City Of Perth
PLAYCE
Playful Perth is an industry best-practice design guidelines for play in a highly urban context.
Bradfield Development Authority
Central Park is a powerful act of nation-building, defining how Australia's newest city, Bradfield City, begins — with Country, culture and care at its heart. Applying an Australian-first, Traditional Custodian co-design approach throughout a national design competition and beyond, it transforms public space into a place of belonging, healing and shared identity. More than a park, it weaves reconciliation, climate resilience and social wellbeing into the foundations of city-making, setting a new benchmark for how Australia honours its oldest cultures and proudly shapes its future.
Tweed Shire Council
The Turnock Park Upgrade is a revitalised, accessible and flood‑resilient riverside play space created with strong community input. The project delivers nature‑based play, inclusive pathways and facilities, a new accessible toilet block, safer access, improved parking and better links to the foreshore. Designed for all ages and abilities, the renewed park has become a well‑used community hub supporting play, connection and recovery after the 2022 floods.
KOMPAN Australia Pty Ltd
Lorikeet Park playspace is a vibrant, nature‑inspired destination playground featuring a giant Rainbow Lorikeet sculpture, an elevated bird‑nest climbing structure, and inclusive play experiences for all ages. Set atop SkyRidge with sweeping views of the Gold Coast skyline, the expansive playspace blends imaginative design, accessibility, and sustainable materials. Lorikeet Park has become a community hub where families connect, explore, and play outdoors.
Manningham Council
Hepburn Reserve is a flagship urban park that realises a long held vision for high quality, accessible green space supporting high density living in Doncaster Hill. Innovative terracing, integrated sustainability and strong community co design have transformed a steep site into a highly used civic landmark with lasting social, environmental and economic benefits.
Otium Planning Group
The redeveloped Inverell Aquatic Centre is a contemporary regional hub, delivering flexible and innovative design solutions that maximise community benefit through inclusive, high‑quality facilities. Shaped by extensive community engagement, careful planning and strong collaboration, the Centre represents a landmark investment in the health, wellbeing and liveability of Inverell and the wider region.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council
Places to Play is Port Macquarie-Hastings Council’s integrated recreation planning framework for parks, play, sport and community spaces across the LGA. Delivered through a suite of sub-plans, it provides a clear, evidence-based approach to planning, renewing and upgrading recreation infrastructure. The framework improves equity, inclusion, accessibility and long-term sustainability, while linking community need to Council’s delivery, capital works and asset management priorities.
KOMPAN Australia Pty Ltd
The HOTA Parklands Outdoor Gym is a modern, dual‑zone facility designed to support the active lifestyle of Gold Coast residents and visitors. Located within the scenic HOTA Parklands the facility provides an inviting environment for people to exercise, socialise, and enjoy the outdoors. Accessibility has been integrated into the design through wheelchair friendly pathways and synthetic softfall surfacing. The equipment itself is manufactured with a strong focus on sustainability, using high levels of recycled materials and environmentally responsible production methods.
City of Moreton Bay
The long-awaited John Bray Park nature play, and recreation precinct meets a strategic network deficiency. By negotiation with a developer, Council was able to secure land required for both local and district level outcomes. It features a bespoke tower, flying fox, inclusive carousel, waterplay elements and shaded social spaces. The upgrade provides intergenerational, accessible play experiences and enhanced recreation opportunities, creating a high amenity district destination for families, schools and visitors of all ages.
Toowoomba Regional Council
Kearneys Spring Amenities Upgrade delivers a practical, future ready community facility for Touch Football, Softball, schools and locals. It supports Toowoomba Regional Council’s People and Place goals by creating a safer, more inclusive precinct that helps people connect and belong. Delivered with a community first focus, durable energy efficient design and accessible amenities reflect Toowoomba Regional Council’s values of safety and wellbeing, respect and accountability, with better value over time.
More Than Water: How Palm Beach Aquatics and Community Centre Delivers Health, Inclusion and Community Pride at Scale
Community Facility of the Year
QLD
City of Gold Coast
Palm Beach Aquatic and Community Centre sets a new benchmark for contemporary community infrastructure. Re‑imagined as a sub‑regional hub for health, inclusion and connection, PBACC shows how integrated design, accessibility leadership and sustainable operations can deliver exceptional participation and wellbeing. Through place‑led investment, PBACC has become a civic heart—creating lasting community pride and legacy for the southern Gold Coast.
