Decision details

Moved by Councillor Scott, seconded by Councillor Ellsmore –

It is resolved that:

(A)       Council note:

(i)         Woolloomooloo Playground is located adjacent to Dowling Street and Pring Street, Woolloomooloo;

(ii)        the Playground has been identified for renewal as part of the Stage 15 small parks and playgrounds improvement program;

(iii)       the project brief is to refurbish the playground area, replace end of life equipment and soft fall, provide a range of play experiences for children of different ages and abilities, and improve accessibility and circulation into and through the playground, as well as provide additional seating to the playground and associated landscape improvements. Opportunities have also been identified to remove walls and other visual barriers to create a more open and welcoming environment;

(iv)       early consultation was undertaken with Plunkett Street Public School students and local residents in November 2019, asking what they would most like to be able to do at the Playground; 

(v)        draft concept plans were presented to the community between 20 July and 24 August 2020, including on the City’s website, on signs at the Playground, in a letter to nearby residents and via email to local organisations and community groups;

(i)         in 2021, Aboriginal elders provided feedback on the draft concept plans on multiple occasions;

(ii)        works on the Playground were set to take place in November 2022;

(iii)       residents and resident action groups have highlighted their concerns about the lack of consultation and notification that took place regarding the proposed changes/upgrades to the Woolloomooloo Playground Area, and the time that has elapsed since the consultation;

(iv)       although the upgrades are welcomed by the community, however, as beneficiaries and the most knowledgeable about the parks needs, they request to have further input into the upgrades;

(v)        the Lord Mayor held a Woolloomooloo Community Meeting on 8 November 2022, at which residents raised this matter and the Lord Mayor undertook that additional meetings would be held with Plunkett Street Public School students and the broader community;

(vi)       City of Sydney staff met with Plunkett Street Public School students on 21 November 2022 to solicit their feedback on the proposed design; and

(vii)      City of Sydney staff have organised a community meeting to receive further input into the design and upgrades to be included in the development; and

(B)       the Chief Executive Officer be requested to:

(i)         continue the process of engaging with the community and pursue their input on the changes and upgrades to be included in the development before commencing the project; and

(ii)        update Councillors via the CEO Update, about how the community’s feedback has been integrated into the development.

The motion, as varied by consent, was carried unanimously.

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