Sydney Olympic Park Authority
Department of Planning Housing and Infrastructure
Surrounded by the natural environment, Haslams Pump Track offers a free to ride, inclusive, all-ages, all-wheels recreational space to Sydney Olympic Park’s evolving action-adventure precinct. Haslams Pump Track is the ultimate destination for thrill-seekers and families alike, creating a greater connection to the land and Country. Designed by landscape architects and bike enthusiasts at Common Ground, with community input throughout the process, Haslams Pump Track features three separate circuits tailored for beginner, intermediate and advanced riders.
Collaboratively Preventing Drowning with the Mornington Peninsula Aquatic and Recreation Venues
Community Based Initiative of the Year Award
VIC/TAS
Mornington Peninsula Aquatic and Recreation Venues and Belgravia Leisure
Taking a revolutionary, collaborative approach to beach safety the Mornington Peninsula Aquatic and Recreation Venues are delivering the ultimate community benefit - an approach that seeks to drive open-water safety long before a foot touches the sand.
Belgravia Leisure & Town of East Fremantle
Town of East Fremantle
Opened in April 2024, East Fremantle Community Park is an inclusive hub offering sport, recreation, dining, and health programs. Featuring Carnaby's Café, B Active Health Club, playgrounds, skate park, and event spaces, it enhances community engagement, accessibility, and sustainability, setting a new benchmark for community facilities in WA.
Kayla McNicol has successfully delivered multi-million-dollar capital works projects, including community hubs, parks, and recreational spaces. She integrates public art in playspaces, champions sustainable design, and fosters stakeholder engagement. A leader in strategic project management, Kayla ensures innovative, high-quality infrastructure that enhances community well-being and public spaces.
Arcadia
Barangaroo Station Park is a pivotal piece of landscape architecture that allows commuters and visitors to enjoy a biophilic moment in the urban environment of Barangaroo’s commercial and dining precinct. Designed so that visitors feel a living connection to Indigenous and colonial history, it has become a popular destination with its stunning backdrop of Sydney Harbour, open lawn and 50m feature seat. Made from precast white concrete seeded with oyster shells, the interpretive seat design celebrates the Nawi Cove’s traditional use by Gadigal peoples as a fishing ground.
Transitioning to Australian Local Government Areas That Create Co-benefits for Urban Nature and People.
Research Award
VIC/TAS
Tract Consultants
Parks and leisure activities are key to delivering a quality life in balance with nature, however cities that provide win-wins for people and nature remain underdeveloped. The research promotes innovation in biodiversity in place by articulating an evidence-based co-benefit philosophy supported by typologies, design strategies, a site analysis process, and system insights. Co-benefits are actions that deliver mutually positive outcomes for nature and humans. This sets a new standard for how parks and leisure activities can be designed to promote biodiversity while delivering human outcomes.
Ipswich City Council
The Willey Street BMX Clubhouse is a game-changing, $2.6M facility, developed by Ipswich City Council, the Queensland Government, and the West Moreton BMX Club. Designed for inclusivity, sustainability, and flood resilience, the clubhouse features DDA-compliant access, a canteen with finish-line views, and a community hub for over 600 regular attendees. Elevating Ipswich’s standing as a sporting destination, this facility fosters local talent, strengthens volunteer engagement, and positions the city for future BMX and Olympic-level events.
Ipswich City Council
Cameron Park Playground Upgrade is a $2.5M transformation delivering a high-quality, inclusive, and heritage-inspired playspace for the Ipswich community. Featuring the Booval House Queenslander-themed play structure, all-abilities equipment, and engaging sensory play, the park fosters intergenerational connection and active recreation. The project prioritised safety, accessibility, and sustainability, incorporating DDA-compliant pathways, seating, and durable materials. Community-driven design and innovative problem-solving ensure long-term resilience and play value for future generations.
Northern Beaches Council
Trafalgar Park Playground sits within open parklands and surrounded by mature trees. It is an important neighbourhood playground situated adjacent to Newport Public School. The playground has been recently upgraded by inhouse staff to become a larger, more accessible and better integrated into its surrounding environment.
Campbelltown City Council
PLAYCE
BEASTMAN
The Seddon Park Youth Playspace delivers a high-quality, inclusive environment for all ages, genders, cultures and abilities. Fostering social interaction, the space provides diverse physical experiences encouraging active play and exploration, including elements of Basketball and ball sports, skate park plaza, parkour, outdoor fitness equipment, passive recreation and a shaded children’s playground, The project’s success lies in its ability to seamlessly blend diverse recreational opportunities into a cohesive and welcoming space, fostering a sense of community and promoting active lifestyles
City of Port Phillip
The City of Port Phillip has developed Dog Off-Leash Guidelines to create a framework for planning for dog off-leash areas. The delivery of the Dog Off-Leash Guidelines demonstrates a significant change and improvement in Council's strategic planning and delivery of dog off-leash areas. It is a key initiative towards delivering Council's strategic objective to provide a City that is a great place to live, where our community has access to high quality public spaces, development and growth are well managed, and it is safer and easy to connect and travel within.
New Lara Multisport Pavilion & Reserve Upgrades - Female Friendly Facilities
Community Facility of the Year Award
VIC/TAS
City of Greater Geelong
The Lara Multi-Sport Facility enhances local sports infrastructure, providing modern and complaint facilities for AFL, baseball, and cricket, with a focus on women’s sport and accessibility. Designed with sustainability in mind, it features energy-efficient systems and inclusive design principles. Managed by the City of Greater Geelong, the project involved extensive community consultation and implementation of the Lara Recreation Reserve Master Plan (2019). It strengthens Lara’s community identity and offers a long-term asset for local growth and active participation. Live Lara, Play Lara.
