Agenda Item 10.4

Parks Advisory Committee Tuesday 26 September 2017

5pm in the Arunta Room Alice Springs Town Council

Meeting opened at 5.05pm

Present Councillor Jamie de BrenniCouncillor Cocking David Havercroft Domenico Pecorari Matthew Digby Sonja Peter Erin Pietsch

In Attendance Scott Allen - Director Technical Services Ben Fitzgerald - Manager Works Jackie Hawkins - Manager Finance Joanne Craven - Executive Assistant (Minutes)

Apologies Mayor Damien RyanRex Mooney - Chief Executive Officer Councillor Glen Auricht Rachael Mashford Jonathan PilbrowStephen Baloban - Manager Infrastructure Cindy Savage - Project Administration Officer

2. NOMINATION OF COMMITTEE CHAIR

Sonja Peter nominated Councillor CockingCouncillor Cocking accepted the nomination with the support of the Committee

Moved: Sonja Peter Seconded: Matthew Digby CARRIED

RecommendationThat Councillor Cocking be appointed the new chair of the Parks Advisory Committee.

3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

Minutes of meeting held on Tuesday 28 February 2017 be received and noted.

Moved: Cr De Brenni Seconded: Matthew Digby CARRIED

The Director of Technical Services provided an overview of the Committee’s function and theprocesses within Council following the Meeting.

The Chair provided an overview of the action items from the previous minutes.

ActionThat all correspondence be sent to the Committee prior to the meeting commencing.

PAC 26/09/2017 Page 1

4. CORRESPONDENCE

Nil

5. FINANCE REPORT

Agenda Item 10.4

Finance report received and noted.

Current funds available including reserves and assuming all potential commitments are realised$771,029.34

Moved: Councillor Cocking Seconded: Councillor De Brenni CARRIED

6. BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES

6.1 Frank McEllister Park Security Camera Update

• 3 remote CCTV cameras were set up between 29 April to 19 May 2017 in the following locations:

o Camera 1 - Footpath through to De Havilland Drive o Camera 2 - overlooking the play equipment o Camera 3 - towards Larapinta Drive

• Camera 1 detected 42 people in total 14 males, 7 females and 21 children• Camera 2 detected 134 people in total 56 males, 60 females and 18 children• Camera 3 detected 40 people in total 14 males, 24 females and 2 children• Discussion ensued regarding toilet block and location• Concerns about losing car park spaces• Cleaning of the Toilet block - what would be the schedule and what is the life span?

The Director advised that the block would be cleaned every day in line with all Council’s public toilet blocks and roughly a 20-30 year life span.

• Domenico Pecorari suggested designing the block better as it is the first thing you see and located within the art prescient, understanding the issues with vandalism but needs to be something better than just a box.

RecommendationThat Council conducts feasibility study on public ablution blocks at Frank McEllister Parkwith a view to proceed to EOI stage.

Moved: David Havercroft Seconded: Sonja Peter CARRIED

• Discussion ensued regarding the playground equipment within Frank McEllister Park, nominating the Park for the next review and the EOI process.

6.2 Bowman Park and Gillen Park Public Consultation Meeting Updates

• Discussion ensued regarding the report sent to Council after the public consultations. Refer to attached.

Gillen Park• Discussion ensued regarding the slopping paths and concerns regarding washing away

during heavy rains• Drawn design is great however would recommend engaging a contractor to

professionally design. Cr De Brenni advised that Council needs to be mindful of the cost of engaging a contractors.

PAC 26/09/2017 Page 2

Agenda Item 10.4• Discussion ensued regarding the use of contractors/ consultants v’s in house skills• David Havercroft advised that water retention is a big issue to be mindful of also.• Different options should be designed and presented to this Committee and Council. Also

some community engagement regarding tree and plant species would be good.Bowman Park• Some operational maintenance issues to commence such as removal of the fence and

installation of bollards.• Water saving measures, usage and ongoing maintenance still need to be investigated• Discussion ensued regarding spending time on smaller parks where basic operational

maintenance can be implemented to improve/ impact straight away.• The Director of Technical Services advised that this was only a trial, which is a working

process with Gillen and Bowman Parks being picked first for review.

