Bundaberg Regional Council Parks and Open Space Study April 2012 ROSS planning ROSS planning This Study has been prepared by: ROSS Planning Pty Ltd ABN 32 508 029 959 9/182 Bay Terrace (Level 4 Flinders House) Wynnum QLD 4178 PO Box 5660 Manly QLD 4179 Telephone: (07) 3901 0730 Fax: (07) 3893 0593 © 2012 ROSS Planning Pty Ltd This document may only be used for the purpose for which it was commissioned and in accordance with the terms of engagement for the commissions. Unauthorised use of this document in any form whatsoever is prohibited. Table of Contents Introduction 1 Open Space Supply and Demand Overview 31 What is open space? 1 Regional Open Space Supply Assessment 31 Purpose 1 Open Space Demand and Gap Assessment 33 Approach and Methodology 1 City Paradigm Assessment 35 Project Limitations 1 City Paradigm Overview 35 Background Research 3 Bundaberg East 38 Literature Review 3 Bundaberg North 41 Trends in Park and Playground Design 6 Bundaberg West 43 Demographics and Population Trends 13 Coastal Paradigm Assessment 45 Conclusions 14 Coastal Paradigm Overview 45 Open Space Framework 15 Bargara 46 Open Space Planning Precincts and Planning Assumptions 15 Burnett Heads 49 Local Open Space Paradigms 17 Innes Park and Coral Cove 51 Open Space Classifi cation 19 Elliott Heads 53 Planning Framework 23 Moore Park 55 Community Statement and Strategic Vision 23 Woodgate 57 Recreation Land Use Zones 24 Hinterland Paradigm Assessment 59 Other Considerations 24 Hinterland Paradigm Overview 59 Open Space Desired Standards 25 Gin Gin 59 Quantity Standard 25 Childers 61 Accessibility Standard 26 Appendix 1: Land Use Maps (recommended) Land Characteristics 27 Appendix 2: Open Space Audit Data Indicative Park Embellishment Levels 29 Appendix 3: Open Space Maps (existing/proposed) Introduction Bundaberg Regional Council sought to undertake this Parks and Open identify and map existing and proposed trunk open space areas Space Study as it moves to prepare a new Planning Scheme, including based on agreed standards of service with particular emphasis on Priority Infrastructure Plan, for the local government area. This work major growth areas. was also triggered as the former local government authorities (prior to amalgamation in 2008) planned differently for open space, and the Approach and Methodology range of data available varied across the new Council area. The methodology to develop the Study is broken down into stages. Good parks don’t just happen. They are the result of considerable This helps to show the sequential development of a strategic planning. Applying the same planning regime for one area to another framework and detailed analysis of open space across the local also does not make a functional open space network. Understanding government area. The information gathered and generated throughout the local infl uences (climate, geography, social culture and political this process provides the various outputs required for the Study. The capacity) is vital. Therefore, this Parks and Open Space Study must stages are: be based on foundations that consider and embrace these matters. Stage One: Background Research and Inspections This Study has been developed giving thought to what we know about − review demographics and population trends Bundaberg Region’s open space, our understanding of local people’s − develop a classifi cation and hierarchy framework preferences to different open space types and functions, Council’s (and − audit existing open space the community’s) capacity to deliver the infrastructure and the State’s − review park establishment, maintenance and management preferences and guidelines for planning for open space. arrangements Stage Two: Consultation What is open space? − Councillors and Council Offi cers − key government agency stakeholders The Queensland Planning Provisions (QPP) defi ne public open space − Council review as a “means of outdoor spaces that are generally accessible to the Stage Three: Needs Assessment community and provide for a range of sport, recreation, cultural, − supply and demand assement entertainment or leisure pursuits”. For the planning scheme, the − gap analysis majority of open space is found under the Recreation Zone, where Stage Four: Preparation and Presentation of the Draft Study two sub-classifi cations are recommended, these being ‘Sport and − preparation of the draft Study Recreation’ and ‘Open Space’. Some types of open space can be − presentation of the draft Study charged through the Priority Infrastructure Plan, however, there are Stage Five: Finalisation. some variances between elements required for the Planning Scheme and those important for the development of the Priority Infrastructure Project Limitations Plan. The Study focuses on public open space in urban areas. State