2014

Date: 1 April 2014

Major Community Issues discussed

1) Amalgamation update

Kim Ellis, Executive Director, has now been formally appointed as Executive Director, Sydney’s Parklands & Botanical Gardens. The two trusts comprise Centennial Park, Queens Park, Moore Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens, the Domain, Mount Tomah and Mount Annan.

The roles created in the new organisation will be responsible for activities across all geographic areas. The next step is to determine a new organisation structure and advertise for Kim’s direct reports where necessary.

>>Have your say: email the CCC with your comments on this issue toccc@cp.nsw.gov.au

Sustainable Parklands Projects

1) Moore Park Master Plan

• Kim Ellis, Executive Director, introduced Elton Consulting who have been appointed to plan the community engagement component of the master plan for Moore Park. Brendan Blakeley from Elton Consulting gave an update on the plans for community engagement and the CCC provided feedback on how to reach out to a large number of individuals, community groups, councils and other stakeholders in order to maximise input into the master plan.

2) Cottage accommodation project

• Robert Hermann, Acting Manager Commercial Services and James Reuben, Licensee, from the Hughenden Hotel in Woollahra, gave a presentation on the proposed refurbishment of the Superintendent’s Residence and Ranger’s Cottage in Centennial Park. The aim is to restore these residences to high end, self catering, five star accommodation and provide Sydney residents and tourists an unique opportunity to stay in Centennial Park.
• Bookings will commence from July 2014.

3) Light rail update

• The light rail project is still progressing through the documentation stage. The development agreement between the Parklands with Transport for NSW will be finished in the next month. Some parts of the Parklands will be affected during construction however this will be cost neutral through compensation from the NSW Government. Kim Ellis, Executive Director commented that everything is being done to minimise damage and impact on the Parklands over the four year construction period and beyond.
• The CCC noted that there will be a pedestrian bridge at the Moore Park station near Cleveland Street, opposite the two high schools.

4) Food services

• Kim Ellis advised that a tender process for the provision of food services (apart from Centennial Parklands Dining and the Queens Park Shed) is currently active. This is in response to general and more specific feedback in the Centennial Park Master Plan that visitors to the Parklands would like more food/coffee options. In particular, visitors would like to see a food/café service in the learners cycleway area.

>>Have your say: email the CCC with your comments on this issue toccc@cp.nsw.gov.au

Anzac Parade shared bridge

• The CCC determined to make a submission under the Review of Environment Factors on the RMS cycle/pedestrian bridge, following the CCC’s previous submission to the Heritage Council (see under Administration below).

>>Have your say: email the CCC with your comments on this issue toccc@cp.nsw.gov.au

Events in the Parklands

1) Completed events include:

• Moonlight Cinema – a good season and the refurbished Belvedere Amphitheatre worked very well
• Sydney Trapeze School – the new venue worked well
• Taste of Sydney – a very well attended event despite rain on the two most popular sessions
• Lost picnic music performance
• Sydney Golf Expo – good patronage and high levels of interest in the golf course

2) Upcoming events include:

• Nike She runs the night 3 May
• Relay for life 17-18 May
• East Side Ride 25 May.

>>Have your say: email the CCC with your comments on this issue toccc@cp.nsw.gov.au

Administration

• The CCC made a submission to the Heritage Council of NSW on the Section 60 application for the RMS cycle/pedestrian bridge. In addition, the CCC has had correspondence with various local residents and residents’ associations on this matter.

Next meeting: Tuesday 17 June 2014.

Date: 17 June 2014

Major Community Issues discussed

1) Amalgamation update

The merger of the Royal Botanical Gardens Trust and Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust is continuing. The budget and reporting processes are now aligned and a new Strategy for the merged entity is being drafted.

A new Executive team structure (8 roles) is being developed with a view to these roles being finalised and filled within the coming months. A change management office has also been established to oversee integration activities.

2) Moore Park

Kim Ellis (CEO) gave an update on two issues relating to Moore Park:

a) Moore Park Master Plan 2030: introduction and planning

Work on the Master Plan will continue throughout 2014 with a view to finalising it in 2015. There will be a community and public consultation process before the Plan is finalised.

b) Proposed sale of the Entertainment Quarter lease

The 36 year lease at the Entertainment Quarter is in the process of being sold and a formal proposal has been received and is under review. The review of formal proposal will take approximately three months to finalise and be subject to specific assessment criteria.