RecommendationThat Council proceeds to next design stage for Gillen and Bowman Parks for publicconsultation

Moved: Cr De Brenni Seconded: Sonja Peter CARRIED

7. NEW BUSINESS

7.1 Shade Structures - Spencer Park, Spicer Park and Lyndavale Park

• Refer to attached photos• Spicer Park shade cloth replaced 3 times, Lyndavale Park replaced 4 times, Spencer

Park replaced 4 times and Francis Smith Park replaced 6 times.• Investigating metal shade structures• Metal structures are expensive however compare the cost of replacement. A

breakdown of the figures comparing shade cloth replacement to the cost of metal structures.

• What is the lifespan normally? The Director advised the Committee that shade cloth has a life span of roughly 5-6 years however some within Council’s parks are only lasting 2-3 months due to fire and vandalism.

ActionThe Director of Technical Services to bring a breakdown of the figures comparing shadecloth replacement to the cost of installing metal shade structures.

8. OPEN SPACE REVIEW - Option 3 - Next area nominated for review?

• Three parks which could be reviewed next are Frank McEllister Park, Tucker Park and Lewis Gilbert Park. All 3 would be good to review with Frank McEllister being a large, high usage park and Tucker & Lewis Gilbert Parks have a large number of young families within the areas.

• Both Tucker and Lewis Gilbert are a lot like Gillen Park with open spaces of which water saving could be implemented. Also being smaller parks this Committee could impact straight away with some small operational suggestions.

ActionThe Director of Technical Services to table at the next Committee Meeting information on the2 nominated parks for discussion

• Public consultation was a great input to the review process and is to be conducted again once the decision on the nominated parks for review has been made.

• The Director suggested for the next meeting that the Committee conducts a bus tour of all parks.

PAG 26/09/2017 Page 3

Agenda Item 10.4

RecommendationThat the next Committee meeting commences with a bus tour of all parks prior to the meeting.

9.

10.

Moved: Cr De Brenni Seconded: Matthew Digby CARRIED

NEXT MEETING:Tuesday 31 October 2017 at 4.30pm - Bus tour followed by Andy McNeil Room

ADJOURNMENTMeeting closed at 6.40pm.

RAC 26/09/2017 Page 4

ALICE SPRINGS TOWN COUNCIL PARKS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDING 26 SEPTEMBER 2017FOR PARK DEVELOPMENT

$

Opening Balance 1/7/2017Parks & Playgrounds Reserve

Parks Report Reserve

Prior Year Carried Forwards

130.000. 00202.000. 00

379,571.18

332,000.00

379,571.18

711,571.18

Revenue

2017/2018 Budgeted Park Development - A/c No: 227 60,000.00

Other IncomeComprised of:

Total Revenue 60,000.00

Total Sources of Funds________________________________________________________________771,571.18

Expenditure

Capital (Refer to Attachment 1) -

Operational (Refer to Attachment 1) 541.84

Total Expenditure 541.84

Parks Reserve Balance 26/9/2017___________________________________________771,029.34

Total Potential Future Commitments (Refer Attachment 1)

Funds available assuming all potential Commitments are realised_______________771,029.34

Parks Expenditure and Commitments 2017/18 FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDING 26 September 2017

Capital Expenditure

Capital Committments (for which Purchase Orders have been raised)

Total Capital

Operational Expenditure

509.11 32.73

12/07/2017 NT NEWS - PO:81606 - Ad Bowman Park28/07/2017 Petty Cash - USB for Parks Adv Committee

Operational Committments (for which Purchase Orders have been raised)

Total Operational 541.84

Total Expenditure 541.84

Other Anticipated Future Commitments not vet in the Financial System Estimate

Total Other Anticipated Future Commitments

FRONT OP

SCALE: NTS

DATE: 19SEPT2017

SHEET: 01 OF 01

DESCRIPTION INITIALS

T- - -- .

