Residents are being invited to provide feedback on the Places for Play: Draft Play Spaces Strategy which will guide our decision making and priorities around play spaces for the next ten years.
The Places for Play: Draft Play Space Strategy is available to view at www.engage.cgoldshire.vic.gov.au/playspaces with feedback invited until 5pm, Thursday 22 May.
The Strategy provides Council with a full assessment of Council's existing play space infrastructure and recommendations for improvement that will help guide the planning, provision, and management of play spaces, ensuring an equitable, inclusive, diverse, safe, and engaging mix of play opportunities across the Shire.
Central Goldfields Shire Mayor Cr Grace La Vella said it was important for Council to ensure it is providing safe and adequate places for play both now and in the future.
"We know play spaces are more than just equipment and we want families, carers, children and young people of all cultures, identities and abilities to use and enjoy the play spaces in our Shire.
"At the end of 2023, more than 350 residents took the time to provide feedback which shows just how important play spaces are to our community.
"This helped inform what locations are currently being used, what elements are missing and if funding opportunities arise – where investment needs to go to upgrade existing facilities or where a new facility might be welcomed.
"The Places for Play: Play Space Strategy gives us a framework for which to work from for the next 10 years – this will help with maintaining the existing facilities we have and advocacy.
"We encourage everyone to view the Draft Strategy and share their feedback with us."
The development of the Play Space Strategy is a key outcome of the 'Active Central Goldfields', Recreation and Open Space Strategy 2020-2029 (ROSS) adopted by Council in September 2020.
Council received $30,000 in funding for the Strategy through the Victorian Government Local Sports Infrastructure Fund with a further $45,000 contributed by Council.
Separate to the Draft Play Space Strategy, Council committed to undertake a Splash Park Feasibility Study to identify the issues, opportunities and costs associated with provision of a Splash Park in Maryborough. The Splash Park Feasibility Study is in final draft form and will be presented to Council for consideration prior to the end of the 2024/25 financial year.