Toowoomba Regional Council
Toowoomba Regional Council’s Joseph J Leadbetter Park – Skatepark upgrade transformed an ageing facility into the city’s only dedicated street-style skatepark. With progression features facilitating ongoing learning opportunities and maintaining interest, supported by accessible paths, shade and seating, it’s a welcoming destination for locals and visitors. High-quality concrete, clear sightlines and refuge areas support safe shared use and longer stays. Shaped through community input and specialist partnerships, it integrates with the wider park to build a safer, vibrant place to play.
City of Burnside
The Sports Libraries initiative is a simple but powerful concept that reimagines how communities access recreation. Just like a traditional library—where you borrow books—these libraries allow residents to borrow sports equipment for free in local parks and open spaces. By removing cost and access barriers, the initiative encourages spontaneous physical activity, activates public spaces and creates opportunities for people of all ages to connect, play and be active in their community.
Sunshine Coast Council Dog Exercise Area Regional Plan and Network Blueprint 2025-45
Strategic Planning
QLD
Sunshine Coast Regional Council
The Sunshine Coast Council Dog Exercise Area Regional Plan and Network Blueprint 2025-45 sets a balanced long-term strategic framework to plan, locate and manage dog exercise areas. It guides investment and operations to deliver a sustainable network that considers future needs, reflects community values and priorities, and protects the region’s environmental and cultural assets.
Electrification of the pool heater at the George Bolton Swimming Centre, Hazelwood Park
Environment and Sustainability Initiative
SA/NT
City of Burnside
The City of Burnside delivered a major sustainability upgrade at the George Bolton Swimming Centre by replacing its gas heating system with efficient electric heat pumps. The project cuts emissions by 75 per cent, protects a 150‑year‑old River Red Gum and surrounding biodiversity, avoids disturbance to First Creek, and enhances the landscape while delivering a modern, reliable, year round community facility.
Port Phillip City Council
The Sol Green Reserve upgrade delivers an inclusive, modern and nature rich playspace featuring accessible equipment, improved safety, expanded sport courts and enhanced landscaping. The project strengthens community connection, supports active and creative play, and revitalises a key neighbourhood park for all ages and abilities.
City of Greater Geelong
The City of Greater Geelong delivered the Barwon Heads Bowling Club Pavilion as part of the Village Park Master Plan, creating a modern, inclusive community facility. Developed in partnership with the club and community, the pavilion features flexible social spaces overlooking the greens, improved accessibility and sustainable design. Delivered through a Design and Construct model with MKM Constructions, the project strengthens Village Park as a vibrant hub for sport, recreation and community connection.
Reimagining the River: A New Chapter for the Barwon Precinct, Winchelsea
Regional Industry Initiative
VIC/TAS
Surf Coast Shire
The Reimagining the River initiative has transformed the Winchelsea Barwon River precinct into a vibrant regional hub supporting growth, tourism and community wellbeing. Delivered 2021–2025, the project integrates a $9.3M aquatic facility, adventure playground, river walk and community gathering spaces to replace ageing infrastructure and improve connectivity. Patronage at the new pool has increased by 87%, while enhanced public spaces attract families, visitors and events—boosting local business, celebrating heritage and strengthening Winchelsea’s identity as a thriving rural destination.
Tredwell Management Services
Tredwell, in collaboration with ARCHITECTURETHAT!, undertook The Port Elliot Oval Changerooms Redevelopment Needs Assessment to identify the infrastructure required to support contemporary sporting participation and ensure the facility can meet future community needs. The assessment provided the strategic evidence base to support Alexandrina Council, Southern Breakers Soccer Club and Port Elliot Cricket Club successfully securing $1.07 million in funding through the Power of Her – Infrastructure and Participation Program, enabling the delivery of modern, inclusive changeroom facilities.
Morayfield Skate Park – Reimagining Youth Recreation and Regional Activation
Community Facility of the Year
QLD
City of Moreton Bay
Morayfield Skate Park has become one of the region’s most dynamic community spaces - an inclusive, major‑level facility blending bowls, plaza elements and a rare vert ramp with cultural features such as the Trent Riley memorial. Its event-readiness now spans local activation to the World Skate Oceania Scootering Championships, amplified by the Rumble Roadshow with Olympic‑level demos, coaching and a custom City of Moreton Bay carpet snake skateboard deck created for the event.
