Date: 13 February 2013
Major Community Issues discussed
1. 125th Anniversary - Report on the Light Garden
The Trust presented a report on the recent The Light Garden event that celebrated Centennial Park's 125th Anniversary.
This was a definite good news story, with the event well attended and overwhelmingly positive feedback from visitors.
Key measurements targeted were:
- to generate awareness;
- to achieve 10,000 visitations; and
- to grow the visitor base.
It is estimated that at least 29,000 visitors attended the 10 day event (estimates based on the park being 'parked out' at capacity every event night). Centennial Parklands website achieved its highest ever monthly visitation at 77,000 hits.
At least one million social media references were achieved through a wide variety of social mediums (Facebook, Twitter, blogs, unpaid feature coverage on third party websites) - at no cost to the Parklands, and this only counts those references that were directly measureable to social media strategies implemented by CP.
The 'Wish Tree' - a tree where visitors wrote 'wishes' on hanging tags then tied them to a designated tree - had approximately 7,900 'wishes' which volunteers will now catalogue and archive. Those 'wishes' suggesting improvements to the Parklands will be captured for inclusion in the upcoming CP Master Plan consultation.
CCC members confirmed their attendance at the event (some more than once), and it was noted that patronage at the event was diverse, consisting of the young, the old, and everyone in between.
CCC Comment/feedback
The CCC congratulated the Trust on the event and a great start to the 125th Anniversary program.
>> Have your say: email the CCC with your comments on this issue to ccc@cp.nsw.gov.au
2. Centennial Parklands Volunteer Program
Peter Hadfield, Centennial Parklands Foundation Executive Officer, presented on recent volunteers activities in the Parklands and their estimated value to the ongoing running of the Parklands.
In the last six months, CP has held an event recognising the contributions of volunteers to the Parklands. While there are benefits for the volunteers - being involved, making a difference, the social interaction gained from being a volunteer - there are also direct cost savings to the Parklands too.
Direct cost savings for six months to December 2012 are estimated at $100k. The Corporate Volunteer program alone generated $14.5k; it was noted that 38 corporates have participated in the corporate volunteer program at the Parklands, which involves paying for their staff to participate as volunteers at the Parklands.
At the conclusion of the presentation, Peter Hadfield announced that he was resigning from the Foundation to take up a leadership position with another charity.
CCC Comment/feedback
The CCC supports the work of the Volunteers and sees it being an integral part of CP. The CCC thanked Peter Hadfield for his time with the Foundation and wished him well in his new role.
>> Have your say: email the CCC with your comments on this issue to ccc@cp.nsw.gov.au
3. Queens Park Pavilion refurbishment & Cafe
The Trust provided an update on the Queens Park Pavilion refurbishment.
Key points included:
- The Trust has agreed on a licensee; this has not yet been announced.
- Regarding the stage of project: there is ongoing correspondence with the Office of Liquor, Gaming & Racing (OLGR) regarding licencing; the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) is still being finalised and reviewed; liaising with Police local area command.
- Once the REF is complete and OLGR has signed off, the updated information will be put back online for two weeks to comment.
CCC Comment/feedback
CCC members suggested that:
- It was important that all local residents are made aware of the 2 week public exhibition process when the timing is finalised, and that this communication needs to be via multiple channels to maximise its effectiveness
- Other means be offered to capture comments, in addition to online, as some people do not have access to the internet. Alternatives methods are to be considered by CP. However as a matter for the record, CCC members were advised that all NSW Government agencies have been instructed to do all consultation processes online.
>> Have your say: email the CCC with your comments on this issue to ccc@cp.nsw.gov.au
4. Light Rail Update
The CEO provided a background of the Trust's involvement in the Light Rail project:
- The Trust was one of the participants in the Round Table discussions on the overall route options during 2012 and kept the Trust and CCC updated during that period
- The preferred route was announced in December 2012, although no specific details were provided
- Yesterday, 11 February 2013, Transport NSW held a briefing session with the Round Table participants, including the CEO, where it was confirmed that while the route has been approved, none of the detailed engineering work has been done.
CCC members asked for specific clarification on route over South Dowling through Moore Park West. The CEO noted various options that are under discussion, none of which have had any detailed work done.
CCC Comment/feedback
The CCC agreed to maintain a watching brief on this and receive regular updates at future CCC meetings. The CCC’s position has not changed since last year, that the CCC supports Light Rail and an underground section under Moore Park is the preferred solution and that additional alienation of park land must be minimised.
>> Have your say: email the CCC with your comments on this issue to ccc@cp.nsw.gov.au
Other Issues considered
Matters also discussed by the CCC included:
- Appointment of a new Chair, Tony Ryan, and new Trustees , Adam Boyton and Shayne Mallard
- Centennial Parkland Land Use Plan Update
- Capital works project updates, including status of ES Marks track replacement and replacement of the Equestrian Centre roof
- Community meetings attended by the CCC, including the Centennial Park Residents Association and the PUSH (People Unite for Surry Hills) meeting regarding the Light Rail
- Ongoing actions to increase engagement with local resident groups
- CCC members to participate in the CP Clean Up Australia Day event , 9-11.00am March 3, meeting at the Visitor Centre, and to encourage others to participate
- Correspondence to the CCC
Next meeting Tuesday 9 April 2013, 5.30pm at the Parklands Office.