NSW/ACT Awards Submissions

Orange City Council

The upgrade of Orange's most popular recreation spot, Lake Canobolas, began in June 2023. The $1.3 million upgrade, funded by the NSW Government, Orange City Council and Cadia Valley Operations, includes ten projects which improve access to the water for all community members. The projects include retaining walls to make the Lake's two beaches more accessible, a wheelchair accessible floating boardwalk, two new accessible amenities blocks and new shade structures. The projects were developed after community engagement around the Lake Canobolas Masterplan.

Arcadia Landscape Architecture

Lane Cove Council

The only park built over a railway line in Australia, Wadanggari Park is the result of innovative thinking and a collaborative, multi-disciplinary approach. This highly complex project delivers much-needed public open space to the St Leonards CBD, supporting the new residential and commercial communities moving into the suburb. Wadanggari Park provides significant open space amenity with spaces for play, passive recreation, events, alfresco dining, vibrant retail and pedestrian connections to existing and future public transport infrastucture.

Lismore City Council

The "Opening Our Heart" 2023 initiative in Lismore commemorated the community's resilience a year after the devastating flood of February 2022. Among the series of events, the Legends of the Game 20/20 Cricket Picnic Day stood out, drawing 4200 attendees from Lismore and neighbouring areas. Its immense popularity and positive reception have led to plans for it to become an annual event. This initiative contributed significantly to the social, cultural, and economic well-being of the community, fostering unity, providing entertainment, and boosting local businesses.

Shoalhaven City Council

Artie Smith Oval exists within the Northern Shoalhaven community as a long-term sporting venue for local cricket and AFL, as well as being a meaningful public open space for the adjoining residential neighbourhood. The Artie Smith Oval upgrade delivers a functional venue for the respective sports at state and local level, whilst also retaining an attractive community park character. The project delivers for the Shoalhaven an integrated community and recreational precinct through the provision of multi-functional, sustainable and future-proof sporting infrastructure.

Lismore City Council

"Park Fun" was a community initiative transforming leisure time into a family experience. Our free six-week series fostered inclusivity with diverse activities including craft, play, soccer, fitness, relaxation and dinner. More than just fun "Park Fun" had a positive impact on health, well-being, and community unity.

Tredwell Management

Snowy Valleys Council collaborated with Tredwell Management for a Regional Tracks and Trails Masterplan. This plan aims to connect towns and villages in the region, enhancing connectivity, promoting sustainable exploration, and preserving the natural environment and cultural heritage.

Blacktown City Council

Grantham Heritage Park, situated on the grounds of the former Grantham Poultry Research Station, holds both historical and social importance. The newly established playspace, provides social, educational and historical experiences. The playspace caters to people of all ages, abilities, genders and cultural backgrounds; fostering a communal space for enjoyment, exercise and socialising. The Grantham Heritage Park playspace showcases design excellence and innovation by minimally intervening in the existing heritage fabric while thoughtfully introducing new and lively play experiences.

Otium Planning Group

Otium Planning Group undertook a Review of Supply and Demand for Sport Facilities across the North Sydney Region of Councils Region. The research study provides an evidence based approach to the analysis of demand for sporting infrastructure across eight Local Government Areas. It quantifies the current and forecast deficit of space for sport provision and providing a range of opportunities to address this shortfall.

Hornsby Shire Council

Group GSA

Ruddock Park, a park for everyone, resulted from a transformative upgrade, introducing innovative features such as a Learn-to-Ride play area, spaces for tweens (9-12 years old), active play for teenagers, accessible pathways, and inclusive amenities. Through extensive community consultation, the park's design was refined to meet diverse needs, including improved accessibility and recreational facilities for all ages. With its vibrant new infrastructure and sustainable design elements, Ruddock Park stands as a model of inclusive and engaging public space for the community to enjoy.

Hornsby Shire Council

Group GSA

Ruddock Park, a park for everyone, resulted from a transformative upgrade, introducing innovative features such as a Learn-to-Ride play area, spaces for tweens (9-12 years old), active play for teenagers, accessible pathways, and inclusive amenities. Through extensive community consultation, the park's design was refined to meet diverse needs, including improved accessibility and recreational facilities for all ages. With its vibrant new infrastructure and sustainable design elements, Ruddock Park stands as a model of inclusive and engaging public space for the community to enjoy.

