2
Nature play space Lifestyle changes and shrinking backyards have sparked a growing need for quality public open spaces, particularly places where children can interact with the natural environment. Nature play spaces focus on including natural elements such as trees, climbing logs, rocks, grass, sand pits, mounds and tunnels. The Mills Park nature play space will have areas for making cubbies, a double flying fox, timber climbing apparatus, water play, swings and slides. A path network will be used for scooter and bicycle riding. The play space will be designed to be multi-generational and require varying levels of skill. The area will be complemented by family picnic areas with barbeques and shade shelters and the café will have an alfresco area overlooking the play space. Mills Park Master Plan finalised After many years of investigations, consultation, design development and options, the Mills Park Master Plan has been finalised. The Master Plan will deliver a new community facility, expanded green areas, new sports buildings, increased car parking, improved irrigation, rehabilitation of the wetlands and waterways, a significant nature play playground, piazza and youth space. The community facility has been designed to achieve a Green Star rating. This is a comprehensive approach to design and construction focusing on environmental sustainability. The City is aiming to achieve a five-star rating, which will be a first in WA for a building of this nature. Enclosed is a full description of the project, as the final version of the Master Plan differs slightly from preliminary designs. One of the most anticipated outcomes of the Master Plan is a new community centre, which will accommodate all users. About Mills Park Mills Park in Beckenham is a 24 hectare recreational space with high levels of sport and passive recreation use. It has significant environmental areas where Woodlupine and Yule Brooks meet, as well as wetlands and native bush areas. The Mills Park Master Plan has been developed to create a community hub that will increase sporting, leisure and social opportunities for the community while preserving and celebrating the park’s natural assets. Once the Mills Park community facility is complete, the nearby Beckenham Community Centre will be decommissioned. What’s changed since the Concept Plan? A piazza has replaced the lawn bowls greens and there are some minor realignments of the synthetic pitches, tennis courts and skate plaza. The car park near the synthetic pitches has also been retained. Realignment of the synthetics, tennis courts and skate plaza was included to reduce any impact on the main drain that runs beneath the site. Mills Park Bowling Club members were offered an opportunity to partner with Cannington Bowling Club and develop a proposal for new facilities in Queens Park. Club members accepted this opportunity and have moved to Cannington while the Queens Park proposal is developed. The new piazza will be an ideal space to host community events, bringing greater diversity to the local community. The next stage Completed Demolition works for the removal of the Mills Park Bowling Club house and greens, cricket practice nets, skate park and BMX track has been completed. More than 80% of the demolition materials were recycled, including the cricket nets that were relocated to Beckenham Primary School by the Kenwick Royals Cricket Club. The site’s power supply has been upgraded. Construction tenders for the redevelopment of Mills Park have commenced with recommendations expected to be presented to Council in early 2015. Next steps With any large-scale project some disruption is expected, however the City is making every effort to reduce the impact on the local community. Throughout the construction process, residents and users will be kept informed with newsletters and updates of what is proposed to happen and when. User groups that need to be relocated will be given as much notice as possible and, where feasible, will be relocated within the local area. Users of the Beckenham Community Centre will remain at that facility until the new Mills Park Community Facility is completed, before relocating. At this time, the City cannot advise the timeline as this will be negotiated with the successful contractor. Once completed, the City will deliver one of Perth’s finest community and sporting facilities – creating a place to be enjoyed by local people for many years to come. The City thanks you in advance for your patience as this complete overhaul of Mills Park is delivered to create a wonderful community hub for your future enjoyment. If you would like any further information, please call the City’s Facilities Planning Coordinator on 9397 3237 or email [email protected] City of Gosnells PO Box 662 Gosnells WA 6990 9397 3000 [email protected] www.gosnells.wa.gov.au Community feedback If you would like to provide feedback on this project please do one of the following: Post: City Facilities 2120 Albany Highway Gosnells WA 6110 Email: [email protected] Phone: 9397 3237 (Facilities Planning Coordinator) Regular updates For regular updates on the progress of the Mills Park Project: • Look for the City Update advertisement in local newspapers every quarter • Visit www.gosnells.wa.gov.au/cityprojects • Email [email protected] • Phone 9397 3237 MASTER PLAN Environmental focus The Mills Park project celebrates the area’s unique environmental attributes by focusing on the following: • Yule Brook, Woodlupine Brook and the wetlands will be significantly enhanced with the removal of non-local vegetation and litter • A planting and maintenance program that will restore native vegetation • The water quality and quantity has been extensively studied and improvements through planned vegetation will enhance the quality of water on-site • New native vegetation will attract fauna • Tree removal has been kept to an absolute minimum and the remaining trees will be protected from development • Access to sensitive areas will be controlled with new pathways and entry points • The irrigation basin will be drought-proofed. Traffic management A new roundabout at the intersection of Brixton and Sydenham Streets will provide access to the main car park. Car parking will be increased across the entire site. The new car parks will be lit and all storm water will be treated before entering Yule Brook.There will also be on-site bus parking and turn around bays. Piazza A community event space will be constructed with a stage area, viewing space, path bench seating, climbing frame and grass embankment. The landscaping has a feature path that reflects the merging of the Yule and Woodlupine Brooks and local native vegetation. It is envisioned that the piazza will be used for community events and festivals. Sporting upgrades The sports surfaces at Mills Park are being significantly upgraded to address issues of drainage, irrigation and level surfaces. The surfaces are all being replaced from the sub-structure to the turf, which will improve the drainage and level the ground. The turf will be hydro-zoned, which means establishing a water hierarchy and ensuring areas are watered according to need. All of the turf areas have been increased in size to allow for rotation of field markings to reduce wear and tear. New infrastructure includes two synthetic sports surfaces for rectangular sports, four new tennis courts, two new facilities with change rooms, kiosks, umpire rooms and storage, and new cricket practice nets. New sports floodlighting will be provided across the entire site, including lighting for small ball sports. The community facility will house clubrooms for all sports groups. Skate plaza Designed for Mills Park by local young people and Skateboarding Australia, the skate plaza will cater for all skill levels. It will feature an integrated mini-ramp with terraced connections and gaps to enable users to flow through the plaza, across the banks, drops, gaps, ledges, stairs, rails and transitions. The Mills Park skate plaza design offers large runs across the space, as well as smaller elements that can be used independently. Strolling in Mills Park Mills Park will have a 4.2km path network that navigates the entire site, plus the wetlands and a boardwalk along Woodlupine Brook. For the more health conscious, there will be a fitness track with exercise stations around the larger sports reserve. A picnic area and barbeques will be located near the nature play space. Shade shelters, seats and drink fountains for humans and pets have also been included in the design at various locations around the park. The new Green Star rated community facility at Mills Park will feature: • A new community hall and function centre with commercial kitchen capable of seating 300 people • Two new meeting rooms with tea preparation areas that can be combined into one larger space • Two multi-purpose activity spaces • Indoor play space suitable for playgroups and children’s parties • Café with outdoor seating area • Clubroom and kitchen for sporting groups • Six new change rooms • Two umpires rooms • Public toilets • Office space for City staff. Why has the City focused on a Green Star accredited building? Green Star is a comprehensive, national, voluntary, environmental rating system that evaluates the environmental design and construction of buildings and communities. The attributes required for a Green Star accreditation begin at the design phase and are implemented during construction and continued during operational periods. Just a few of the benefits of a Green Star accredited building are: • Lower operating costs • Productivity benefits • Reduced liability and risk • Healthier places to live and work. Mills Park – Master plan Mills Park – Building plan Making the C ity of Gosnel ls a great place. PRODUCED: DECEMBER 2014
