Council Projects
World War Two Markers Project
In 2006, the Queensland Government released it's 'Celebrating our history' policy, which is administered by the Department of Public Works (the Department). The Government, under this policy, allocated $3.3 million to install place markers, interpretive signage and tourist facilities at sites with military significance.
The World War Two Markers Project intends to establish a quality digital information resource. A template detailing GPS and site information data formats, storage and presentation will be provided. The project intends to record site information that includes the sites exact GPS location, nominates the military organisation, units or groups that were occupiers of the site, and describes the site's use during World War Two.
Please provide details of World War Two Site in Mount Isa by completing the online form and assist Mount Isa City Council in this project.
Family Recreation Park
Family Recreation Park Concept Plan
More information and Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the Project?
Why is it needed in Mount Isa?
What are the aims of the Project?
What are the expected community benefits of the Project?
Why was the location chosen?
What community consultation has been carried out?
How will the Project be funded?
What security measures have been taken?
Who will maintain the Park?
What facilities will the park contain?
What are the hours of use?
Will the Park be shaded?
Will there be enough Car Parks?
Will there be enough public seating?
What testing has been done for contaminated land?
How does the park cater for persons with disabilities?
How does the park cater for parents/carers watching over young children?
How does the park cater for persons of different age groups?
What is the Project?
The Project is the development of a city central recreational park that will cater for the needs of children and families of all abilities in Mount Isa. The project is part of a long term strategy for renewal of Mount Isa's Sport and Recreation facilities.
The Family Recreation Park design was achieved through user group consultation which identified the specific needs and desires of the intended users of the park.
Why is it needed in Mount Isa?
A `Sport and Recreation' study performed in 1997 identified the proposed site as an ideal recreation area for development. There has been public outcry since 2005 for a quality regional family playground/park. Mount Isa has a population of around 22,000 of which 26% are under 14 years of age and 15.2% are between 15-24 years of age, both of which are higher than the Queensland average (Source: ABS, 2006) It is these children and their families who will greatly benefit from this project.
What are the aims of the Project?
The park aims to:
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Be accessible to the whole community by its central location within the city centre
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Improve the use of an existing under utilised area within the city centre
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Provide facilities which support a range of recreational activities (passive & active)
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Actively engage families & cater for different age groups
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Be accessible for persons of all abilities
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Have playground and play elements which encourage children to be physically active and socially interactive
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Allow night time use and activities in a safe environment
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Allow day time use by providing relief from the sun with shade shelters, trees and shade over play areas
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Encourage outdoor community events, performances and dramatic activities
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Integrate with existing and neighbouring facilities, further enhancing and building on the functionality of the precinct as a recreational and leisure hub.
What are the expected community benefits of the Project?
The expected benefits of the project are:
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Increased outdoor play of children resulting in increased physical health and improved emotional, social and learning skills
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Improved inclusion/participation for persons of disabilities within the community
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Improved community and neighbourhood relations
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Reduced incidences of skin cancer through making more shaded outdoor play areas available to the community
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Involvement across the entire community enabling families to develop a sense of ownership and connection to the park, consequently reducing vandalism
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Increase in tourism
Why was the location chosen?
The Location is within walking distance of the city centre, in a currently under-utilised vacant area. The site is surrounded by and will be a compliment to existing public recreational facilities including Kruttschnitt Park, Splashez Aquatic Centre, the Skate Park and the Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC).
As the site is central to the City it is accessible to a greater populace than would any other location with in the City. Inclusion across the entire community will enable families to develop a sense of ownership and connection to the park, consequently reducing vandalism. The presence of the PCYC and adjoining facilities combined with the site's central location and designed security features will also act as a deterrent for vandalism.
What community consultation has been carried out?
In 2007 public surveys and consultation with Police, Ambulance, Emergency Services, Xstrata and other stakeholders identified the continued support for the construction of the Family Recreation Park.
The public surveys were sent to all Mount Isa High schools, Primary Schools, Kindergartens and Day care centres. The survey was also available at the Mount Isa City Council (MICC), Public Library, PCYC and MICC web site. The survey results confirmed the continued support of the project, and the excitement of the community. It also identified specifically what facilities the public would like to see in the park.
The MICC consulted with schools to help choose specific playground equipment for the park. Interactive presentations were given to children from various age groups which received very positive feedback and enthusiasm from the children.
The MICC held a meeting with the Mount Isa Special School's Principal and senior teacher/carer to discuss suitable `access for all' equipment and the general accessibility of the park. The school was very happy with all of the suggested equipment and looked forward to the construction of the park.
