PLA National Awards Finalists 2025

National Ageing Research Institute

Boroondara City Council

Knox City Council

The installation of Seniors Exercise Parks and the implementation of supportive programs across six upgraded parks have significantly increased park visitation and physical activity among older people. By transforming public spaces into age-friendly, active environments, the project has created vibrant community hubs in six Victorian municipalities, where older adults can gather, exercise, and socialise—promoting health, well-being, and stronger, more connected communities.

City of Swan

Advanteering Civil Engineers

Weitj Park is a $7.07M intergenerational playspace in Ballajura, supported by a $2M Lotterywest grant. Designed as an inclusive play space, it features sensory play elements, exercise stations, and culturally significant public art. The site, a former stormwater catchment, required an innovative drainage system for sustainability. Extensive community engagement ensured accessibility and cultural relevance. Delivered on time and within budget, Weitj Park exemplifies excellence in public infrastructure, fostering social connections and environmental stewardship.

City of Canada Bay

The Walk the Wangal Nature Trail is a transformative project enhancing biodiversity, climate resilience, and community engagement. Delivered by the City of Canada Bay, it restored a neglected biodiversity corridor, planting 60+ native species to support wildlife and urban cooling. It integrates Woody Meadows research, Indigenous knowledge, and community-led conservation. Supporting the Council NSW ‘Biodiversity in Place’ framework, it balances urban growth with green space, fostering sustainability, education, and long-term stewardship, setting a model for urban greening initiatives.

City of Whittleseea

McGregor Coxall

Convic

Led by a forward- thinking master plan, Whittlesea Public Gardens has transformed from its aspirations as a traditional botanic garden into a vibrant regional park that blends structured and unstructured recreation with nature. The redesign introduces urban playrooms linked by a central spine, creating a multifunctional space to serve a diverse community while strengthening connections to the broader open space network. This redevelopment meets the evolving needs of a growing population, fostering inclusivity, community wellbeing, and environmental resilience for a lasting impact.

SA Water

The Accessible Outdoors Program provides activities that promote and enable a deeper connection to nature for people with disability in our national parks, reservoir reserves, and forest reserves.

Blacktown City Council

Currently, Australian local councils do not plant large shade trees on streets with speeds above 50km/hr. This is because current guidelines state large shade trees present a safety risk to errant vehicles. However, the guidelines only consider one risk – the risk to the errant vehicle. It also does not consider the risks of planting versus not planting trees along our streets. This multi-year, data-driven project changed that and improved the risk-based approach to how and where we plant trees along our streets to keep all road users safe from all risks.

Blacktown City Council

Blacktown City Council partnered with Transport for NSW for the Safer Cities: Her Way Program, which aimed to make public spaces, including streets and transport hub precincts, feel safer for everyone, especially women, girls, and gender-diverse people. Council delivered a Her Way project, implementing of a range of pilot public space improvements and events guided by community input. Our pilot public space improvements were influenced by our engagement with over 160 women, girls, and gender diverse people about their experiences of using public spaces around Blacktown station.

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action

Overseen by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), the Victorian Government’s ‘More Trees for a Cooler, Greener West’ program seeks to plant 500,000 trees in Melbourne’s west, creating cooler spaces for communities to enjoy for generations. This $11.95 million initiative provides shade, green spaces, and reduces pollution, urban heat, and improves air quality. The program contributes to Victoria’s world-leading emissions reduction targets, supporting the goal of net zero emissions by 2045.

City Parklands

The Enchanted Garden is Brisbane’s premier immersive lighting experience, held annually at Roma Street Parkland and produced by City Parklands during the festive season. In 2024, the event showcased the park’s natural beauty, illuminated by stunning lights, while a one-of-a-kind soundscape filled the air, creating a magical atmosphere. Attendees were captivated by the new storyline of fairies Willow and Marigold, as they danced through each event zone guiding attendees with a touch of Christmas magic enhancing the night’s wonder and excitement.

City of Armadale

Piara Waters Library is a $9.3 million state of the art facility, in the Western Australian suburb of Piara Waters. Piara Waters Library was funded with $8.3 million from the City of Armadale (City) and $1 million from the WA Government, through the Department of Local Government, Sports and Cultural Industries (DLGSC)Piara Waters Library is located at 352 Wright Road, Piara Waters, and will be open seven days a week. The library will serve a population of 35,000 people and nine schools in the suburbs of Piara Waters and Harrisdale.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Cessnock City Council

Carmichael Park has been elevated to a regionally significant facility with multiple infrastructure upgrades including lighting upgrades, a multipurpose court, hit up wall, cricket nets, and a new BMX pump track, the first of its kind in the LGA. Through these upgrades, Council has reaffirmed its commitment to providing quality co-located recreational facilities, which contribute to substantial positive social, health, environmental and economic outcomes for the community.

Penrith City Council

Penrith City Council transformed its disused waste facility site at Gipps Street into an exciting recreation precinct. The site presented a unique opportunity to address Penrith’s need for more sport and recreation facilities to support the growing population. It’s a dynamic facility that responds to community requests for a variety of recreation opportunities with sports fields, playspaces, youth zone, dog park, and more. The precinct welcomes thousands of visitors weekly, supports an active and vibrant city, and enhances Penrith’s reputation as the most liveable place in Western Sydney.

Nature Based Play

The Princess May Park Nature Playground is a dynamic fusion of history, culture, and play. Initiated by Clancy’s Fish Pub and brought to life by Nature Based Play in collaboration with the City of Fremantle, this vibrant space reimagines a public park into an inclusive adventure. Opened in November 2023, it weaves First Nations and colonial heritage into nature-inspired design. With hidden stories, a historic limestone wall, natural play elements, and accessible pathways, it’s a place for discovery, connection, and community, enriching Fremantle’s heart.

