

L

M

Consult

Local early years providers, including schools

L

M

Consult


Selected tools and techniques

The tools and techniques selected for this project are informed by the project content, stakeholders and type of feedback sought.

Key tools for communicating the project

  • Have Your Say project page including interactive map of the proposed design
  • Signage (with QR codes linking back to the engagement activities) at the playground
  • Postcards letterbox dropped to local residents
  • Drop-in sessions at the playground
  • Social media posts
  • Council website news story
  • Council's e-newsletter This Week in Bayside
  • Email notification to relevant Have Your Say registered members, playground project subscribers and key stakeholder

Key methods for gathering feedback

  • Online engagement through Have Your Say, including quick poll, equipment preference selection tool, ideas board, and opportunity to ask questions. Tools selected to provide transparent, instant reporting and ease of use for young people.
  • Drop-in face to face feedback sessions onsite at the playground at 24 Centre Road, Brighton East
  • Printed survey and consultation materials, including accessible formats available on request
  • Correspondence with project team.

Project timeline

  • Community consultation – 19 January - 15 February 2026
  • Consideration of community feedback – February/ March 2026
  • Detailed design – created incorporating community feedback
  • Construction – Winter W2026

Decision-making process

The detailed playground design will be refined using community feedback – particularly young local residents. Council officers will evaluate and approve the final design based on objectives in the Playground Improvement Plan.

Council will tender for the construction partner, and works are anticipated to commence winter 2026,

Unless that are significant impacts to project scope, timing or budget, no formal decision-making by Councillors is anticipated.


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