Community
22 July, 2023
Input sought on playspace
COMMUNITY input continues to be sought in relation to a proposed new district level play space in the Southcombe Park and Russell Clark reserve precinct.
In addition to an online consultation period – which continues until July 24 – two community consultations were held last Saturday. Moyne Shire infrastructure and environment director Edith Farrell said there had already been some thoughtful responses and suggestions.
“We’ve had lots of really good feedback and picked up quite a few valid things we need to consider,” she said. “Some of the key issues we heard included consolidating the play spaces into one site, safety, good visibility, natural surveillance from other park users and the need for car parking.”
Last weekend’s community consultation sessions were the first steps in hearing from possible users about the proposed designs.
“Port Fairy parkrun’s concerns were also clearly heard and we will work closely with the parkrun organisers and other stakeholders, such as the Folk Festival and Southcombe Park committees of management,” Ms Farrell said.
A recent, extensive analysis of sites across Port Fairy for a new play space determined there was no ‘ideal location’ in Port Fairy which could encompass a new district level play space and skatepark in one.
The findings suggested a network approach, using areas of Russell Clark Reserve and Southcombe Park including the caravan park.
The network approach would support a play space built on the corner of James and Campbell Streets, on a vacant parcel of land next to Belfast Aquatics, with another play space built across James Street in the northern corner of Russell Clark reserve.
The two spaces would cater for all age groups and abilities and traffic calming measures would be put in place along James Street to allow for safer crossing between the spaces. A skate park location was proposed within the Southcombe Caravan Park, close to the office building which would link with the new play spaces and existing tennis courts, swimming pool and stadium via a network of footpaths to create an integrated and connected play and sporting precinct.
Community members can view all the site plan and analysis documents and leave their thoughts online until next Monday, July 24 at https://www.moyne.vic.gov.au/Your-Say/Port-Fairy-Playground-Strategy
