Parks & Leisure Summer 2018 Issue 21.4

parks &leisure AUSTRALAS IAN

Volume 21.4 Summer 2018 ISSN: 1446-5604

Events, Tourism & Arts

PLA AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE: 2018 Winners

Building a Trail to our Future

Discovering Australia’s HIDDEN GEMS NATURE IS GOOD MEDICINE

PUBLIC [ART] Silo Trail

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CONTENTS REGULARS

FEATURES 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 55

Nature is Good Medicine Playing with Nature Swimming Freely: Yanga Lakes Ocean Plastics Building a Trail to our Future The Cost of Drowning Discover your Hidden Gems The Secret Life of Wombats Everyone Can Play in NSW Aquatic Facility of the Year Flawed UV Advice Taking Communities Along for the Ride Guided Walks for Local Parks Weighing up the Risks WAVES 2018 Generate Australia: The Next Gen Pasterfield Sports Complex Event Organisation for Marginalised Communities PUBLIC Silo Trail Pilbara Creative & Cultural Forum PLA Awards of Excellence: 2018 Winners PLA Awards of Excellence: National Finalist Showcase

4 6 59 62 63 66

From the PLA President & CEO From the NZRA Chair & CEO Research Connections PLA Advisory News Courses & Events Join Us on Social Media

48 24

14

32

ADVERTISING ART DIRECTOR Martha Rubazewicz PRODUCTION EDITOR Nicole Mulloy nmulloy@umco.com.au

ADVERTISING PRODUCTION COORDINATOR William West

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR John Senior journal@parksleisure.com.au EDITORIAL & PRODUCTION MANAGER Nicoll Parton marketing@parksleisure.com.au DESIGNER Michaela Primiano PUBLISHER Janice Williams SALES/ACCOUNT MANAGERS Marcus Hucker (NSW) 0410 338 119 Antonia Bewley (QLD & WA) 0418 424 410 Pilar Danlag (VIC & SA) 0414 468 243

CHAIRMAN/CEO Prema Perera PUBLISHER Janice Williams CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Vicky Mahadeva ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Emma Perera FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION MANAGER James Perera

CIRCULATION BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Mark McTaggart CREATIVE DIRECTOR Kate Podger MARKETING & ACQUISITIONS MANAGER Chelsea Peters

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Phone: (02) 9805 0399, Fax: (02) 9805 0714. Melbourne office, Suite 4 Level 1, 150 Albert Road, South Melbourne 3205 (03) 9694 6444, Fax: (03) 9699 7890. Printed by KHL Printing Co Pte Ltd, Singapore. This book is copyright.

Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission. Enquiries should be addressed to the publishers. The publishers believe all the information supplied in this book to be correct at the time of printing. They are not, however, in a position to make a guarantee to this effect and accept no liability in the event of any information proving inaccurate. Prices, addresses and phone numbers were, after investigation, and to the best of our knowledge and belief, up to date at the time of printing, but the shifting sands of time may change them in some cases. It is not possible for the publishers to ensure that advertisements which appear in this publication comply with the Trade Practices Act, 1974. The responsibility must therefore be on the person, company or advertising agency submitting the advertisements for publication. While every endeavour has been made to ensure complete accuracy, the publishers cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions.

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Summer 2018 | AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE 3

FROM THE PLA PRESIDENT

PAUL JANE

W

elcome to the summer edition of the Parks and Leisure journal. For those fortunate enough to attend the International Parks and Leisure Congress in Melbourne, wasn’t it a great event showcasing the best of local and international practitioners in the field?

A huge congratulations go to all our award winners. Each year the

competition gets hotter and hotter; award nominees and winners alike should be proud of their efforts.

I am deeply honoured to be taking on the role of Parks and Leisure Australia President and wish to sincerely thank all those members I have been fortunate enough to have met and collaborated with along my Parks and Leisure journey.

Like many, I started my time with the organisation tentatively, looking in and wondering what it was all about.

However I was quickly welcomed in and found professional connections and comradery that support my daily work and, importantly, provide support when the road gets a little rough. For me, this is the essence of Parks and Leisure - the people. The connections and the friendships you develop as you share your passion for creating a better place for us all to live in.

My personal journey in the sector started as a lifeguard before I moved into local and state government, acting as a giant sponge absorbing information and

experiences from those that I worked with.

Throughout my career I’ve been fortunate enough to have been mentored and worked under and with some exceptional leaders and, as a consequence, have been given many opportunities. Upon reflection, much of this occurred through good fortune rather than planned, but it’s something I’m passionate about bringing to PLA members as a statement of how we do business.