FRANK MCALLISTER TOILET BLOCK LOCATION DRAWING NUMBER: FML1 AMENDMENT:

DESIGNED: SA

SURVEYED:

DRAWN: MR

CNR TODD STREET AND GREGORY TERRACE PHONE: (08) 89 500 500 FAX: (08) 89 526 685

Alice Springs

Agenda Item: 9.8

Report No: 122/17ts

TO: TECHNICAL SERVICES COMMITTEE - MONDAY 17 JULY 2017

SUBJECT: ONSITE PUBLIC CONSULTATION MEETINGS - GILLEN AND BOWMAN PARKS

AUTHOR: PROJECT / ADMINISTRATION OFFICER - CINDY SAVAGE

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report is to provide an update on the parks onsite public consultation meetings that were conducted at Gillen and Bowman Parks

RECOMMENDATIONThat it be a recommendation to Council:

That the information from this report be noted and discussed at Parks Advisory Committee meeting.

REPORT

1. BACKGROUND

Elected Members, Parks Advisory Committee (PAG) Members and Council Officers were to coordinate public consultation onsite meetings with the residents of Bowman and Gillen Parks

2. DISCUSSION

GILLEN PARKBelow are notes from the onsite public consultation meeting conducted on Wednesday 31 May 2017. The meeting commenced at approximately 5.30pm

Meeting Attendees:Mayor Damien RyanActing Manager Works - Brenton HullProject Admin Officer - Cindy SavageTwenty adults and four children attended (Attendance Sheet - refer Attachment A).

Mayor Ryan opened the meeting by welcoming everyone and advising the people that the meeting was called so that the local residents/park users could let the Council know what they would like to see in Gillen Park. This park was one of two local parks that were marked as parks that may benefit from the reduction of grassed area and introduction of landscaping to help reduce the cost of water. If the grassed area was to be reduced Council could potentially save 14kl of water per year for this park.

Discussion ensued regarding park usage and future development of the park. Issues/suggestions raised by residents were:

Report No: 122/17ts Agenda No: 9.8 Page ...12

• Gosse Street park is a good example• Bike paths and walkways consisting of compacted laterite• Path around the perimeter of the park to divide the grassed area from the landscaped

area provide a barrier for grass and also be used by children as a bike path• Shade trees to be replanted• Path around entire park to be 3.5m form the gutter and to include ground covers• The south end of the park to include paths and bike tracks for smaller children to ride

safety on away from the park edge and road• Because the park is slope to the outer edge water retention is an issue perhaps a mound

could be built around the perimeter to hold water• Fruit trees could be planted to provide food for as well as shade

Other issues identified but not relevant to meeting:

• The drains around the edge of the park on the road are blocked

Action - Acting Depot Manager to follow up on drainage Issue

Following the onsite meeting, Judy and Graham Buckley submitted an email for Council’s consideration regarding the redevelopment of Gillen Park (refer Attachment B).

Meeting closed at 6.10pm

BOWMAN PARKBelow are notes from the onsite public consultation meeting conducted on Wednesday 7 June 2017. The meeting commenced at approximately 5.30pm

Meeting Attendees:Mayor Damien Ryan Deputy Mayor Jamie De Brennl Acting Manager Works - Brenton Hull Project Administration Officer - Cindy SavageFive adults and two children attended (Attendance Sheet - refer Attachment C).

Mayor Ryan opened the meeting by welcoming everyone and advising that the meeting was called so that the local residents/park users could let the Council know what they would like to see in Bowman Close Park. This park was one of two local parks that were marked as parks that may benefit from the reduction of grassed area and introduction of landscaping. Mayor Ryan advised that the playground equipment would become obsolete and not to standard once moved.

Discussion ensued. Comments provided were:

o The green grassed area is probably not as essential in this park as the nearby school allows the public to use their oval after hours,

o Like the small area of open space would like It to remain o Define the grasses area by providing a border and landscaping around the edge o The open space has been used for street parties in the past o Include ground covers in the landscaping and tidy up existing trees

Report No: 122/17ts Agenda No: 9.8 Page ...12

o Area too small for bike path and other shared pathways in the area which can be used for children to ride their bike on.