How will the Project be funded?
The total project cost is estimated at $4,250,000 (exc) and the funding breakdown will be as follows:
|
Q150 (Sate Gov Funding) |
$1,500,000 |
|
Security Improvement Program (State Gov Funding) |
$100,000 |
|
Disability Services Qld (State Gov Funding) |
$150,000 |
|
Corporate Sponsorship |
$1,000,000 |
|
Mount Isa City Council |
$1,500,000 |
|
TOTAL |
$4,250,000 |
What security measures have been taken?
Great consideration has been given to the security of the park and its users. The park follows principles of CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) an initiative developed by the National Crime Prevention Council.
Natural Surveillance and Sight Lines
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The park is clearly visible from Church Street and portions of the park are visible from Isa Street. The park is in a Commercial Zoned area and is overlooked by an Aquatic Centre, Police Citezens Youth Club (PCYC), Queensland Ambulance and Kruttschnitt Park Sports Oval.
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All walkways have clear sightlines.
Entrapment Areas
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All pathways within the park have high branching vegetation and no or minimal low lying vegetation.
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Multiple entry/exit points (3) have been established in the park. Also, multiple pedestrian entry/exit (2) points have been established in the playground, along with multiple emergency entry/exits (2).
Clustering and Programming
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To increase use and natural surveillance the park has been positioned in a highly recreational area, ie. Surrounded by Aquatic Centre, PCYC and Kruttschnitt Park Sports Oval.
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The park itself has ranging activities to increase use including: Skate Park, Garden Gazebo Area, Entertainment Stage Area, Junior and Senior Playground, Water Play and Picnic areas.
Location of Activity Generators
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The park caters for special events, specifically 'The Mega Day Out' and other community celebrations.
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The park is situated adjacent to the PCYC, Kruttschnitt Park and Splashez Aquatic Centre which all have kiosk facilities available.
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The events/stage area is located between two pedestrian pathways and is within 10m of a Public Carpark.
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To avoid isolation the playground area is adjacent to the main entry street/carpark.
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The toilet facilites are located within the playground area.
Night Time Use
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The park is intended to be open till 10pm in the evening, therefore all areas will be well lit making them highly visible.
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The park will be lit with floodlights after closing time to discourage vandals and undesirables.
Fencing
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The most vandal prone amenities will be within a 1.8m high fenced off area which will have restricted access at park closing time.
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The Junior Play area will be surrounded by a pool-style fence with self closing/locking gates.
Signs and Information
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Directional, emergency and facility signs are to be located at the major park entrances.
Lighting
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The park is intended for night time use, therfore street level lighting will be provided along pedestrain pathways, whilst floodlights will be provided in the playground/picnic area as well as events/stage area. Ambient lighting will also be used in gardens and minor pathways.
Formal Surveillance
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The Mount Isa Police have advised that they will, as part of its normal response to public safety, conduct regular patrols of the area.
Optimisation and Linkages
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The park is located in a position which has pedestrian linkages to the CBD and adjacent parks.
Playground Softfall
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The playground softfall will be rubberised softfall to avoid health and hygiene issues that are sometimes associated with alternate softfall (sand or woodchip) in a multi user environment.
Who will maintain the Park?
A Parks and Gardens Maintenance crew will be responsible for maintaining the gardens, litter, graffiti and vandalism within the park daily.
What facilities will the park contain?
The facilities within the park include:
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Shaded Water Play/Spray Park
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Garden/Gazebo Area
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Shaded Junior Play Equipment (1-6 years)
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Performance/Stage Area
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Shaded Senior Play Equipment (6-15 years)
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Drinking fountains and bike racks
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Bike Track with accessories
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Toilet Facilities and Outdoor Shower
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Open Grass/Picnic Area
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Sculptures and community artwork/mural
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Double Flying Fox/ Cable ride
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Shade/Picnic structures
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Sensory Garden and board walk
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Tables, benches and BBQ's
What are the hours of use?
It is proposed the park will be open from 7.30am until 10 pm. On week days the gates will be opened by Council Park Crews and locked by Council's contracted Security operators. The contracted Security will also lock and unlock the gates on weekends and public holidays.
Will the Park be shaded?
Shade has been a high priority for the design of the Family Recreation Park. A result of the community survey for the project was that 84% of participants identified shade shelters as being a high priority within the park. This is no surprise as the Mount Isa Climate has maximum temperatures which reach well into the 40 degree scale in summer, making shade a major concern for the community using outdoors spaces.
The design includes:
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6 solid shade structures close to play areas and BBQ facilities.