When I look around the national and regional boards, with all their respective sub-committees and special interest groups, I see a shared passion to advance our sector, a passion that is mirrored in the regional executives and the PLA head office team.

Harnessing this passion and adapting the organisation to a rapidly changing environment will be the key to our future success and how we deliver on the vision of making Australia the most liveable country in the world.

Paul Jane PLA President

FROM THE PLA CEO

MARK BAND

F

irstly, I’d like to welcome Paul Jane as the new President of PLA and thank the outgoing President, Martin Lambert, for all his hard work, support and leadership over the last few years.

PLA has come a long way, and with a strong, committed and highly skilled Board, we are in good hands as we move forward through the next exciting chapters of our growth.

Speaking of which, this year’s Interional Congress, which was run in conjunction with the World Urban Parks, was an unbelievable success,

and the biggest PLA conference ever run! We have never had to close the doors because we were full before; which goes to show how the organisation is growing and how much you, our members, value the importance of what we all do in this exciting and beneficial industry for the broader community.

As we come into summer and more people are getting out and about in our parks and open spaces, the need to ensure we preserve and manage them in a manner that responds to the pressures of an increasingly urbanised and growing society is more pressing than ever. The theme of the Congress aligned closely with this, and a resulting outcome is we are now entering into a research project with the University of Adelaide.

This research project will look at what is happening across the globe and help us to ensure we are providing government with the right advice in relation to park and open space management in Australia, so as to protect and preserve the lifestyles we

We thank our national sponsors and partners:

4 AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE | Summer 2018

have all become accustomed to.

From a membership point of view, we hope you are enjoying the new web platform and all of its offerings.

The new membership structure is also now in place. Please remember that the corporate package is geared toward getting as many of your colleagues or employees on board as members; all of whom will benefit from the many offerings, including discounted seminars, conferences and events, access to the Certified Parks and Leisure Professional accreditation, networking, research advocacy, and of course professional development.

Thanks again for all that you do for your communities and our industry, and have a wonderful, safe and enjoyable Christmas and a prosperous 2019.

Merry Christmas from all at Parks and Leisure Australia.

Mark Band PLA CEO

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FROM THE NZRA CHAIR

MARK BOWATER

K

ia ora koutou.

Welcome to the summer edition of the Journal! With key themes around recreation and tourism, the economic and social impacts of events, and a focus on arts and culture, I thought I would share a few personal insights and interests, which I’m sure many of you will resonate with.

Arts, culture and events all play a key role in shaping and defining our urban lifestyles. This is the mental stimulation that we seek to enrich our lives. Recreation provides us with the opportunities to get active and physical, to get outside, to connect with nature. We need a balance of all

of this in our busy lives, particularly as we juggle commitments across professional work, families and friends, home interests, and voluntary work.

I have always enjoyed being active and keeping fit. When my running legs started complaining, I took to the gym, mountain biking and standup paddle boarding.

Mountain bike racing provides a wonderful opportunity for adventure travel, combining competitive recreation with tourism, often at scenic locations. Racing across the Southern Alps in Central Otago is an addictive experience. Once you’ve learned how to pack your bike down into an airline travel bag, distance is no obstacle!

Music concerts and sporting events have long been a keen interest, and some of the best and most memorable are the ones that link travel, tourism, and recreation with unique locations and experiences.

Think about watching Irish band U2 play in front of their home crowd in Cork, or munching caramelised popcorn while the San Francisco Giants play their best baseball at

their famous AT&T stadium on the waterfront. WOMAD is an amazing multi-cultural and incredibly diverse music festival in New Plymouth that attracts people from all over the world.

WOMADELAIDE in South Australia now beckons early next year.

No matter what your special interest or passion is, I’m sure you will agree that arts, culture, events, recreation and tourism are at the heart of a happy lifestyle, alongside your loved ones.

Enjoy this issue as you reflect on the intrinsic value this brings to our lives.

Mark Bowater NZRA Chair

FROM THE NZRA CEO

ANDREW LESLIE

T

ēnā koutou e ngā hau e wha.

It’s been another busy but successful year for the New Zealand Recreation Association, with a full calendar of conferences hosting over 800 delegates across the last 12 months.

At the beginning of 2018, NZRA went to Christchurch to host two conferences for the Parks and Open Spaces sector: the Green Pavlova conference and the biannual Cemeteries and Crematoria Conference.