Have your say: email the CCC with your comments on this issue to ccc@cp.nsw.gov.au

3) Sustainable Parklands Projects

Craig Easdown, Manager Marketing and Communications gave updates on various projects:

• Cycleway along Oxford Street now in progress
• Woollahra Gates renovation to be completed by mid July 2014
• Carrington Drive resurfacing has now been completed
• The new labyrinth is due for completion late August with official opening in September 2014
• An online booking service will be available from late 2014. This will enable park users to book picnic sites, sports fields and other activities directly via the website
• Share the Park Campaign has now ended and was very successful with positive feedback and greater awareness this year from a variety of community user groups. The campaign was picked up by local and national print and radio media

Anthony Dunsford, Director Visitor Experience presented and update on the South West Hub project. The South West Hub, located near the learners’ cycleway has been identified (via public feedback on the master plan and other feedback) as a suitable area for additional eating facilities. Anthony presented footprint (not design) concepts for feedback to the CCC. The CCC provided feedback on various usability aspects of the entry/exit driveway and facilities generally. These were taken on board and will be included in the first draft of designs due in July 2014.

The detailed designs will go through a thorough public and community consultation process in due course before being finalised.

>>Have your say: email the CCC with your comments on this issue toccc@cp.nsw.gov.au

4) Events in the Parklands

1) Completed events include:

• Gods of Egypt film – Several CCC members completed a tour of the set. They were impressed by the professional manner in which the set was conducted and the sophistication of the processes involved in the set design. Anthony Dunsford, Director Visitor Experience noted that the rectification of the site area would now commence.
• Nike she runs the night
• Relay for life
• East side ride

2) Upcoming events include:

• Science in the Swamp 16 August
• The Colour Run 24 August
• Australian Garden Show Sydney 4-7 September
• Sydney Running Festival 21 September
• Listen Out 27 September
• Tropfest 7 December

>>Have your say: email the CCC with your comments on this issue toccc@cp.nsw.gov.au

5) Administration

a) Correspondence was received by the Chair of the Centennial Parklands Foundation to the Chair of the CCC announcing the new Foundation Governors appointed following the expiration of terms of the previous Governors. The CCC will invite the new Foundation Chair to visit the CCC and provide an update on key activities at the next meeting.

b) The CCC noted that it had been advised that the Light Rail project had now commenced.

c) The CCC noted that it had been advised that the Moore Park pedestrian/cycle bridge had been approved and work had commenced to set up the works zone in both Moore Park east and west.

Next meeting: Tuesday 12 August 2014

Date: 12 August 2014

Major Community Issues discussed

1) South West Hub

South West Hub - a project under the Centennial Park Master Plan 2040 - was discussed at the last CCC Meeting, with an update provided at this meeting. Amendments have been made to plans based on feedback from the CCC and Trustees of Centennial Parklands. Once the detailed project scope is completed, the concept plans will go on public display for comment and submitted to to the Heritage Council for approval.

2) Centennial Parklands Volunteer Program

Volunteer Program Manager, Mark Secombe, provided an update on the detail and achievements of the volunteer program. He explained volunteers fell into two categories: public and community volunteers, and corporate volunteers. There were 13,000 volunteer hours of work performed at the Parklands last year alone (up from 750 hours of volunteering performed just five years ago).

Have your say: email the CCC with your comments on this issue to ccc@cp.nsw.gov.au

3) Synthetic Sports Field proposal

A proposal to develop an all-weather synthetic playing facility in Moore Park was tabled for discussion and feedback. The proposal seeks to address the demand management and maintenance challenges of maintaining turf sports fields in the Parklands. It was noted that the Parklands maintain more turf playing fields than all surrounding councils combined, all of which are susceptible to wet weather closures.

The CCC sought assurances that all reasonable steps would be taken to ensure the field would be accessible to both community and elite groups.

3) Sustainable Parklands Projects

Craig Easdown, Manager Marketing and Communications, gave updates on various projects:

• Woollahra Gates restoration works now complete and the gates re-opened
• The Residences, Centennial Park are now open for bookings
• Oxford Street cycleway is progressing on time and will open in October
• A $1.5 million grant has been awarded for the Centennial Park Children’s Garden from the Ian Potter Foundation
• Stonework at Centennial Park Labyrinth is now completed and it will be opened on 15 September

>>Have your say: email the CCC with your comments on this issue toccc@cp.nsw.gov.au

4) Events in the Parklands

Updates were provided on the upcoming events program including:

