6 November 2015

The provision of open space and recreation in both Waratah-Wynyard and Circular Head will be under the spotlight over the next six months.

Both Councils will be undertaking an Open Space, Sport and Recreation Plan for the next 10 years, which will include significant community engagement.

The replacement options for the now closed Circular Head War Memorial Swimming Pool will be a major priority in the consultation phase of the plan.

Circular Head Mayor Daryl Quilliam said experienced recreation, open space and planning consultants @leisure had been awarded the tender for the project.

“Both Councils are pleased to have engaged @leisure who have worked with the Cradle Coast Authority, Central Coast Council, Launceston City Council, Glenorchy City Council and a number of mainland Local Governments on similar plans,” Mayor Quilliam said.

“This plan will recognise the importance of providing sport, recreation and open space in our communities, which is vital to helping to encourage healthy lifestyles.

“The plan will provide an evidence-based long-term direction for the planning and management of the open space networks, including recreational and sporting grounds, and associated community facilities in both the Waratah-Wynyard and Circular Head Municipal Areas for a ten year period from 2016 to 2026. “

The Plan will provide:

1. An open space, sport  and recreation classification hierarchy based on catchment and function;
2. Standards for supply of open space, sport and recreation grounds, facilities and asset;
3. An open space, sport and recreation supply and demand analysis;
4. Master planning for identified key open space, recreation facilities and/or sports grounds.  Specifically:
   1. Wynyard Recreation Precinct, including the Showgrounds;
   2. Frederick Street Reserve, including the BMX track;
   3. Smithton sports and recreation precinct
   4. Stanley showground
5. A comprehensive community engagement processes; and
6. A prioritised and costed set of actions to achieve overall open space, sport and recreation vision and goals.

Services and facilities to be examined under the plan include: recreation grounds and facilities, museums, public halls, public toilets, community centres, skate parks, the Circular Head War Memorial Swimming Pool, walking tracks, cemeteries, public gardens, nature strips, boat ramps and others.

Waratah-Wynyard Mayor Robby Walsh said both Councils were continuing to engage in an exciting range of open space sport and recreation projects, however, the delivery of these is being constrained by the lack of an overall strategic approach.

“This project seeks to provide a plan, which will align both Councils’ provision of open space, sport and recreation better with regional, State and Federal Government priorities,” Mayor Walsh said.

“This will also assist both Councils to seek external funding for proposed projects moving forward and will provide consistency for our staff, our sporting and recreational clubs and facility users. “