Background Report 1 About the Study Area 2 Past Planning Considerations 4
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DRAFT July 2017 Page | 1 Acknowledgements The Recreation and Open Space Study has been undertaken by Suter Planners in consultation with City of Victor Harbor Council staff and representatives. Suter Planners personnel involved in the analysis and report and mapping development include: § Suzanne Suter, Principal Suter Planners § Carina Sidwell, Assistant Planner and Design, Suter Planners The study has been project managed by the following Council staff: § Brian Doman, Manager Environment and Recreation § Jeremy Bell, STARCLUB Field Officer GIS based mapping has been provided by Chris Bowey, Team Leader Property. Other Council staff have contributed to the project through a Project Control Group listed below as well as planning sessions with a range of staff. Project Control Group Name Department Brian Doman Manager Environment and Recreation Jeremy Bell STARCLUB Field Officer (Fleurieu/KI) Mark Oliphant Manager Community Services David Read Strategic and Policy Planner Sport and recreation groups and the community have also contributed to the study through participation in consultations including through: § Council’s Environment and Infrastructure Committee § Council’s Recreation and Sport Advisory Committee (a sub-committee of the Environment and Infrastructure Committee) § Planning sessions with Encounter Bay Recreation Ground users, Victor Harbor Oval users and sports groups located at other locations § Community survey using Survey Monkey CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION 1 Focus of the Background Report 1 About the Study Area 2 Past Planning Considerations 4 2 COMMUNITY NEEDS 9 Needs Based on Demographics 9 Sporting Demands 11 Community Activities and Priorities 13 Potential Needs Based on Benchmarks 15 Visitor Needs 18 3 OPEN SPACE AND FACILITY PROVISION 20 Open Space Provision 20 Key Recreation and Sport Facilities 27 4 OPEN SPACE TYPE FINDINGS 39 The Foreshore 40 Natural Areas 42 Recreation Spaces 44 Connections and Corridors 46 Sports Facilities 48 Community Wellness 51 5 PLANNING PRECINCT ANALYSIS 54 Hayborough 55 McCracken 57 Victor Harbor Central 59 Encounter Bay 62 Victor Harbor Rural 65 APPENDICES Appendix A: Recreation and Open Space Definitions Appendix B: Recreation and Open Space Study Focus and Status Appendix C: Document Review Information Appendix D: Consultation Summaries Appendix E: Previous City of Victor Harbor Type and Hierarchy Appendix F: Reserve Analysis Appendix G: Indoor Court Provision Options Analysis Page | 4 1 INTRODUCTION Focus of the Background Report The Background Report to the Recreation and Open Space Strategy includes background information relating to community needs and the provision of open space and recreation facilities as well as an analysis of open space and recreation opportunities in Planning Precincts. The information in the Background Report provides a basis for the directions in the Recreation and Open Space Strategy and can be used to assist Council staff and Elected Members with decision making, directions and the identification of future priorities. The relationship between the Background Report and the main Strategy Report is provided below. Key definitions of relating to the Recreation and Open Space Strategy are provided in Appendix A. 1. THE STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS REPORT Guiding open space and facility improvements 2. BACKGROUND REPORT Information and analysis to assist with decision making Page | 1 About the Study Area The City of Victor Harbor is located on the Southern Fleurieu Peninsula around 80km south of Adelaide. The City covers an area of 386.5 m2 and includes the township of Victor Harbor and various rural areas around the township. The City has four suburbs within the township of Victor Harbor and seven rural suburbs as outlined below and shown on the map on the following page. City of Victor Harbor Suburbs (north to south) Victor Harbor Township Rural Areas - Hayborough - Mount Jagged - McCracken - Hindmarsh Tiers - Victor Harbor - Hindmarsh Valley - Encounter Bay - Inman Valley - Lower Inman Valley - Back Valley - Waitpinga The township of Victor Harbor is a growth area that attracts retirees as well as families and other age groups. The coastal location, natural environment and relaxed lifestyle draw people to the area and create a quality place to live and work. The resident population is currently close to 15,500 and Council believes this figure increases by at least 2,000 visitors and people using their holiday homes at any given time. In the peak times of December to February it is believed that the population increases to around 30,000. The township and the surrounding region is a key holiday destination within South Australia. The annual visitation