Nillumbik Playground Audit and Strategic Report
Sport, Recreation & Open Space Planning
The Nillumbik Playground Audit and Strategic Report developed by Play Force & Tredwell has been developed to recommend playspace works for the Shire of Nillumbik to action over a ten year period. This has been undertaken to ensure that the Shire of Nillumbik is providing safe playspace infrastructure that is up to date with today’s current play trends and that accommodates for future expected population growth.
The development of this report considers data gathered through the first external condition playground audit undertaken in Nillumbik since 2009. It incorporates a newly developed play value assessment framework, which aligns with the principles developed as part of the Nillumbik Lifetime play strategy. This play value framework has been utilised, alongside intensive playspace assessments and population growth studies and research to strategically provide tailored recommendations for each playspace within the Shire of Nillumbik over the next 10 years.
Currently, the Shire of Nillumbik has a total of 89 playspaces distributed across the Shire. The playspace audits have determined each facility’s overall condition based remaining life, current and desired play value rating, age based remaining life, supporting infrastructure, the age groups it caters to, its overall accessibility level and defect and non-conformance items. Impact Attenuation Testing was also a major component of this audit and has revealed any non-compliance and defect issues with rubber and Play Matta surfaces across the Shire. These tests have previously never been undertaken on playspaces within the Shire of Nillumbik and aim to improve the safety and functionality of playspaces for the community.
Through the combination of both the audit and assessment data and in-depth strategical research into current trends and the distribution of playspaces and future populations, key recommendations were detailed. The implementation of the works program will provide financial benefits to Council as it will eliminate the renewals of unsuitable playspaces and eliminate unneeded inspections and maintenance repairs.
The future state of play will aid in better catering to increasing populations, with the Shire of Nillumbik’s population forecasted to increase from the current 64,280 residents to a total of 70,391 by 2036 (+9.51%). The population of young people aged 0-19 is also expected to rise by 2.6% from 17,084 to 17,528 by 2036.
Following the implementation of the ten year capital works program, the Shire of Nillumbik will boast safe and compliant playspace facilities of suitable scales, located within strategic locations to better cater to the community. The playspaces will be at the forefront of the latest play trends, will provide excellent opportunities for youth development and will encourage active lifestyles across all ages.