Jacinta is a dedicated and multi-skilled leader at the City of Whittlesea with a passion for the role sport can play in people's physical and mental wellbeing and in developing an inclusive society. Jacinta has excellent relationship skills with both internal and external partners. Jacinta has seamlessly switched from operational roles to strategic roles and is continuously looking to develop her professional skills. Jacinta's leadership skills and passion have also been on display as a Facilitator at SALT (Sport and Life Training) and in the Change our Game Program for Next Generation Leaders
Manningham Council
In 3 years Council has made significant progress in realising the goals and objectives of the Ruffey Lake Park Masterplan. Enhancements to the infrastructure, recreation opportunities and environment ensures it remains Manningham’s premier park. This is a 10-15 year plan to improve the facilities and environment for the many visitors.
Port Macquarie Hastings Council
Kendall Recreation Reserve has been transformed into a vibrant community hub, delivering one of the region’s largest skate parks, an inclusive play space, and inviting green areas. Designed with sustainability and accessibility in mind, the park promotes active lifestyles, social connection, and environmental resilience. Extensive community consultation shaped its development, ensuring it meets local needs while fostering pride and engagement. This project sets a benchmark for inclusive, safe, and multi-functional public spaces, enhancing liveability for Kendall and the wider region.
City of Launceston (Council)
Launceston's Road Safety Centre. Bringing an icon back to life.
Queensland Department of Sport, Racing and Olympic and Paralympic Games
Active Queenslanders Industry Alliance
The 2024-2034 Active Industry Workforce Plan provides an outstanding example of the fitness, sport and recreation industry in Queensland investing in workforce planning as a strategic priority. The development of the Plan was funded under the Queensland Government’s ‘Active Industry Project Fund’ which aimed to encourage collaboration across the active industry to support operational efficiency and upskilling of the workforce including volunteers to improve the capability and capacity of industry organisations. The Plan aims to ensure that the right people are in the right roles at the right t
South Australian Cricket Association
The SACA Places to Play funding program identifies school and council ovals on which cricket is not currently being played, then fully funds the installation of a cricket pitch on the proviso that a local community cricket club can play junior cricket on the pitch during the evening or on a weekend. This then offers the local community and school students access to a hard wicket. We have spent $1.4 million on the program to date and have developed countless positive relationships between schools, councils and local community cricket clubs.
City of Busselton
The Busselton War Memorial project was a collaborative initiative between the City of Busselton and the Busselton Returned Services League (RSL) to create a new war memorial at Rotary Park of Remembrance. The project aimed to provide a peaceful space for remembering fallen service men and women, with adequate accessibility, parking, and space for memorial services. The project cost $635,000 and was aligned with the City of Busselton Strategic Community Plan 2021 – 2031. The project was delivered on time and officially opened to the public on the 21st of April 2024 in time for ANZAC day.
City of Charles Sturt
Spad Street Reserve, Albert Park integrates inclusive play, nature-based recreation, and sustainability, addressing a local shortage of accessible open space. The play space features wheelchair-friendly equipment, sensory play, communication boards, and a custom sculptural play piece. A nature trail and climate-resilient landscaping enhance biodiversity. Extensive community consultation shaped the reserve, fostering ownership and social connection. Spad Street Reserve sets a benchmark for future public open space developments through strategic planning, innovative design and sustainability.
City of Stonnington
The Stonnington Sports Centre is a state-of-the-art, community-driven facility designed to promote inclusivity, sustainability, and active living. With multi-sport indoor courts, upgraded outdoor fields, and cutting-edge sustainability features—including solar power, water retention systems, and gas-free operations—it sets a new benchmark for sports infrastructure. Developed through extensive community consultation, the centre fosters social connection, increases female sports participation, and enhances local well-being, making it a vital asset for current and future generations.
Northern Beaches Council
The Northern Beaches Council has introduced a groundbreaking smart irrigation water control system, which optimises irrigation water usage in terms of both water quantity and water quality. This system efficiently manages multiple water sources, including rainwater, bore water, and potable water, to ensure that water is used where and when it is most needed. As a result, the system has significantly improved turf conditions and sportsground resilience, making it a sustainable solution for local sportsfields.
Ashley Dean is a transformational leader in the parks and leisure sector, driving strategic change, innovation, and inclusion. As an active member of Parks & Leisure Australia (PLA), he is shaping the future of sport and recreation through policy development, infrastructure planning, and digital transformation. A strong advocate for equity and diversity, Ashley has led major initiatives promoting fair access, community engagement, and industry collaboration. His expertise, leadership, and commitment to progress make him a driving force in the sector.
Colac Otway Shire
The redeveloped Memorial Square toilets, services Colac’s main shopping precinct, local bus and taxi interchange, local events held at Memorial Square, and the many tourists and tourist buses which drive through Colac to travel to the 12 Apostles and Great Ocean Road. The redeveloped toilet block provides a clean, safe and modern toilet facility for locals and visitors alike.
City of Canning
The Shelley Beach Park playground, located on the Canning River Foreshore, was designed by the City of Canning as its first district, multi-generational play space. Featuring three inclusive play zones, it promotes learning through play while catering to various age groups. An innovative, community-led engagement approach created a space that reflects local identity, encourages active play, and fosters connection for people of all ages and abilities.