Annual Report 2018-19
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Centennial Parklands Annual Report 2018-19 Centennial Parklands Annual Report 2018-19 1 The Hon Rob Stokes MP Minister for Planning and Public Spaces 52 Martin Place SYDNEY NSW 2000 30 October 2019 Dear Minister On behalf of the Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust, we have great pleasure in presenting our 2018–19 Annual Report for presentation to Parliament. This report covers the Trust’s activities and Statement of Accounts in accordance with the Annual Reports (Statutory Bodies) Act 1984 and the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983. Yours sincerely Brian Schwartz AM Denise Ora Chairman Executive Director 2 centennialparklands.com.au Centennial Parklands Annual Report 2018-19 3 Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners We acknowledge the Gadigal & Bidjigal People as the traditional custodians of the country on which Centennial Parklands has been constructed. Above: Centennial Parklands’ staff work in conjunction with enthusiastic volunteers to organise population counts of the resident flying fox colony. The method used for estimating the number of bats is known as a 'fly-out count' and involves counting the number of bats exiting the roost at dusk. 4 centennialparklands.com.au Centennial Parklands Annual Report 2018-19 5 Contents 08 About Centennial Parklands 16 Environmental performance 22 Social performance 30 Financial performance 35 Financial statements Appendices 76 102 Index 6 centennialparklands.com.au Centennial Parklands Annual Report 2018-19 7 About Centennial Parklands About Centennial Parklands Centennial Parklands is one of the CENTENNIAL PARK Park provides a necessary green- trees, including dramatic Port falls within the Department of In 1888 Centennial Park was belt of nearly 4,000 trees, dedicated Jackson and Moreton Bay figs, Planning, Industry and Environment. world’s most visited public parks, dedicated as a public open space. walking paths and numerous public Holm oaks, Monterey pines, The Centennial Park and Moore Park Widely known as “the People’s Park”, sports fields adjacent to one of the Araucarias and coral trees. Here, Trust Act 1983 guides the with more than 31 million visits it was the site of the inauguration of busiest sports, leisure and leisure areas and some of Sydney’s management parameters and the Australian Federation on 1 January entertainment precincts in the most popular sporting fields are set Centennial Park and Moore Park made to the Parklands annually. 1901. Today Centennial Park is not country. Moore Park’s highly-prized within a natural amphitheatre Trust Regulation 2014 guides the only popular for recreation and venues and facilities include Moore surrounded by impressive operational parameters. Encompassing more than 360 relaxation, but it’s also one of the most Park Golf, the Entertainment sandstone cliffs. important community sports venues Quarter, Fox Studios, Royal Hall of In January 2014 the NSW hectares, the Parklands comprises in the State, and one of the world’s Industries, Hordern Pavilion, MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY Government announced that the few inner city parks to still offer full Centennial Parklands Equestrian Centennial Parklands comes under Centennial Park and Moore Park three major urban parks — horse riding facilities. It is home to Centre, Parklands Sports Centre the authority of the Centennial Park Trust would integrate with the Royal Centennial Park, Moore Park and diverse flora and fauna and many and ES Marks Athletics Field. and Moore Park Trust (ABN 37 220 Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust. significant tree plantings. 827 521). The Trust is responsible The operating name for the new Queens Park. It is listed on the State QUEENS PARK for the long-term strategic planning administrative entity was MOORE PARK Established in 1888 to of the Parklands, in addition to the subsequently confirmed as Botanic Heritage Register and the Register Moore Park was declared a public park commemorate the centenary of day-to-day management of the three Gardens & Centennial Parklands. in 1866. At the crossroads of some of European settlement, Queens Park parks — Centennial Park, Moore This integration process was of the National Estate. Sydney’s busiest thoroughfares, the is home to some 490 spectacular Park and Queens Park. The Trust successfully completed in 2016. 