We followed this with the Outdoors Forum in Auckland, where we were lucky enough to arrive at the venue by waka; an incredible experience that our delegates won’t forget.

We held our Waves Conference in Rotorua, which gave us access to fantastic facilities for our field trips and an amazing view across the town for our awards dinner from the Skyline Rotorua.

It’s important that we remember the people throughout the recreation and sport workforce whose passion and dedication is so critical to providing high-quality recreation in New Zealand.

We have done that through the Aquatics Awards, Outdoors Awards and Recreation Awards. To see the winners of this year’s awards, take a look at our website: nzrecreation.org.nz.

As always, NZRA depends on the relationships with our partners,and on the enthusiasm and dedication of all those who are involved in recreation.

6 AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE | Summer 2018

Our successful year is thanks to the dedication and energy of our members, staff and partners and their unwavering belief in the value of our work, which continues to inspire us to deliver.

Ngā mihi nui.

Andrew Leslie NZRA CEO

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NATURE IS GOOD MEDICINE HOW CAN GREENSPACES PROVIDE BETTER HEALTH BENEFITS FOR VICTORIANS? WORDS TONY VARCOE, PARKS VICTORIA

O

n 31 August at the Melbourne Zoo, Parks Victoria, in partnership with other Victorian Government departments, hosted the inaugural Victorian Nature Is Good Medicine Summit, a forum to bring together senior decision makers from government, not-for-profit, medical, academic, and corporate sectors, with the goal of building new collaborative partnerships to further activate our parks as settings for preventative and restorative health.

Building on the work of the Victorian Government’s leading initiatives, Healthy Parks Healthy People, the Victorian Public Health and Wellbeing Plan and the State Biodiversity 2037 Strategy, the Summit gathered together more than 100 participants across 60 organisations to: • Develop an agreed upon vision for how Victoria’s parks can be further activated to provide restorative and

preventative health benefits to the Victorian community; • Identify focus areas for the activation of parks to generate physical, mental and social health benefits for target groups; and • Activate cross-sector collaboration to create an exciting future for parks and nature as place-based health solutions.

their culture through the land, and the many health and wellbeing benefits he is seeing as a result.

Tony Varcoe from Parks Victoria provided a short history and key milestones in the health and nature “journey” so far, as well as setting the context for future initiatives. Tony talked about the evolution of Healthy Parks Healthy People and noted that we have made good progress in the development of strong local policy settings from global to local.

He highlighted the rapidly growing evidence for the physical, mental and social health benefits of nature, but also noted that there was work to be done in scaling up the research and communicating available evidence to the health sector.

SUMMIT HIGHLIGHTS Uncle Dave Wandin, a senior Wurundjeri Elder, contributed the Welcome to Country and set the scene for the day, speaking about the deep belief the Aboriginal people have in connecting nature and wellbeing, and the moral obligation we have to look after our land and sea.

Uncle Dave also shared his own personal reflections on how, as an Elder and advisor, he is working with young people to reconnect them to

8 AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE | Summer 2018

Grampions National Park, Victoria

Discussion groups set about developing proposals

AS A STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT TO ACTIVATING PARKS FOR HEALTH BENEFITS, PARKS VICTORIA ANNOUNCED THAT IT WOULD INTRODUCE AUSTRALIA’S FIRST HEALTH RANGERS IN PARKS. Tony also highlighted the fact that we have gained much experience in learning lessons from pilot programs and the many activities that are being done on a small scale, and that we have begun to build stronger cross-sector partnerships (eg cross departmental groups). However, more work is required in the development of scaled-up initiatives and sustainable delivery and funding models.

In setting the context for the next steps, Tony outlined how we need to recognise a spectrum of nature-based health opportunities, from prevention and addressing at-risk populations, to treatment, recovery and rehabilitation.

Dr Rob Grenfell from the CSIRO provided a short summary of the evidence, as well as some of the

lessons learned from previous pilot programs, including models for delivery of green prescriptions and other similar projects. He noted the challenges of working across a complex web of heath sector providers, and reinforced the need to be fit-for-purpose, locally generated and include formal evaluation of costs and benefits.

An expert panel, comprised of Zoos Victoria, VicHealth, the Australian Integrative Medicine Association, Women in Sport and Recreation, Austin Hospital and Back in Motion, discussed issues such as overcoming participation barriers, setting expectations about our health by “being the best you can be” through nature-based experiences, the trend in personalised and holistic health practice, and the untapped potential for nature-based health to integrate our physical mental and social wellbeing.