• Science in the Swamp – 16 August
• The Color Run – 24 August
• Australian Garden Show Sydney – 4-7 September
• Sydney Running Festival – 21 September
• Listen out – 27 September
• JP Morgan Corporate Challenge – 12 November
• Polo in the City – 15 November
• Tropfest – 7 December

>>Have your say: email the CCC with your comments on this issue toccc@cp.nsw.gov.au

5) Administration

a) The CCC is represented on the Transport for NSW Moore Park Reference Group and attended a recent meeting to hear details of the new light rail. Transport for NSW presented on the ‘early works’ which will affect the Tramway Oval and the tennis centre. The CCC expressed interest in ensuring there is proper wayfinding and signage for park visitors and Robertson Road residents are thoroughly engaged in the consultation processes.

b) The CCC has had discussions with a proponent of a plan to improve cycling and pedestrian access from Centennial Park to the ocean, known as the Park to Pacific. Discussions were also held about ways of improving the Oxford Street intersection.

c) Discussion was had over concern that people with dogs in official off-leash areas were often unaware that under legislation they were still required to keep their dog under control. Suggested that the Parklands encourage families and school groups to use areas in the park which are not also available for unleashed dogs.

Parklands management will consider these messages as part of a dog user campaign for this year.

d) Discussion was had over ongoing concerns about speeding in the Parklands. It was noted that the community had previously rejected the introduction of speed humps and different road surfaces. The recent ‘Share the Park’ campaign confirmed that a certain % of cyclists and motorists continue to speed. The Parklands management will continue to consider options for improvement in park safety.

Next meeting: Tuesday 16 September 2014

Date: 16 September 2014

Major Community Issues discussed

1) Botanic Gardens & Centennial Parklands Integration Update

Kim Ellis (Executive Director) advised that the integration of the Royal Botanical Gardens Trust and Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust is continuing. Seven of the eight management positions have been selected. An overarching strategy for the new organisation has been developed and will be presented at the next CCC meeting.

2) Food and beverage tenders

Robert Hermann, A/Manager Commercial Services noted that an expression of interest process was conducted for food services for Vernon Pavilion, and the car park near the Paddington Gates in line with the Centennial Park Master Plan.

The Vernon Pavilion location licensee was selected and will replace the incumbent kiosk operator from 1 October 2014. The new licensee will initially operate from a food van and has plans to finance the construction of a temporary structure in 2016, in keeping with the park. The licensee also proposes to operate during the week once this structure is completed.

Members of the committee acknowledged the enormous contribution and tenure of the existing kiosk operator to the Parklands and its visitors for the past four decades.

Have your say: email the CCC with your comments on this issue to ccc@cp.nsw.gov.au

3) Environmental Education

Vanessa Barratt, Community Program and Education Leader, presented on environmental education in the Parklands. The objective of the program is to create an exceptional community experience with self funded education and community programs and in doing so attract a diverse range of people from the community to the Parklands.

So far, the strategy is meeting all of its objectives including:

• Improving the existing formal education products and services
• Growing participants and revenue for the community programs
• Securing alternative funding through grants
• Increasing the formal student participants in the programs
• 70% self funded and on track to 100% sustainability and self funding.

The key focus for all the programs is the concept of nature play and the continued development of “outdoor classrooms”.

Have your say: email the CCC with your comments on this issue to ccc@cp.nsw.gov.au

4) Sustainable Parklands Projects

Craig Easdown, Manager Marketing and Communications, gave updates on various projects:

• Cycleway along Oxford Street to be completed in September and opened w/c 13 October 2014.
• Labyrinth was completed and the official opening held in September with local media present to report on the multi-denominational opening ceremony.
• Moore Park Golf is undergoing a major upgrade and will be closed for 9 days from 7-17 October 2014 for painting and other structural improvements.
• Synthetic sports field at the Robertson Road fields at Moore Park – Project Manager to be appointed and consultation to commence in October 2014.
• The Ian Potter Childrens Wild Play Garden Project Manager is about to be appointed.

>>Have your say: email the CCC with your comments on this issue toccc@cp.nsw.gov.au

5) CCC Recruitment

Two member of the CCC will retire at the end of the year. Online and media recruitment for new CCC members commences September 2014. Aplications are due 5pm, 31 October with internal shortlist agreed late October 2014, interviews early November 2014, appointments December 2014 and commencement from February 2015.

