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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