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TRESYLVA PARK MANAGEMENT PLAN
TRESYLVA PARK
MANAGEMENT PLAN
CONTENTS
ContentsSUMMARY ............................................................................................................................................... 3
INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................... 3
AIM AND PURPOSE ............................................................................................................................. 4
APPROACH TO THE PROJECT............................................................................................................... 4
STRUCTURE OF THE PLAN ................................................................................................................... 4
STUDY AREA / SCOPE .......................................................................................................................... 6
USE LIMITATIONS ................................................................................................................................ 6
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ....................................................................................................................... 6
VALUES AND CHARACTERISTICS ............................................................................................................. 6
INVESTIGATIONS AND REPORTING ..................................................................................................... 7
TITLE OF THE RESERVE ........................................................................................................................ 7
STAKEHOLDERS AND USERS OF THE RESERVE .................................................................................... 7
INFRASTRUCTURE AUDIT – WHAT IS THERE, ACCESS AND SERVICES ................................................. 8
FLORA AND FAUNA ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ................................................................................... 8
CURRENT SERVICE LEVELS AND MANAGEMENT REGIMES ................................................................. 9
CONSTRAINTS AND LIMITATIONS ....................................................................................................... 9
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS ............................................................................................................... 9
BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS ........................................................................................................ 10
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES .................................................................................................................. 10
STATUTORY / LEGISLATIVE ARRANGEMENTS ................................................................................... 10
OPEN SPACE DEVELOPMENT PRINCIPLES AND OBSERVATIONS ....................................................... 10
A VISION FOR TRESYLVA PARK .............................................................................................................. 11
MANAGEMENT ISSUES .......................................................................................................................... 11
ACTION PLAN ........................................................................................................................................ 12
APPENDICES .......................................................................................................................................... 13
Site information ................................................................................................................................ 13
Proposed Works 1 ............................................................................................................................. 14
Proposed Works 2 ............................................................................................................................. 15
Plant List ............................................................................................................................................ 16
Tresylva Park Management Plan Page 3
SUMMARYNorthern Areas Council is developing a master plan for Tresylva Park in consultation with the
community through stakeholder groups and interested parties.
Various groups within the Gladstone Community have expressed an interest in developing the park
to enhance the amenity of the reserve and to provide greater opportunity for both passive and
active recreation. This plan has been developed in consultation with the community to encompass a
range of views and pull the full scope of works together into a concise plan.
The plan articulates the goals of the community in the development of the reserve and incorporates
the environmental values of the site for preservation.
The program of capital development for the site is anticipated to be funded through grants,
community group “in kind” contributions and council capital works. Progress will be linked to
obtaining funding however the proposed implementation program for improvement works is
outlined in the following table with budget values:
Item Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
Paths $31,750 Action Play Equipment $16,000 Landscape preparation $43,500 Barbecue shelter and BBQ $38,500 Park furniture $22,750 Exercise Equipment $17,000
Totals $75,250 $77,250 $17,000
The total project budget is $169,500 over the three years (excluding GST)
There are operational costs for the ongoing maintenance of the reserve which are also identified
INTRODUCTIONGladstone has limited developed public open space. The reserve is situated in a triangular shaped
parcel with an area in the order of 4.2 hectares which incorporates the swimming pool, caravan park
and grassed road reserve and path. The parcel itself is 3.02 hectares, incorporating the caravan park
and the park alone is 25460m2 or 2.5 hectares.
The park was established circa 1922 and declared a memorial to the soldiers of the First World war.
Tresylva means 3 corners tree filled. The pool was added around 1957. The park originally contained
a field gun – canon and fountain. The fountain was removed after vandalism damage in the sixties
and the canon removed and reinstalled in the Main St.
A rotunda was also built for the original site.
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AIMANDPURPOSEThe provision of a single plan to draw together the community aspirations for the park is the aim and
purpose of this document. It provides a Strategic approach to the development of the park.
