New in 2022
Douglass
Avenue Reserve Embellishment Works
The scope of works for Douglass Avenue Reserve has recently changed and the embellishment works will now be staged.
Stage 1
Total cost of work is $50,000 from the Better Neighbourhoods Program (BNP) and $32,000 from the North Rocks Ward Initiatives budget. The scope of works include:
- Planting additional fast growth trees to the west and north-west of the new play space to provide additional natural shade
- New accessible 1.5 metre pathway connecting the carpark to the new play space
- Provision of a new 3 x 3m picnic table and bench units with picnic shelter
- After receiving community feedback regarding a bin near the playground, Council will be providing a garbage bin as part of these works
- New Douglass Avenue Reserve signage (currently in production)
- New Woodstock Road Shops signage (currently in production)
Stage 2
The carpark upgrade and connecting path will be delivered with future funding. Traffic signage will be required for the new kerb ramps to help maintain sightlines between pedestrians and motorists. The design for this stage of the project has been completed and will be ready to implement subject to future funding opportunities.
Concept plan
How did we do?
Woodstock Road Shops and Douglass Avenue Reserve upgrade
City of Parramatta Council values ongoing feedback from the community, and as such we would like to know what you thought about recent upgrades to Woodstock Road Shops and Douglass Avenue Reserve in Carlingford.
Before you have your say, check out some of the before and after pictures below to see how the shops and play space have been upgraded!
Have your say!
- Are you happy with the upgrades?
- Are the upgrades what you expected?
- Do you feel that Council listened to community feedback?
To provide your feedback, please complete the short feedback form below.
Supply of personal information: Further information is provided in the City of Parramatta's Privacy Statement.
Please note: City of Parramatta Council does not control the lease arrangements of privately owned shopping centres; this is managed by various real estate agents and also the owners of the shops. Council maintains and upgrades the public domain which encompasses the space in front and surrounding shopping centres.
Community engagement
The City of Parramatta is upgrading Woodstock Road Shops and the playground at Douglass Avenue Reserve in Carlingford as part of our long-running Better Neighbourhood Program (BNP).
Thank you to everyone that provided feedback during stage one consultation in September 2020. We had a strong response to the feedback opportunity, with 69 responses received via the online submission option and 58 contributions made via the visioner tool.
In late 2020, we again sought community feedback; this time on the draft concept plans prepared for Woodstock Road Shops and Douglass Avenue Reserve Playground. Council received 77 responses via the online submission option during this second stage of consultation.
Feedback on the Woodstock Road Shops draft concept plan was generally positive, with community members noting that the planned seating under trees will be a great addition as increased shade will improve the usability of the area for longer. The proposed street library was also very well supported.
Some respondents provided comments about the possible addition of a bubbler and the orientation of the car parking spaces. A number of suggestions were also received with respect to possible activities that could be delivered in the area which could cater to a wide variety of age groups.
The draft concept plan presented to the community in late 2020 proposed relocating the playground from its current location at the bottom of the reserve within the tree canopy, to a nearby open space to avoid critical vegetation, increase passive surveillance opportunities and provide a better connection to the carpark and subsequently Woodstock Road Shops. Feedback from community consultation was generally supportive of the proposed new playground location.
During consultation, Council also heard that the community would like to see a bike/scooter track incorporated into the new playground, which could encourage young children to learn to ride. This request has been incorporated into the design brief provided to playground equipment providers.
Douglass Avenue Reserve playground upgrade - What did we hear?
In February 2021, Council sought community feedback on a preferred choice for the upgraded play equipment at Douglass Avenue Reserve.
Throughout the community engagement period, 228 submissions were made via the online survey. Thank you to everyone that had their say!
Playground option four was most preferred, with 41% of respondents selecting this (followed next by option eight with 33%). 69 open comments were also provided, with a mixture of feedback received in relation to shade, seating, provision of a bin and further paths throughout the park.
In response to community feedback, Council will be moving forward with the construction of playground option four. Seating is being provided, and although no bin is currently planned for, this will be assessed at the completion of the project.
Please note that with all playground upgrades, City of Parramatta aims to make every playground unique to the surrounding area and to avoid duplicating the experience provided at nearby playgrounds. We are also guided by the Community Infrastructure Strategy which sets out expectations for playground upgrades. Douglass Avenue Reserve playground is currently categorised as a pocket park, targeted to 0-5-year-old children, with skills-based components.
Frequently asked questions - Douglass Avenue Reserve playground
No shade sails are planned for this playground. however several trees have been proposed in the draft concept plan to provide shade from the northern and western sun.
No fence will be provided. Any money spent on fencing would be subtracted from the overall budget which would mean less money for playground equipment. Fences are therefore only included in local playgrounds when necessary.
The playground upgrade will not require the removal of any trees. The tree canopy is comprised of critically endangered Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest which Council will retain and protect.
No water play is planned for this playground as it is only to be installed in specially considered locations and is too expensive to install and maintain under a Local Playground budget.
No trampolines or flying foxes are planned for this playground as these items are too expensive to be funded under a Local Playground budget.
Outdoor exercise equipment is not designed for children and cannot be included in playgrounds. The budget has been specifically allocated to upgrade the playground and does not allow for additional items in the park.
Yes, the playground will include two new seats with backrests.
No bin or bubbler are planned to be installed as part of this upgrade.
The play surface around the play equipment will be made from a coloured porous rubber.
Frequently asked questions - General
A range of comments were provided from community members, with most people wanting a greater variety of shopping options at Woodstock Shops, with improved accessibility and the need for greater vibrancy, key themes that came through.
In relation to Douglass Park Reserve, community members are looking for increased useability of the park with a strong desire for the provision of more sports and exercise options, as well as a greater variety of improved family friendly facilities.
Council also sought your input on preferred playground themes for Douglass Avenue Reserve. Six options were presented, the results of which are provided below.
The Better Neighbourhood Program (BNP) is a long-running and successful Council program that focuses on the capital upgrades of local centres outside of the Parramatta CBD. The BNP commenced in 1999 and delivers improvements to centres with the goal of enhancing safety, vitality and economic prosperity.
Between 2011 and 2019, Council invested $11,761,333 in BNP projects, which consisted primarily of:
- Capital upgrades to local, town and neighbourhood centres. Examples of projects delivered include streetscape upgrades at Carmen Drive, Ventura Road, The Chisholm Centre, Carlingford and Lawndale Road Shops.
- Connecting Centres projects to improve access to local centres and neighbourhoods.
- Complementary public domain improvements.
A total of $3,200,000 has been allocated to the BNP over the next two financial years. This includes $620,000 in FY 2019/20 and $2,580,000 in FY 2020/21. The funding allocation is larger in the second year to allow for detailed design and construction processes to be completed in FY 2020/21.
Click the link below to learn more.
It is important to note that the tree canopy in the reserve comprises Critically Endangered Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest that is protected under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. An upgraded playground would need to ensure there are no encroachments into the tree protection and structural root zones of any significant trees. This is to guarantee the potential impacts are minimised.