forests Purpose and national parks are excluded from this assessment. Privately- owned facilities have been included where the facility offers signifi cant The purpose of this Study, based on the information in the project brief community benefi ts for its open space attributes. Social infrastructure, is to “develop an open space plan for the region that has regard to namely community facilities, are also outside the scope, however, it is population projections and regional planning strategies and is capable of noted that many smaller-scale community facilities are located within being incorporated within the Priority Infrastructure Plan”. Key outputs urban parks, and these have been noted where relevant. (again from the project brief) are: Information contained within this Study is accurate as at August 2011. undertake site visits Any park developments or data updates since the time of inspection review the Regional Plan and Queensland Planning Provisions and will not have been taken into account. identify implications for open space planning review available open space and recreation planning studies Land identifi ed as, or potentially for, open space was dependant on relevant to the Bundaberg Region and other relevant existing Council mapping, database information and Offi cer knowledge. contemporary open space reports, including identifying standards Whilst all care was taken to ensure information was correct, it is not of service, projected shortfalls and gaps possible to guarantee that all information has been captured accurately. identify open space needs to 2031 based upon the draft Regional Site inspections of each open space asset recorded for this Study have Plan and State government population projections for defi ned occurred. Whilst this allowed for a much greater and more detailed planning areas understanding of the function of the land, it is a snapshot in time only. review open space provisions in existing planning schemes identify open space categories and catchment types for open Park classifi cations and hierarchy of open space have been based on the space defi nitions provided in the Study. identify standards of service for open space provision 1 Bundaberg Regional Council - Parks and Open Space Study 2 Background Research Literature Review Wide Bay Burnett Regional Plan Bundaberg Region 2031 The Wide Bay Burnett Regional Plan was released in September 2011. It covers six local The Bundaberg Region 2031 Our Future government areas (Bundaberg Regional Council, Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council, Fraser Spirit is a community plan that was adopted Coast Regional Council, Gympie Regional Council, North Burnett Regional Council and South by Council in 2011. It’s vision for the Region Burnett Regional Council). The Plan reognises Bundaberg City as a principal regional activity focuses on four strategic areas of community, centre that is supported by other centres in the area. Within Bundaberg Regional Council local environment, economy and governance. Key government area these areas are defi ned as Bargara, Gin Gin and Childers. The Plan has ten messages from the Plan in relation to open strategic themes, supported by a range of principles, policies and programs. The themes are space provision locally include: categorised as: attaining equitable access to facilities 1. sustainability, climate change and natural hazards providing quality public places and spaces 2. environment having a diverse range of opportunities, 3. natural resource management both in terms of activities and facilities 4. rural futures ensuring accessibility in terms of 5. strong communities employing more multi-modal options in 6. engaging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people the principal regional centre and multi- purpose hubs on the coast and in the 7. managing growth hinterlands 8. urban form recognising and preserving the unique 9. strong economy history, environment and heritage of the 10. infrastructure. Region The Plan also recognises a change in priorities for people choosing to live in the Bundaberg employing best practice designs and Region. The trends indicate that there is a shift from farming and agricultural productions to operational outcomes for the provision lifestyle choices (especially evident for coastal communities). The aging population and growth of facilities for the Region is seen as both a challenge and an opportunity. Key residential growth areas ensuring ethical governance. in the Bundaberg Regional Council local government area are predicted to be in the Kalkie/ Ashfi eld area and Branyan. Population growth will be supported by an expanded economy in Bundaberg Regional Council Bundaberg city. Additionally, the Plan recognises that demand for future residential development