PLA Regional Awards Submissions 2025

Tweed Shire Council

The Jack Evans Boat Harbour Precinct in Tweed Heads is a vibrant 4.3-hectare space that blends recreation, tourism, culture, and nature. Serving as the gateway to Northern NSW, this popular destination offers locals and visitors a wide range of activities, including leisurely strolls, family gatherings, water recreation, community events, and cultural engagement. At the heart of the precinct lies the newly upgraded Central Swim Park, a dynamic community space set against the stunning backdrop of Tweed City Centre. Although occupying just a small corner of the 2.3 km sheltered shoreline, it has

Campbelltown City Council

City of Tea Tree Gully

The Reconciliation Walk is a unique reconciliation experience along the River Torrens / Karrawirra Parri, linking Kaurna Country with the Cities of Tea Tree Gully and Campbelltown. This 1.2km trail encourages the community and visitors to walk on Country while engaging with local Kaurna Elders via video, where cultural knowledge is shared. By blending storytelling with technology, the trail promotes cultural tourism and strengthens local connections to Aboriginal heritage. Co-designed with Kaurna Elders and developed by two Councils, it exemplifies authentic and respectful collaboration.

Sutherland Shire Council

The $6.2 million Engadine Active Sports Youth Precinct and All-Abilities Playground is a master-planned initiative designed to modernise and enhance recreational opportunities in the Sutherland Shire, providing inclusive recreation and play opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. It offers a state-of-the-art inclusive playspace with a grand bespoke accessible treetop walk; inclusive play equipment designed for sight-impaired or non-verbal play participants; accessible plaza-style skating area, pump track, parkour course, fitness course, bike repair station, set within a large gras

Moir Studio

Harold Gregson Reserve exemplifies exceptional public space development, transforming a complex site into a thriving community hub. Maitland City Council’s strategic vision and Moir Studio’s innovative design seamlessly integrated site remediation with ecological sustainability, creating a place that truly reflects local needs. The reserve offers diverse amenities for recreation and social connection. It is a space where memories are made and community bonds flourish.

Cumberland City Council

This Strategic Masterplan outlines the project vision, principles, and design strategies for the Prospect Pipeline Corridor, establishing a framework in which to enable Council to engage with the local community, key stakeholders, to inform detailed design and feasibility studies, and to support funding applications. The vision for the Corridor is to enhance the established corridor in the west, whilst extending connections in the east utilising a portion of the water pipeline corridor, to provide recreational linkages for pedestrians and cyclists to nearby parklands and town centres.

Orange City Council

A bespoke designed playground, reusing materials and structures of the original Orange Adventure Playground, exemplifies the Orange communities' vision for an accessible, unique, rewarding and safe play space that carries a story and continues a legacy

TERRAS LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS

The Newcastle South Skate Park and Foreshore Promenade are key components of the City of Newcastle’s ambitious fifteen-year initiative to create a continuous coastal pathway connecting the iconic beaches of Merewether, Dixon Park, Bar Beach, Newcastle, and Nobbys. As a flagship project of the Coastal Revitalisation program, this initiative enhances accessibility and connectivity, community facilities, active play and passive recreation while celebrating Newcastle’s stunning coastline.

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 Newcastle

The creation of the new inclusive playspace at Hamilton’s historic Gregson Park. The new playspace includes equipment for a range of ages and abilities. The playspace provides a combination of traditional and nature based play elements including traditional Indigenous elements including a yarning circle and a bush tucker garden. The playspace is complemented by an upgraded, accessible amenities building and new covered picnic and BBQ area.

Belgravia Leisure

The MOVE IT CANBERRA! campaign takes a comprehensive, 360° approach to achieving health and wellbeing outcomes, demonstrating how short-term events can create lasting impacts for everyone in the community.

Twin Fin Consulting

Data Consulting

Lake Macquarie City Council

Coastal Visitation Analytics – Enhancing Public Safety & Recreation Management Twin Fin Consulting is at the forefront of data-driven decision-making in coastal safety and recreational planning. Our groundbreaking Coastal Visitation Analytics Project, developed in collaboration with Data Consulting and Lake Macquarie City Council (LMCC), leverages People Movement Data (PMD) to provide unprecedented insights into beach visitation trends, safety risks, and resource management. Using anonymized GPS data from mobile devices, this innovative approach allows councils to accurately measure visitation

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.

City of Greater Dandenong - Festivals and Events

Keysborough's Big Picnic, a free community event delivered by Festivals and Events team at City of Greater Dandenong, leverage Frederick Wachter Reserves facilities by bringing together 7,500+ attendees, promoting liveability, celebrating diversity, inclusivity, and sustainability. It demonstrated outstanding outcomes in community engagement, access, and environmental sustainability, making it an exemplary model for community based initiative.

Cumberland City Council

Connecting Canal Road Park is a transformative project centered on connection—linking people, place, and culture. An upgraded playspace and new outdoor learning space connected by a new shared pathway provide enhance play, accessibility, recreation, and engagement with nature while embedding cultural storytelling.

Bass Coast Shire Council

Emerge Associates

Graydens Reserve Newhaven is the gateway to Phillip Island providing recreation opportunities to the 547 residents and visitors. The innovative master plan deals with regional level challenges and a hostile community, on a small budget. Creating an accessible, multi-use ball space, modern playspace and beginner level skate park for the whole community to enjoy. At the same time using creative solutions to minimising the potential loss of open green space from the proposed road re-alignment adjoining the Reserve.

Brisbane City Council

Bligh Tanner

Victoria Park is transforming into an iconic parkland with something for everyone. The Victoria Park / Barrambin Urban Pump Track is a community-driven haven for all ages. Its innovative design, inclusive features and sustainable materials create a vibrant hub for active lifestyles, boosting social connection and the local economy.

Ascot Vale Leisure Centre

Using a range of targeted programs Ascot Vale Leisure Centre has proved that you don't need a new facility to make a huge impact on your community, on your team and on the environment.

City of Parramatta

The Dixon Park Escarpment Lookout offers a transformative experience for visitors, providing an accessible and unique vantage point overlooking the Parramatta River, the vibrant Central Business District, the new Powerhouse Museum, Parramatta Quay, and the breathtaking sunset views. This project creates an invaluable connection between the community and the natural environment, allowing people to engage with the landscape in an innovative and meaningful way. The design team adopted a “light touch” approach, carefully considering the site’s challenges and environmental values. This thoughtful

Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure

Arcadia Landscape Architecture

Nandi Reserve, a 12.24-hectare bushland site off Wakehurst Parkway, Frenchs Forest, has been revitalised under the NSW Government’s Parks for People Program. Shaped by community feedback, the upgrades created new pathways and opportunities to improve connection through nature. These include new walking trails, creek crossings and new nature play spaces, as well as areas to sit and rest, all while having minimal impact to the ecology of the natural environment.

Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure

The Adventurous Spaces Guideline champions inclusive, engaging spaces. It navigates cost, land use, and community attitudes, offering invaluable research, inspiring case studies, and practical advice for creating skateparks, pump tracks, mountain bike trails, and dynamic skills parks. It embraces a ‘people, place, purpose’ approach to transforming overlooked, undervalued public spaces.

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.

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.

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