City of Perth

The Thomas Street Biodiversity Corridor project transformed a degraded road median into a thriving ecological corridor, enhancing urban cooling, biodiversity, and community connection. Spanning 3.32 km, it introduced over 28,000 native plants, guided by Indigenous knowledge and incorporating culturally significant bush tucker species. Developed with Kings Park specialists, it follows best-practice sustainability principles. Strong community involvement shaped the design, fostering stewardship and inspiring native landscaping in urban spaces.

Otium Planning Group

Tamworth Regional Council

The Tamworth Regional Aquatic Centre, incorporating the Northern Inland Centre of Sport and Health, will provide a regionally significant destination for sports, recreation, health, and leisure. This development aims to generate substantial health, social, wellbeing, and economic benefits for both the Tamworth community and the broader region. Through effective strategic planning, continuous stakeholder engagement, innovation, leveraging co-location opportunities, and comprehensive business case development, the project has successfully secured funding from all three levels of government.

Hornsby Shire Council

Fiona Robbé Landscape Architects

The Fagan Park Children’s Forest connects children with nature through play and environmental education. Transforming an underutilised area, it features over fifty new trees and interactive educational pods. Children engage in discovery-based learning, exploring sustainability, biodiversity, and the importance of trees. Aligned with Hornsby’s Urban Forest Strategy and Play Plan, the space fosters physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development while promoting eco-consciousness in future generations.

Wollondilly Shire Council

Council worked with Civille and G3 Architecture to develop the designs for the conversion of the locally heritage listed Old Menangle School into a new community hub and park and for the restoration of the former school building. The project involved Sue Rosen Associates to ensure the design conserved the heritage significance of the site. The project was constructed by Growth Civil Landscapes.

Yarra Ranges Shire Council

The Belgrave South Recreation Reserve project enhances safety, accessibility, and inclusivity, with a focus on women, girls, youth, families, and individuals with disabilities. Using local student engagement and crime data, the design prioritizes safety through providing a recreation space for all. Gender and inclusivity consultations, including a Gender Equity Walk and Youth involvement, ensured the space caters to diverse needs. Accessible paths and Indigenous artwork complete the welcoming, multi-use space for all community members.

Campbelltown City Council

Playford Road Reserve in Newton provides a wide range of play-based opportunities for individuals of all ages and abilities. In 2024 the site was transformed from being a site with six unused tennis courts and a vacant clubroom building, to becoming an activated park with a large playground, tennis court, multi-sport court, grass kick-about area, picnic and BBQ facilities and accessible toilet and pathways, ensuring it is welcoming to everybody and serves the recreational, physical activity and social needs of the local community while promoting sustainable, inclusive design.

Campbelltown City Council

Playford Road Reserve in Newton provides a wide range of recreational opportunities for individuals of all ages and abilities. In 2024 the site was redeveloped from being a site with six unused tennis courts to become a park with a large playground, one tennis court, one multi-sport court, a grass kick-about area, picnic and BBQ facilities and accessible toilet and pathways, ensuring it is welcoming to everybody and serves the physical activity, recreation and social needs of the local community while promoting sustainable, inclusive design.

Darebin City Council

Clublinks Management Pty Ltd

The Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre, which reopened in November 2023, offers state-of-the-art aquatic facilities, including a 50-metrer pool, leisure and therapy pools, plus a fully equipped gym and group fitness spaces. Designed with sustainability and accessibility in mind, the centre also provides programs for all ages and abilities, making it a vibrant community hub. Over time, the project will enhance local health, fitness, and social connection, contributing to Darebin’s long-term wellbeing and development.

KINGSTON CITY COUNCIL

The Mordi Aquatic Centre is Kingston City Council’s largest community infrastructure project, delivering a $80 million state-of-the-art aquatic and fitness facility designed for all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.The integrative space is environmentally sustainable, supports health, wellbeing, and social inclusion while aligning with national, state, and local priorities. Shaped by extensive community consultation, the project received overwhelming public support, ensuring it meets the diverse needs of Kingston’s residents for generations to come.

Brisbane Sustainability Agency

An initiative of Brisbane Sustainability Agency’s Oxley Creek Transformation project, the four-hectare Archerfield Wetlands District Park sets a benchmark for transforming a former industrial site into a vibrant, multi-functional greenspace. Offering a diverse range of facilities, including a large adventure play space, a youth hub area with basketball court, bush foods garden, event and activity lawn and a purpose-built community hub building, the District Park inspires people of all ages to connect with each other and nature, care for the environment and live a healthy, outdoor lifestyle.

Golf Australia

Rippit Golf reimagines golf for the modern era, transforming small urban spaces into technology-driven entertainment hubs. Located in Newcastle, NSW, Rippit combines short-flight driving ranges, golf simulators, and mini golf into a vibrant, accessible venue that attracts almost 50% female participation. Built on repurposed tennis courts, it demonstrates land-efficient, socially inclusive, and economically sustainable innovation, setting a new standard for golf in the parks and leisure industry.

Lake Macquarie City Council

Convic

The Rathmines Park Youth Hub is a destination recreation space incorporating a 1000sqm skate park, pump track, basketball court, bouldering wall, car park, public amenities, passive recreation areas integrated within the broader regional park. The youth hub encourages active lifestyles and provides a dedicated and engaging environment for social interactions. It plays a crucial role in promoting well-being, social cohesion, outdoor recreation and exemplifies collaboration between local and state authorities to create a recreational space that benefits youth and the wider community.