Application details are online at: www.centennialparklands.com.au/about/community_consultative_committee/nomination_and_recruitment

6) Events in the Parklands

Updates were provided on the upcoming events program including:

• Completed events include:
  • Science in the Swamp - 16 August 2014
  • The Color Run - 24 August 2014
  • Australian Garden Show Sydney - 4-7 September 2014
• Upcoming events include:
  • Sydney Running Festival - 21 September 2014
  • Listen Out concert - 27 September 2014
  • Race for Kids – 18 October 2014
  • Spooks in the Park – 25 October 2014
  • JP Morgan Challenge – 12 November 2014
  • Tropfest - 7 December 2014
  • Moonlight Cinema – 12 December 2014

>>Have your say: email the CCC with your comments on this issue toccc@cp.nsw.gov.au

5) Administration

a) Correspondence was received from Save West Bondi Action Group in relation to proposals under consideration by Waverley Council to this area and the Waverley bus depot. Both the CCC and the Trust will continue to work closely with Waverley Council on this matter to understand the final details of the draft proposal.

Next meeting: Tuesday 11 November 2014

Date: 11 November 2014

Major Community Issues discussed

1) Mini Golf project

Ed Sanderson (Director Sport and Recreation) briefed the CCC on a proposal for a mini golfd facility at Moore Park Golf. Mini golf is an ideal extension to the products already on offer at Moore Park Golf. The facility is expected to include three mini golf courses, a total of 21 holes and will be child friendly and suitable for families with a fenced environment, including a specific children’s party area.

The design will be sympathetic to the environment and working with the Parklands theme. The design ensures current vistas are protected, heritage aesthetics (Toll House) are respected and a visually favourable landscaping façade is planted. The mini golf includes a six foot high fence to protect the course from passing traffic.

This project will include providing overflow parking with the potential for a total of 360 parking spots when required. In addition, the existing putting green will be relocated close to the first tee and this space will be used to construct a new indoor/outdoor entertainment space. The project will commence with community consultation early next year and completion will be in stages over 18 months.

2) Camp Gallipoli

Anthony Dunsford (Director Visitor Experience) advised that a Camp Gallipoli event will take place in Brazilian Fields, Centennial Park in 2015. This is a new event linked to the 100th anniversary of ANZAC next year.

The Parklands has a long, military history. The Camp Gallipoli concept is being run in several in public places around Australia, targeted at schools and families. The event has been endorsed by numerous stakeholders e.g. Department of Defence, Veteran Affairs, RSL and Legacy Australia.

The event will be start on the afternoon of 24 April 2015 through to Anzac Day 25 April 2015 morning with entertainment, a light horse procession, an outdoor cinema experience, documentaries and ending with a dawn service on Anzac Day.

3) South West Hub community consultation

The food and beverage and cycle hire facility at the children’s cycleway is out for community consultation. The Parklands made a submission to the Heritage Office about 10 days ago and the project now has its own online exhibition and physical exhibition in reception at the Parklands Office (until 28 November).

The development is part of the Centennial Park Master Plan and based on community needs for improved facilities in this part of the park.
The proposal can be viewed online.

Have your say: email the CCC with your comments on this issue toccc@cp.nsw.gov.au

4) CCC Review

The CCC has been busy this last year. Projects is has contributed to include:

• Centennial Park Master Plan 2040
• Queens Park Shed renovation
• Light Rail development – presentations, submission and attendance at Community Reference Group meetings
• Anzac Parade Footbridge – presentation and submission
• Parklands Projects including: Belvedere Amphitheatre, The Residences redevelopment, Moore Park Golf upgrades, Oxford St Cycleway, Centennial Park Labyrinth and the South West Hub planning process

Members have also attended various events in the Parklands to see ‘behind the scenes’ and have actively been involved in community engagement and given input into regulations and compliance campaigns such as the ‘Park is there to share’.

5) Sustainable Parklands Projects

Craig Easdown (Manager Marketing and Communications) gave updates on various projects:

• Cycleway along Oxford Street now opened
• Equestrian Centre Upgrade Works completed
• Equestrian Grounds Sand Track in progress
• Duck Pond water quality monitoring in progress

Have your say: email the CCC with your comments on this issue toccc@cp.nsw.gov.au

6) Events in the Parklands

Completed events include:

• Sydney Running Festival 21 September
• Listen Out concert 27 September
• Race for Kids – 18 October 2014
• Spooks in the Park – 25 October 2014

Upcoming events include:

• JP Morgan Challenge – 12 November 2014
• Polo in the City – 15 November
• Tropfest – 7 December
• Moonlight Cinema – 11 December to mid March

Have your say: email the CCC with your comments on this issue toccc@cp.nsw.gov.au

Next meeting: Tuesday 10 February 2015 5.30pm