APPROACHTOTHEPROJECTThe project has been facilitated by council following an approach by the Rocky River Lions Club to
initiate a club response to the deterioration of the park. Wider interest from the community in the
park development has been shown through the range of community organisations actively involved
in the development of the plan.
Groups involved in consultation included:
Rocky River Lions Club
Gladstone Community Development and Tourism Association
Gladstone Primary School (adjacent Tresylva Park to the north)
Northern & Yorke NRM
Gladstone Ex‐service personnel group
Swimming Club
Caravan Park
The format of consultation included a number of meetings with members of the representative
groups at the Yangya Room in Gladstone and on site in the park.
Versions of the draft plan were circulated to the stakeholder groups from time to time as the
document developed to allow feedback and agreed development of the plan. A final draft was held
available at council offices and advertised on council’s website and Your Council app. The draft plan
development was made known through council reports, council’s quarterly newsletter and the
various represented committees.
A final plan was agreed by representatives of the stakeholder organisations and presented to council
and adopted in November 2017.
STRUCTUREOFTHEPLANThe Plan identifies the former and current uses of the park with opportunities for developing usage
through enhanced infrastructure and maintenance activity.
Components of the project include:
Removal of non‐native trees and landscaping of the ground to provide a mow‐able, trip free
expanse of park. Existing trees are at the end of their useful life with recent storms dropping
a number of the large straggly pines across fences and paths.
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Re‐vegetation of grasses and tree planting with appropriate native species to enhance the
visual amenity of the reserve and provide an indigenous flora oasis for local fauna.
Introduction of all abilities access pathways meandering through the trees, passing by
various features of the park.
Installation of picnic seating at various locations to facilitate outdoor family group activity
and individual reflection.
Relocation of existing exercise equipment and introduction of two new items of equipment
to promote exercise.
Introduction of an adventure play feature like a transparent climbing wall to further
promote physical activity, skill development and outdoor fun.
Addition of a second barbecue and shelter to enable individual groups to use the park
concurrently.
Re‐introduce a flag pole near the formal entry to provide facility for community
commemoration services and reinstate plantings around the base to enhance the entry and
provide an inviting visual welcome to visitors. Introduce an interpretive panel for historical
and locational information about the park.
The reserve has a history as a commemoration park for World War one however the linkage has
been eroded over a number of years. The project seeks to re‐establish the link through the
reinstatement of a flagpole and plantings at the base on the original location.
Situated on the northern entry to Gladstone and the junction of two highways, the reserve is well
located to attract visitors to the park through the caravan park and the swimming pool. There is a
spacious shady car park suitable for pulling over with towing vehicles off the highway on the south
western edge. The new attractions will enhance the likelihood of overnight stays for travellers.
The vision for the reserve which will guide future management decisions and development
opportunities is for a reserve that is inviting, informative, interactive and integrated to its location
and community.
Key management issues currently include the management of the grassed areas which are largely
un‐mow‐able due to the mounds created where trees have fallen in the past. Landscaping of the
area will address this issue and facilitate regular mowing. An objective of the community groups
represented is to include the community in the development of the reserve through contributions of
labour and some funding to elements of the plan and establish buy‐in for members of the
community to the ongoing management of the reserve.
There are limitations to the capacity of the community to maintain the park and council will increase
the regularity of maintenance to the park to ensure infrastructure is maintained in good condition,
The budget will require a number of grants for respective items to enable the purchase of
components of the plan which may impact on the proposed timeframes for the plan completion.
The project will feature as a strategic plan of council to monitor progress against the adopted plan.
Capital works will be budgeted as per the programme of expenditure over three years subject to
grant funding of component works.
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STUDYAREA/SCOPELocation of the reserve within the township
The reserve is on the western central end of the town of Gladstone, bordering the Horrocks Highway
and the main arterial route into the township.
