Council endorsed the final concept designs for the Railway Lands nature playspace and the second draft concept design for the youth activity hub at the November 2024 Council meeting.
Council received more than 230 survey responses from the community during the consultation period to review the draft JPE Design Studio nature playspace plan proposed for the area opposite the existing creek bed at the Railway Lands.
The ‘Choo Choo Train Nature Playground’ concept is inspired by the former use of the site as a rail corridor. It includes a train head and driving experience, platform climbing tower, slides, music play, seesaw, basket swing, teepee structure, climbing wall and carriage tunnel.
“This playspace will be the first major custom playground in Mount Gambier and pave the way for a new era of play,” City of Mount Gambier City Infrastructure General Manager Barbara Cernovskis said.
Community feedback on the concept design was positive, with 82 per cent of respondents indicating that the nature playspace meets community needs.
“Nature play stimulates development and connection with the environment, increases physical activity and social connection and attracts visitors to the CBD.”
“JPE Design Studio has gone a step further to improve the draft concept design with the inclusion of the feedback we received from the community regarding the need for additional accessibility, shade and seating.”
The estimated cost for the nature playspace is expected to total more than $1.3million.
“We have a $500,000 allocation in Council’s 2024/2025 budget, which will require $250,000 in grant funding which is yet to be secured and includes a historical $150,000 Out of School Hours Care donation. Some of this funding has also been allocated to the design and delivery of the Railway Lands Learn to Ride space which opened late last month and has been a huge success with our young people already. The remaining funds in the budget will be used as a co-contribution for attracting further funding to make this project and the associated youth space a reality,” Ms Cernovskis said.
A second draft concept design for a youth activity hub proposed for the area opposite Bay Road was also endorsed by Council after it also received positive feedback from the community.
The concept includes a flying fox, ninja course, skate park and hard courts.
“We held four workshops with young people who provided valuable insights about what they would like in their space. We have added multi-sport interactive wall/panels and a netball ring to the draft concept design at their request,” Ms Cernovskis said.
The estimated cost for the youth activity hub is expected to be more than $2.5million - not including a skate park.
Further work to finalise the Youth Activity Hub and skate park designs will be undertaken dependant on funding.
Media contact: City of Mount Gambier Media and Communications Coordinator Sharny McLean on 0413 798 327 or smclean@mountgambier.sa.gov.au