8 centennialparklands.com.au Centennial Parklands Annual Report 2018-19 9 Chairman’s report Executive Director’s Report Report from the Chairman Report from the Executive Director Centennial Parklands began its 130th us as we move forward by clearly Following the announcement in This year has particularly been pleasing year with an honour that cements establishing priorities in catering January this year of my successful for a number of reasons. These include: its place in Australian history. We are for ever-increasing demands on placement as acting Executive proud that Centennial Park is now on our Parklands and facilities. Director Botanic Gardens & Centennial • the launch of the new Centennial the Australian National Heritage List Parklands, I was truly humbled in Parklands website, including as the location of the inauguration of The Trust is excited to continue to June to be formally appointed to the the integration of online booking the Commonwealth of Australia and support the Parklands as a leader role. The opportunity and privilege capabilities for our sports, picnic a pre-eminent national heritage site. in outdoor education and nature to oversee one of the world’s most and wedding products play to maximise our park-sized visited parklands is hugely exciting, • completion of the historic Toll In Australia, as around the world, quality classroom, and to see the Moore but also brings great responsibility. House refurbishment green spaces are seen as essential in Park Toll House open its doors after • almost 11,000 participants taking part creating vibrant cities and playing a its multi-million dollar restoration. The role of our operational team in our formal education programs crucial role in the physical, social and in managing Centennial Parklands • more than 1,000 teachers mental wellbeing of the community. I would like to take this opportunity is clear – to create a sustainable and educators enrolling in our to sincerely thank our dedicated Parklands by balancing respect nature training professional Known as the ‘People’s Park’, executive team, hard-working staff, for the past with the needs of the development program Centennial Park, Moore Park, and board of trustees, devoted volunteers present while planning for the future. • our five-week Bush School pre- Queens Park continue to be one of the and supporters for another remarkable school program recording a 10% world’s most visited public parklands year at Centennial Parklands. I am delighted to report that increase in participation, with with more than 31 million visits per year. this year has been another year well over 2,000 participants. In January 2019 Kim Ellis ended his of achievement. I would also The Parklands continues to be time as Executive Director Botanic like to thank my predecessor These achievements have only the nations’ largest community Gardens & Centennial Parklands Kim Ellis for his contribution to been possible thanks to the tireless sports precinct, hosting more than and I acknowledge his exceptional delivering on that commitment. efforts of our dedicated staff and the 45,000 people at our school and contribution to the Parklands. support of the NSW Government, our community programs, and has With more than 31 million visits in the community partners and the Centennial seen a forecast-breaking 132,713 In a well-deserved and hard-earned last 12 months, Centennial Parklands Parklands Foundation. Thank you people visit NSW’s first dedicated promotion to Executive Director, the is one of the most visited and dynamic for your unwavering commitment to nature play space, The Ian Potter board of trustees was very happy to public spaces in Australia offering: making the Parklands a world-leader. Children’s WILD PLAY Garden. welcome Denise Ora into the role. We have much to be proud of and • the country’s largest I look forward to building on these In addition, 2018 saw the Park receive Thank you to those trustees who community sports precinct achievements in the coming year. its seventh Green Flag Award, an retired during the year for their great • one of Sydney’s most popular international honour that sets the contributions to the Parklands. We public championship golf courses benchmark for good management farewelled my predecessor Tony • The Ian Potter Children’s WILD of recreational outdoor spaces. Ryan who has much to be proud of PLAY Garden, an internationally- for his contribution to our wonderful recognised outdoor play space The Ian Potter Children’s WILD PLAY Parklands, as does Adam Boyton. • a much sought-after venue for the Garden has continued to receive film and television industry and recognition since opening in August We welcome our newest trustee large-scale community events. of 2017, featuring on numerous Robert Regan, an extremely valuable Denise Ora Australian gardening and design colleague to work alongside, and my Executive Director television shows and receiving thanks to those trustees who have Botanic Gardens & a host of local and international continued to support the Parklands Centennial Parklands awards in the past twelve months. through their recent reappointments. The management and stewardship I look forward to continuing to of Centennial Park, Moore Park work with Denise, staff, trustees, and Queens