USELIMITATIONSThere are no known limitations to the use of the site.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThe following groups along with individuals who provided information through consultation have
assisted in contributing information on the existing use of the park and issues they have identified
through the plan development:
Rocky River Lions Club
GCDTA
Schools?
NRM
Gladstone Ex‐service personnel group
Swimming Club
Caravan Park
VALUESANDCHARACTERISTICS
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INVESTIGATIONSANDREPORTING
Reference material for the plan and site included:
SAILIS web site
Nature Maps
Council Records
Anecdotal evidence from local residents of historical features and use
TITLEOFTHERESERVECrown Record – Volume 5939 Folio 566
Estate Type: Crown Land (alienated)
Custodian: Northern Areas Council
Description of Land: Sections 427, 428, 436 and 479 Hundred of Booyoolie in the area named
Gladstone.
Easements: Nil
Schedule of Interests: Land dedicated for parkland purposes pursuant to the Crown Lands Act, 1929
by Gazette 20/05/1982 (portion added by gazette 5/07/1990)
Community Land status: has NOT been excluded and therefore is subject to management in accordance with Community Land Management Plan or community consultation for any major changes.
Development Plan Zone: Community – a zone accommodating community, educational, recreational and health care facilities for the general public’s benefit. Also accommodating sensitively designed and sited tourist accommodation which is secondary to the primary use of the zone for community, recreation and public purposes.
STAKEHOLDERSANDUSERSOFTHERESERVEThe site provides an open space recreation area for guests of the Caravan Park.
Church group conducts services from time to time. Private use occurs for weddings and other
celebrations. The park has been used for such activities as Australia Day Breakfast, and
Remembrance Day services.
BBQ facilities are well used by travellers. Young people use the play equipment and families use the
space for picnics.
The park provides an area for dog walkers.
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INFRASTRUCTUREAUDIT–WHATISTHERE,ACCESSANDSERVICESThere are currently limited crusher dust paths, shelter & BBQ’s, accessible toilets, exercise
equipment, play equipment, a grassed area, numerous established trees and a drinking fountain.
Numbers of aged trees populate the perimeter of the reserve and provide shelter and shade to
grassed central areas.
Barriers to increased use include limited facilities which restrict multiple users from enjoying the
park simultaneously – shelter, seating and BBQ; Limited pathways that do not cater for all abilities
users. Awareness of the reserve and promotion of the reserve are considered to limit the use to a
small degree. The absence of a side gate on Cross St limits access.
Stormwater and general drainage improvements are needed to prevent stormwater wash out and
improve the walking surfaces.
FLORAANDFAUNAENVIRONMENTALISSUESPine trees populating the northern flank and into the centre of the reserve are at the end of their
useful lives and present a level of risk that is not desirable. Progressive replacement of pines with
more appropriate trees would enhance the reserve visually and reduce the risk inherent with old
trees prone to blowing over.
Weed growth and invasive weeds are becoming more prolific and require a dedicated program to
eliminate them.
Refer to Nature Maps appendix
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CURRENTSERVICELEVELSANDMANAGEMENTREGIMESCurrent maintenance regimes are ad‐hoc and reactive with no programmed maintenance occurring
by any groups or council.
A community member maintained the mowing of the park up to 18 months ago after which there
has been no regular maintenance. During this time there have been a number of trees blow over in
storms. These have been cleared however the soil at the root ball in each instance has not been
made good so areas are not able to be mown.
CONSTRAINTSANDLIMITATIONSWhile the caravan park and pool provide a ready resource of users of the park they border the
reserve and provide a physical barrier to expansion. The park’s proximity to roads is moderated by
fences however a pedestrian access gate off Cross St is not currently provided.
PHYSICALCHARACTERISTICSThe park is in Gladstone South Australia. Its physical boundaries are the roads around the perimeter.
Namely: Horrocks Highway, West Terrace and Cross St. The park is on the side of a gently hill with
the high point of the land at the north east corner sloping gently to the south west.