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A formal gazebo setting (to possibly be used for weddings/ celebrations or events)
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A large solid shade structure will cover the amphitheatre/seating area for the stage.
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80% of the playground equipment will be shaded with heavy duty commercial grade shade sails.
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Many advanced trees will be planted throughout the park.
Will there be enough Car Parks?
A new car park will be constructed to the south of Church Street. The car park will hold around 200 car parks and cater for the Family Recreation Park, Krutschnitt Park and Xstrata Church Street Operational personnel As a result of the Family Recreation Park project, the car park area to the north of the PCYC and Splashez Aquatic Centre will be redeveloped in the future, greatly increasing the number of car parks.
Will there be enough public seating?
There will be public seating available throughout the park, within the play areas and under the solid shade structures. Public seating will be placed in shaded areas where possible.
What testing has been done for contaminated land?
The project location is not on the contaminated lands register.
A 'Whole of Emissions Study' was initiated by Xstrata Mount Isa Mines in late 2006 to assess and determine whether there were any potential significant risks to human and ecological health in the Mount Isa community from current or previous mining operations in the city.
The following excerpts are from the Xstrata Community Briefing Paper 28 November 2007 Whole of Emissions Study Phase 1 - Emissions to Land Study of Lead in the Leichhardt River and Surrounding Locations.
"During the initial Phase 1 study, 21 representative soil and sediment samples were collected from upstream and downstream of the Leichhardt River, including samples taken from the vicinity of the velodrome (Wellington Oval), the swimming pool (Splashez), Kruttschnitt Oval, and the Skate Park. These samples comprised 13 soils, 6 sediments and 2 samples for acid generation properties."
"Samples at the Skate Park, Kruttschnitt Oval, and swimming pool, as well as downstream in the Leichhardt River, showed only low levels of lead. These areas were emphatically ruled out as being potential areas of risk to the community."
It is also noteworthy that the area will be further sealed by rubber softfall, new foam covering, new vegetation and concrete.
How does the park cater for persons with disabilities?
The park has been designed to be accessible for persons of all abilities by the following measures:
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Accessible pathways (including access ramps)
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Convenient car parking
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Accessible gates
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Accessible play equipment (rubber softfall around all play equipment)
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Accessible/inclusive play equipment (This equipment includes a 'Liberty Swing' which allows children to use a swing while still in their wheel-chair.)
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Accessible toilet facilities (in a central location to all facilities, located between the two main entrances to the park)
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Pathway access to all facilities
The MICC has received funding from Disability Services Queensland for an 'All Abilities Playground Project.' The MICC will meet the requirements of the state government department and has also consulted with local agencies. The MICC held a meeting with the Mount Isa Special School's Principal and senior teacher/carer to discuss suitable `access for all' equipment and the general accessibility of the park. The school was very happy with all of the suggested equipment and looked forward to the construction of the park.
How does the park cater for parents/carers watching over young children?
The Junior play equipment is within a secure pool-style fenced area which has automatic closing gates. Within this area there is ample seating for parents/carers. Parents/carers also have the option of watching over their children from the grassed mound adjacent to the junior play area, or sitting under the shade structures between the senior/junior play areas.
Furthermore, trees within the park will have high canopies to allow parents/carers to have full vision of their children within the park.
How does the park cater for persons of different age groups?
The playground areas have been designed to cater for two age groups, Junior Play (1-6yrs) Senior Play (6-15yrs). However, these are not the only age groups to be considered in the design. A variety of activities, passive and active, will keep members of the entire family entertained and relaxed.
The Junior Play equipment focuses on Role Play with themed equipment including a Pirate Ship, Train and Train Station. The rubber softfall continues this theme with different colours representing land and water. The junior play area also has interactive play panels and equipment which allows children of all abilities to experience every aspect of play including sensory, motor, imaginative and educational.
The Senior Play equipment focuses on motor skills and exercise. The equipment encourages children of this age group to be physically active in a fun, challenging environment.
The bike track and accessories allow children of different age groups and abilities to participate and develop their skills.
The Sensory Garden offers a board walk and educational experience through the surrounding plants and interactive panels. It is here that all age groups, from toddlers to the senior citizens, will be able to experience different textures and smells of plants in a relaxing environment.
The Garden/Gazebo area has a classic gazebo set amongst formal gardens. The gazebo could possibly be used for weddings/ celebrations/events or just relaxing.
The stage/amphitheatre allows different age groups to come together whether it be participating in a performance or viewing as a member of the audience. This area will allow for a variety of events including dance, theatre, music etc.