Blacktown City Council
Kevin Betts Stadium has been transformed into Western Sydney’s premier inclusive indoor sport hub. Doubling court capacity and embedding disability co design, the upgrade delivers equitable access, gender inclusive amenities, improved thermal comfort, and a signature show court, driving participation, community pride and health outcomes across one of Australia’s most diverse, fast growing regions.
Greening the Pipeline Program and Partnership - Zone 5
Innovation in Parks, Sport and Recreation
VIC/TAS
Wyndham City Council
Greening the Pipeline Program and Partnership is a bold and innovative transformation of Melbourne’s historic Main Outfall Sewer (MOS) corridor into a vibrant, climate resilient public space that brings together heritage, culture, ecology and recreation. The implementation of Zone 5 demonstrates how underutilised linear infrastructure can be re imagined as a connected green spine that supports community wellbeing, active transport and environmental resilience. The MOS is a 27 kilometre long, heritage listed sewer easement constructed in the 1890s and decommissioned in 1993. While no longer ope
South Gippsland Shire Council and South Gippsland Landcare Network MOU
Environment and Sustainability Initiative
VIC/TAS
South Gippsland shire Council
The South Gippsland Landcare–Council Partnership delivers strategic, community led environmental action across the Shire. Through shared planning, pest and weed management, biodiversity protection, biolinks mapping, and collaborative projects like Pedal & Plant and Rail Trail restoration, the partnership enhances habitat, strengthens sustainability, and builds long term environmental resilience.
Cockburn ARC City of Cockburn
The Cockburn ARC Health & Fitness Expansion and Community Sports Facility Evolution demonstrate how data driven planning, architectural excellence and genuine collaboration can transform a highly utilised community asset into a future-ready regional hub. Through a $17 million investment, careful stakeholder governance and a commitment to inclusivity and sustainability, the project has: • Addressed immediate capacity pressures • Secured long-term financial viability • Elevated standards for women’s sport • Strengthened social connection and participation across all ages.
City of Gosnells
Mary Carroll Park All Abilities All Ages Playspace invites visitors into a landscape alive with water, wildlife and Noongar stories. Custom play elements echo local ecology and bush tucker, honouring a legacy of learning on Country. With the iconic Giant Gilgie emerging from the wetland, vibrant Noongar tree canopy shade sails and immersive nature play, the space is fully accessible, inclusive and crafted for all generations and cultures to wander, discover and belong.
City of Perth
Harold Boas Gardens Playspace brings the City’s Playful Perth ambitions to life by delivering a welcoming, nature rich destination that embeds diverse types of play into experiences for children and families by encouraging movement, imagination, connection and confidence building. The renewed playspace advances the City’s aspirations for play—Fun, Welcoming, Dynamic and Meaningful places—by welcoming children into the renowned paradise-style Garden’s mature tree canopy.
City of Moreton Bay
Billabong Place Park is an inclusive, nature themed play space featuring a climbing tower, log cubby, nature inspired circuit with the use of log steppers, sandstone seating and accessible pathways. Retained trees and native planting enrich the space, creating a welcoming community hub embraced by local families for play, connection and outdoor recreation. The project meets a long-term deficiency in the catchment for provision of contemporary recreation facilities.
Nature Play Solutions
City of Melville
The Dyoondalup / Point Walter play space introduces children and the broader community to culturally significant Wadjuk Noongar narratives, strengthening cultural connections to Wadjuk Noongar culture through design, art and play. The project was shaped through respectful consultation and a collaborative co-design process with First Nations representatives.
Blue Mountains City Council
The revitalisation of Mount Victoria Park is a successful step towards Blue Mountains City Council’s Community Strategic Plan goal that By 2050, we are a more inclusive, healthy and vibrant eco-City. Using a combination of pragmatism, expertise, community input and imagination, the park is now fulfilling its role on a neighbourhood, local and district level.
City of Moreton Bay
The Burpengary Sports Complex – Youth Recreation Hub delivers an accessible blend of basketball, climbing, skate friendly elements, landscaping and urban art. Designed to meet an identified local youth need, it revitalises the precinct with safe, inclusive and contemporary recreation that strengthens social connection, participation and community pride. The location of the facility draws young people away from the nearby shopping centre and holds siblings of sports clubs close to the established adjacent sports complex, Library and Community Centre.