Wollongong City Council

Stuart Park All Ages All Abilities Playground is inspired by and built for adults with disability. Informed by The Playground Project, a collaboration between the University of Wollongong, the Disability Trust and Council, we worked with adults with intellectual disability, to understand their play preferences. The playground caters for larger adult bodies with intellectual disability and offers multiple challenges whereby all users can learn new skills, make friends and build long-term resilience and confidence to tackle the world.

Blue Mountains City Council

Blackheath Memorial Park has been restored to its rightful place as a tourism destination and Blackheath's social hub. Celebrating the water flowing through the former swamp and respecting its English Garden Landscape Style, inviting and inclusive facilities and unique ground-water fed water play nestle into the slopes between the lovely old cold climate plantings. ate

Blue Mountains City Council

Celebrating Blackheath Memorial Park’s history as a hanging swamp, Blue Mountains City Council and Architects of Arcadia have nestled an innovative playspace into the English Landscape Garden setting. The ever-present ground water is collected and channelled through a meandering rill, which incorporates old cut stone in a nod to romantic landscape features. This rill provides inclusive sensory play for all ages and can be accessed from multiple points in diverse ways.

City of Canada Bay Council

The $8.7 million McIlwaine Park River Activation and Foreshore Upgrade project, funded by the NSW Government and City of Canada Bay, has accessible pathways and picnic facilities with the standout feature an inviting dry beach on the river edge, featuring large, stepped sandstone access points to the water, and inter-tidal discovery rockpools. Along with connecting to nature, the foreshore improvements create an idyllic space to sit, be still and enjoy the vista of the Parramatta River, and escape the contrasting busy neighbourhood only a few hundred meters away

CO.OP Studio

The ‘Sky Park’ Centre of Excellence for Sydney Football Club unites all its members under one roof for first time in the Club’s history, bringing together fans, staff, professional players, and the academy’s rising stars. The restrained rigor of the building’s design reflects the ethos of its home neighbourhood; combining an aspirational vision for Australian football with a robust community foundation. The simple & elegant interiors provide a high-quality space for the Club, balancing the needs for a modern commercial workplace with the facilities required for a cutting-edge training centre.

Collective Leisure Pty Ltd

The Liverpool Seniors Well-being and Social Group is delivered by Collective Leisure on behalf of Liverpool City Council in partnership with SWSLHD and Healthstin, providing free thrice weekly physical activity and well-being sessions to over 65s to reduce social isolation and improve well-being.

Golf Australia

Swing City revolutionizes golf, creating an inclusive space with cutting-edge ball tracking technology in the fully enclosed driving range. This caters to all skill levels, promoting inclusivity and fun. The family-friendly mini-golf course, vibrant games room, and outdoor park games enhance appeal, fostering a sense of belonging. With contemporary food and beverage offerings, Swing City becomes a comprehensive entertainment hub, contributing to community engagement, social cohesion, and a diverse range of activities for families, friends, schools, and corporate groups.

City of Canada Bay Council

The Concord Oval Community and Sports Precinct, a remarkable once-in-a-generation project. This transformative world class facility, funded by the NSW Government, the City of Canada Bay, and other partners, now stands as a vibrant recreational hub for the community. With an indoor recreation centre, open green spaces, community rooms, and upgraded sporting facilities, it exemplifies Council’s commitment to quality community infrastructure, offering mixed recreational opportunities for everyone.

Blacktown City Council

Architectus

The Blacktown Exercise Sports and Technology Hub is an innovative project with the aim of redeveloping an Olympic legacy site and enhancing access to the community to access health care and opportunities for be physically active.

NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Industry

The NSW Government's Parks for People Program allocates $50 million to develop high-quality public parks across Greater Sydney. In partnership with local councils, it delivers eight diverse parks through rigorous community consultation, ensuring they meet local needs. Emphasizing sustainability, the program incorporates eco-friendly design practices. Overall, Parks for People aims to enrich communities socially, economically, and environmentally, aligning with various planning objectives.

NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure

Beaumont Hills is an innovative park located in a high growth area that demonstrates local, regional, and state alignment through its careful integration with strategic planning frameworks and has been delivered under the NSW Government’s Parks for People program.