GONE is the track glider, there’s no money for a new rotunda and the skate area has been cut by a third but Bass Coast Council has finally given the green light for a major upgrade to Graydens Reserve in Newhaven.
Council was told last week the final version of the Graydens Reserve Master Plan had been tailored to meet the needs of the local community to improve access and use of a well-loved play space.
Graydens Reserve is popular with visitors and local residents alike and already features a basketball half-court, children’s playground and open green spaces with spectacular views of the San Remo channel and Phillip Island bridge.
The new master plan includes an extensive upgrade to the existing play space and a unique skate facility to replace what was an aging skate box.
Bass Coast Mayor Cr Rochelle Halstead joined councillors last week in welcoming the master plan thanking council staff for their work in the long design and consultation process.
Mayor Halstead said she had been involved in the planning process for some years.
“I love to see it as it is now. We may not have got in everything but those here have done an amazing job.”
Island Ward Councillor Tracey Bell also welcomed the final version of the plan voicing concerns that some parents may not have had the opportunity to attend feedback sessions during working hours.
“I would like to have seen more complex elements in the skate park,” said Cr Bell.
The Graydens Reserve project draws on strategic visions outlined in Active Bass Coast Strategy 2018, Bass Coast Play-Space Strategy 2018, the 2023 Skate Park Strategy Review and accommodates road reserve space needed for future VicRoads works.
Despite its current limitations planners say the budget does not allow for a new rotunda.
Graydens Reserve is already categorised as an on-leash area for dogs.
The master plan strikes a balance between open lawn space and plantings with recreational amenities such as a basketball ring and a skate space focussed on beginner skills.
A survey conducted by Bass Council produced a range of responses.
“We like the green space and want less concrete.
“We want to keep the same vibe.
“We don’t want a large skate park.
“It needs to suit all ages many older people live in the town.
“We like to have play activities for all ages including basketball and a skate ramp.”
The master plan celebrates local trees with a reduced mulch area to create more lawn.
A concrete path to the bus stop is to be removed.
The skate area will be reduced from 300sqm to approximately 200sqm and moved closer to the reserve boundary with open air bench seats and picnic tables provided for socialising and parties.
Additional swings will be installed and a climbing feature.
The most popular activities with survey respondents were basketball, flow humps, quarter pipe, nature play, climbing and basket swinging.
The existing half court concrete slab with basketball hoop and backboard will be retained with new line-marking, netball ring and soccer goal.
The multi-use track glider which has proved popular will be removed.
Final approval of the Master Plan will enable Council to apply for State Government funding for the project estimated to cost between $800,000 and $1,000,000.
Council’s Long Term Financial Plan and Skate Strategy reserve allocated $350,000 towards the reserve upgrade however the inclusive, multi-use nature of the project is considered suitable for funding streams offered through Sport and Recreation Victoria.
The Grayden’s Reserve project began after the Bass Coast Skate Strategy 2018-28 identified a medium-term opportunity to construct a new regional skate facility in the San Remo-Newhaven area.
Funding of $650,000 was secured for this project from Sports and Recreation Victoria in December 2018 however detailed investigations identified significant site constraints on the San Remo foreshore which saw the regional skate park relocated to Newhaven.
The need to renew the aging play space at Graydens Reserve was identified in the Bass Coast Play Space Strategy which saw an opportunity to develop a small beginner level skate park to cater for Newhaven, San Remo and Cape Woolamai.
Several site constraints and the history of the park were considered including a portion of the park area sitting within the Phillip Island Road Reserve which can be re-claimed by Regional Roads Victoria.
A risk identified from the start of the planning process was that the project may cause concern amongst residents split between those who wanted a skate park and those who did not.
Council was told the final plan brings together the communities' ideas and aspirations as much as possible within the scope of the project and site constraints.
A four-week community consultation process between May and June last year included online surveys aimed at both adults and children, plus two in-person sessions in the park.
Council received 162 online surveys and around 20 people attended the park sessions.
The draft concept plan placed on public exhibition for community feedback in August 2024 attracted a significant community response with key requests including increased open grass area and trees, additional play elements, swings, challenging items and an increased number of picnic tables.
As a result of the feedback obtained several changes were made to the original concept including revised play space design with a larger net, a longer slide and additional swings, reduced overall footprint for the play space, an updated skate design that looked less like a pump track and catered to more skaters, and additional tables and park benches for older adults accompanying children.
The detailed Master Plan has now been described by council staff as ‘shovel ready’.
The Graydens Reserve master plan can be found at basscoast.vic.gov.au/assets/agendas-minutes/attachments/8.1-Graydens-Reserve-Master-Plan.pdf
