Draft Places to Play Plan

With more than 380 hectares of public open spaces, including parks, reserves, beaches and sport facilities, it's essential to have a plan to guide their development, implementation and sustainable management.

Given our vision is to be the most liveable, sustainable and innovative place in Australia, this plan is designed to ensure a variety of opportunities for diverse experiences as well as equitable distribution of places to play across the Local Government Area (LGA).

The Places to Play Plan aims to provide our community with high quality inclusive places to play that are diverse, accessible and engaging and contribute to a healthy and active lifestyle. It's all about protecting, enhancing and maximising the use of existing public open spaces and expanding in line with the community's needs.

We invite feedback on the whole plan or the six specific categories, which include:

1. Skate spaces
2. Outdoor fitness equipment
3. Outdoor courts
4. Off leash areas and designated dog parks
5. Watercraft access and fishing areas
6. Community gardens

What is a place to play?

A designated area that facilitates different forms of play, both structured and unstructured. It encompasses the entirety of the environment, including natural elements, built infrastructure and supporting facilities. By providing this space, people of all ages and abilities are able to engage in safe, playful activities and enjoy a range of recreational opportunities.

Background

In 2019, the NSW Department of Planning and Environment introduced the Everyone Can Play Guidelines, which is a set of best practice recommendations to create more inclusive play spaces. At the heart of Everyone Can Play is a declaration that play is for everyone, regardless of age, ability or cultural background, and Council has adapted these guidelines for all categories in this Places to Play Plan.

The Everyone Can Play guidelines is used by Council to:

• Inform design briefs
• Address existing Places to Play
• Determine what improvements can be made to increase inclusivity
• Influence budget setting for Places to Play
• Educate staff on the importance of inclusion in our open spaces
• Form part of Council's Play Delivery Program

The Places to Play Plan is a comprehensive strategy composed of various smaller plans and reviews combined (as demonstrated below), forming a uniformed, all-encompassing approach. Given changes in legislation, evolving community needs and expectations and the ongoing urbanisation of our LGA, it is imperative to plan for future needs. Regular reviews of the plan will be necessary to adapt and accommodate changes effectively.

Have Your Say

Council welcomes your questions and feedback. We'd also love to see you at one of the upcoming pop-up sessions:

• 12 April at Port Macquarie Youth Skate Workshop from 11am - 1pm
• 13 April at Lake Cathie Youth Skate Workshop from 11am - 1pm
• 16 April Bain Park, Wauchope from 9am - 11am
• 16 April at Town Beach Play Space, Port Macquarie from 3pm - 5pm
• 22 April at Kendall Recreation Reserve from 11am - 1pm
• 3 May at Lake Cathie Autumn Fair, at Lake Cathie Community Hall and Reserve from 10am - 2pm

You can provide feedback on the Place to Play Plan or specific categories by:

• Completing the online survey
• Emailing your feedback to: council@pmhc.nsw.gov.au
• Posting to:
  Chief Executive Officer
  Port Macquarie-Hastings Council
  PO Box 84
  Port Macquarie NSW 2444

The survey closes at 5pm Monday 12 May 2025.