for the Fleurieu Peninsula during December 2013 to December 2015 was 2,384,000 day visits and 699,000 overnight visits totalling 2,175,000 nights. Particular attractions for residents and visitors relevant to open space and recreation include: § The coastline and foreshore areas § Natural areas including Granite Island and Rosetta Head (The Bluff) § Encounter Lakes § The Inman River and Hindmarsh River open spaces and walking opportunities § The diverse sport and recreation activity opportunities (golf, fishing, boating, field sports, indoor sport) Page | 2 The Planning Precincts Page | 3 Past Planning Considerations The Open Space and Recreation Study has involved a review of the 2007 Open Space and Recreation Strategy and consideration of directions in other past planning documents. The main items to consider are outlined below and further information is provided in Appendix B. 2007 Open Space and Recreation Strategy The 2007 Open Space and Recreation Strategy included a number of actions and projects that have guided Council to achieve open space and recreation improvements over the past 10 years. The main achievements over this time are outlined below. Foreshore § General foreshore improvements (seating, picnic settings, buildings) § Creation of the youth skate and play facilities at Temple Reserve on the foreshore § Sewer connection to Yacht Club § Kent Reserve improvements (play, amenities, landscape) § Soldiers Memorial Reserve upgrade (play, picnic settings, amenities) § Soldiers Memorial Gardens improvements (landscape, paths) § Formalised coastal and beach entry points Natural Areas and the Environment § Increased tree planting around sportsgrounds § Ongoing natural area regeneration projects § Liaison with SA Water on Section 696 land dedication to Council § Urban Forests program implemented (particular focus on Robert Barry Reserve, Robinson Reserve and Hicks Reserve) § Tree strategy developed and landscapes proposed in other planning Non Foreshore Recreation Areas § Creation of the BMX / bike jump facility at Victor Harbor Oval § Improvements to neighbourhood parks (particularly Stan Farquhar Reserve, Brandwood Reserve, Wattle Reserve) § Development of Starfish Park by developer § Civic Centre surrounds landscape § John W Crompton Junior Reserve upgrade § General improvements to other neighbourhood and local parks (infrastructure, landscape) § Planning for GT Fisher Playground upgrade Connections § Victor Harbour heritage Trail developed § Foreshore pathway improvements § Inman River trail minor improvements § Hindmarsh River trail minor improvements § Some pathway upgrades in streets § Bicycle Strategy developed Page | 4 Sport and Recreation Facilities § Improvements to Encounter Bay Recreation Ground facilities (lawn bowls club facility and artificial greens, hockey building, oval surface) § Development of a Master Plan for a sports hub at Encounter Bay Recreation Ground § Victor Harbor Oval upgrades including oval surface and irrigation and outdoor courts surface § Back Valley Tennis Club one court upgrade § Storage shed in C.M. Thorpe Park Other § Planning and achievement of the Fleurieu Aquatic Centre in partnership with Alexandrina Council § Community events and programs focus § Recycled water use (on ovals, golf courses, Civic centre, Barker Reserve) § Volunteer recognition § Recreation and Sports Grants program and Facilities Renewal and Upgrade Funding § Partnerships and arrangements with schools § Community projects The 2007 Open Space and Recreation Strategy highlights that there is justification for continued improvements to the following: § Foreshore areas § Recreation parks including some neighbourhood parks § Sportsgrounds and sports facilities § Trail connections and particularly along the foreshore and the Inman and Hindmarsh rivers § The protection, revegetation and maintenance of natural areas Page | 5 Strategic Planning The City of Victor Harbor has undertaken various other strategic plans over recent years. The main plans that are relevant to the Recreation and Open Space Study include: § Victor Harbor Community Plan 2036 § Victor Harbor Strategic Directions 2016-2020 § Open Space Asset Management Plan 2015 § Urban Growth Management Strategy 2013-2030 § Victor Harbor Bicycle Strategy 2016 § City of Victor Harbor Coastal Management Strategy 2013 § Victor Harbor Footpath and Pedestrian Study 2011 § Encounter Bay Recreation Ground (needs analysis and master planning, 2014 and 2015) Key items for consideration raised in these studies are summarised below and a detailed review of various Council plans is provided in Appendix C. § Open space and recreation are high priorities for the City of Victor Harbor with sporting open space, recreation open space and natural areas being particularly important. § The City of Victor Harbor is rich in biodiversity through the coast and the