A school is opposite the north boundary over Cross St, houses sit opposite the east boundary on
West Terrace and a highway bordered by privately managed bushland edges the far side of the
highway on the south east boundary.
Wide grassed aprons surround the park up to the road edges.
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BIOLOGICALCHARACTERISTICSThere are some three hundred or so trees in the reserve. Many of these are pines with assorted
eucalypts and other introduced varieties scattered throughout. There are no identified indigenous or
endangered species within the reserve. There is significant weed growth along with remnant
plantings of more structured elements of garden. The visual amenity provided by plantings is of a
low standard.
ENVIRONMENTALISSUESThere are no identified natural heritage issues to be managed in this reserve.
STATUTORY/LEGISLATIVEARRANGEMENTSThe land is in a Zone allowing the development proposed within this plan, and the plan does not
contravene the requirements of applicable land management and associated legislation.
OPENSPACEDEVELOPMENTPRINCIPLESANDOBSERVATIONSCurrent practice in Open Space development identifies 10 key principles applicable to open space
planning and development. These are applied to the development of this plan.
I. Fairness Equality & Access
II. Life‐long Involvement
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III. Quality of Experience and Safety
IV. Continuous Improvement
V. Sustainability
VI. Multiple‐use and Efficiency
VII. Diversity of Opportunities
VIII. Partnerships/Shared Responsibility
IX. Making a Whole‐of‐Council Commitment
X. Organisational Capacity
AVISIONFORTRESYLVAPARKTresylva Park is an open space asset which provides a safe and supportive out door experience to
residents and visitors to Gladstone. Facilitating exercise of body and mind the passive and active
recreation opportunities provided in the park enhances the lives of those who visit.
The development of the park through the proposed action plan will realise the vision the community
has for the park.
MANAGEMENTISSUESRegular maintenance is considered a key issue to be managed in the future. The state of the ground
where trees have fallen and weeds allowed to proliferate has inhibited a more effective
maintenance schedule being implemented in the past.
Regular public open space maintenance has not been programmed in the past leading to ad‐hoc
attendance to public assets. Measures are being developed and gradually implemented to amend
these gaps in service provision.
Tresylva Park Management Plan Page 12
ACTIONPLANThe action plan incorporates a range of capital improvements for the site with an implementation
plan covering three years. The funding for these is proposed to come from a range of contributors
including Service clubs, council and grants as they become available. Some works, like the tree
removal will require a cooperative effort between council and community groups to realise
additional community benefits from resource recovery. The production of firewood through the
service clubs for on‐selling to provide funds for some of the works is a proposition to explore.
Also, associated maintenance activities which are an ongoing operating expense in order to maintain
the assets and the visual amenity of the park at acceptable levels of service to the community are
identified as an ongoing expense. Items like tree maintenance and playground maintenance are
likely to fluctuate year by year subject to demand associated with storms and vandalism.
Council are able to provide a base level of maintenance service to the park with the involvement of
community groups in managing elements of the landscape.
Maintenance and capital cost summary:
Capital Costs
Item Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
Paths $31,750 Action Play Equipment $16,000 Landscape preparation $43,500 Barbecue shelter and BBQ $38,500 Park furniture $22,750 Exercise Equipment $17,000
Totals $75,250 $77,250 $17,000
Maintenance Summary
Item Agency Annual costs
Track maintenance Community ? Mowing – Grass Care Council $10,500 Weed control Council $1000 Tree Maintenance Council $2500 Park Furniture Council $1500 Park Buildings Community ? Playground Council $2000 Soft scape – plant and plantings maintenance Community ?
Totals $17,500+
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APPENDICES
Siteinformation
Tresylva Park Management Plan Page 14
ProposedWorks1
Tresylva Park Management Plan Page 15
ProposedWorks2
Tresylva Park Management Plan Page 16
PlantList