Other issues identified but not relevant to meeting: o Remove fence and install bollards

Action - Acting Depot Manage to follow up on fence replacement

Meeting closed at approximately 6pm

3. POLICY IMPACTSPAC will need to review current policies for the provision of open space within the Alice Springs

4. FINANCIAL IMPACTS

The costing for both parks is dependent upon recommendations from PAC

5. SOCIAL IMPACTS

The reduction of the grassed area may be met with some trepidation from residents who may believe that this is the first step in reducing parks. Continued public consultation will be paramount in alleviating the fears and concerns of local residents

6. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

Direction from PAC will determine the process moving forward

7. PUBLIC RELATIONS

The reduction is green open space on some parks may invoke some furious kickback from the community who see this as the first step in an process to remove parks

8. ATTACHMENTS

Attachment A: Gillen Park Attendance SheetAttachment B: Email from Judy and Graham Buckley - Gillen Park Redevelopment Attachment C: Bowman Park Attendance Sheet

Cindy SavagePROJECT / ADMINISTRATION OFFICER

Scott AllenDIRECTOR TECHNICAL SERVICES

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ATTACHMENT B

Cindy Savage

Subject: FW; Gillen Park redevelopment

From: Judy & Graham fmaHtQiiudv^uckleytoemajl.cQnkaul Sent; Tuesday, 13 June 2017 9:55 AM To; ASTCSubject: Gillen Park redevelopment

Good morning.I have been giving thought to Gillen Park since our recent meeting in the park. There were some excellent suggestions made during the meeting, but I have since concluded that there are a number of things that need to be taken into account during the decision-making process.

Who uses the park, and how Is it used? In the time that we have lived on the edge of the park (since June 2003) 1 have observed the following:

* Residents who live on the edge of the park and their children, grandchildren and pets, use the park for: o Ball games, particularly kicking a soccer ball around o Rough & tumble o Occasional kiteflyingo The play equipment. Only used by primary school-aged children - there needs to be something

more challenging for teenagers. The slides that have been removed were used constantly by my grandchildren from a very young age.

o Sitting and chatting in the rotunda or on the grass o An occasional Boxing Day cricket matcho Community gatherings like the Neighbour Day gathering. Equipment like barbecues and chairs Is

carried to the park by residents o Birthday parties, including an 80th birthday,

o Formal exercise groups, o Relaxing on the grass with a booko Surreptitious tree planting and even more surreptitious initial watering.

■ Backpackers staying at Alice Lodge Backpackers use the park for:o Impromptu soccero Sorting their equipment and supplies on the grass at the edge of the park nearest 4 Mueller Street o Sitting and chatting or reading on the grass o Snoozing

■ People travelling between Hidden Valley Town Camp and the East Side shops use the park for:o Sitting, chatting and general relaxing o Sleeping during the day o To seek water from the residents around the park o Children use the play equipment

■ Non-Aboriginal homeless people occasionally use the grass or the seats in the rotunda for sleeping at night during the warmer months. Aboriginal people with nowhere to stay sleep in the swamp.

The park lacks:

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■ An area of smooth surface that would enable small children to ride tricycles and balance bikes. This could also Include a smooth entrance area that would facilitate taking prams and strollers Into the park.

■ Drinking water■ Sufficient shade. There were a lot more trees around the perimeter of the park before the September 2009

storm. Most of the trees destroyed during the storm were white cedars. Not a good choice for planting In public spaces as the berries are poisonous and dangerously slippery. One of the trees mentioned during the meeting was the Kurrajong Brachychiton populneus. Kurrajongs meet all the criteria for good street, park and other public space planting except for one. They.can be very weedy In disturbed ground. Not an Issue for a park generally, but It can be an Issue for the gardens of people living around the park. Our neighbours have a kurrajong In their garden, and there are two planted as street trees on our verge. Kurrajongs are as weedy as cotton palms in our garden, and I am constantly pulling out small trees. This may not be an Issue for other people. Other shade trees could Include desert oaks (dense shade without a dense tree) and snacking trees like mulberries and figs which grow well In Alice Springs without extrawater.

The park needs*.■ A 40K speed zone around the perimeter■ More shade■ A reason for the community to be involved In Its upkeep. As an example, people are generally happy to care

for the tree they planted.■ More seating■ A barbecue area

Community garden:This was suggested during the meeting as one means of reducing the area of grass that needs to be mown and watered. A community garden would bring more people to the park more frequently. More people using the park means more safety & security as the members of a community watch over each other.

With best wishes for the redevelopment Yours sincerely

Judy Buckley

8 Mueller Street Alice Springs, NT. 0870 AustraliaMob: 0419 322 880 Landline: 61 8 8953 0923

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ATTACHMENT C

Bowman Close Park Meeting

07.06.2017

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