SUMMIT OUTCOMES AND THE NEXT STEPS The Summit included several discussion groups charged with developing ideas and both shortterm and long-term proposals, covering policy gaps, research coordination, health practitioner training and education, integration and mainstreaming of nature play and outdoor education, implementation of green prescriptions programs, creation of new opportunities in nature-based therapeutic health, opportunities to improve the health of Aboriginal communities through reconnection

programs, improving inclusion for nature-based health, park design for targeted health outcomes, and the building of new networks and alliances that drive the health-in-nature agenda.

The Summit highlighted the rapidly increasing desire of many organisations to both recognise and implement nature-based health solutions. The day resulted in fantastic engagement from across many sectors. New relationships formed and existing ones strengthened over the exploration of diverse opportunities to work together to create short, medium and longerterm changes to support our health and prevention systems.

HEALTH RANGERS As a statement of commitment to activating parks for health benefits, Parks Victoria announced that it would introduce Australia’s first Health Rangers in parks.

A pilot programme over 2018/19 will see at least three Health Rangers located in urban parks in Melbourne, including Albert Park and Lysterfield Park.

Health rangers will help make parks more accessible than ever by delivering activities and working with health service providers, volunteers and other groups to deliver more nature-based health programs. These will include green prescriptions, walking, cycling, bushcraft and outdoor skills, water-based activities and programs that promote positive mental health.

USEFUL LINKS To view the full Victorian Memorandum for Health and Nature visit www.environment.vic.gov.au/biodiversity/victorian-memorandum-for-health-and-nature

Summer 2018 | AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE 9

PLAYING WITH NATURE UNDERSTANDING THE NUANCES OF NATURE PLAY VS NATURE-BASED PLAY CAN HELP US CREATE BETTER PLAYSPACES WORDS KATHERINE MASIULANIS (AILA), DIRECTOR OF LEAF DESIGN STUDIO

R

oughly a decade ago, coinciding with the release of Richard Louv’s famous Last Child in the Woods, there started to be a focus on children playing in nature again. Perhaps it was a reaction to the rising green movement, increases in childhood obesity, or perceptions of mental health

issues. Now, almost every playspace brief that I see has a mention of “nature-based play experiences”, bush kinders and playgroups are widespread, and Councils facilitate nature-play sessions.

Having recently completed a book, How to Grow a Playspace: Design and Development, with co-author and

10 AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE | Summer 2018

editor Elizabeth Cummins, I’d like to share some of our findings to promote nuanced thinking in this field. By having a clearer idea of what we want to achieve, and what genuinely seems to work, we can design more successful and engaging spaces and programmes.

In compiling the book, we deliberately included diverse people and projects, both geographically and philosophically. Playing within and with nature is a strong theme through all the projects: from forest schools in the UK (Christina Dee), to play patterns in schools (Mary Jeavons), water play in early years settings in Scotland (Theresa Casey and Margaret Westwood), and planting for children’s play (John Rayner). The book also covers built environments, such as a new Global Gardens of Peace project in Gaza (Andrew Laidlaw), as well as large scale regional playspaces like Lafayette Park in San Francisco (Jeffery Miller).

An important concept to reflect on in this discussion is that of play affordances. A term coined by JJ Gibson in the 1970s, an affordance can be described as the physical and ergonomic qualities of an object that allow particular actions. In children’s play, one element may allow multiple affordances, depending on their imagination, the social environment, time or weather. For example, one day a bench seat may be a balance beam, another day it is a spaceship. In both cases, the affordance is about keeping off the ground - either out of the reach of imaginary crocodiles or for play in ‘outer space’1.

Reflecting on my own experiences as a designer and those of our contributors, and using the lens of affordances, I’d like to offer an important distinction between nature play and nature-based play.

Nature play, as I see it, is interacting with the natural environment. This is very often in a non-constructed environment, such as messing about

with a stick and a muddy puddle.

Nature play can be more ephemeral: slower, more involved, and more imaginative. Materials for play are improvised and found.

Nature-based play includes built structures and spaces that utilise natural materials such as logs or timber posts with irregular forms. Materials for play are provided and often the experiences are more physical.

At first, I realise that this may appear to be a purely semantic differentiation.

However, the experiences available and offered are very different. When a nature-based playspace is constructed, there may be nature play elements within it, and in some circumstances these are taken up and embraced wholeheartedly. However, a cynic would suggest that the natural elements are largely aesthetic, allowing the playspace to better blend into its surroundings, and perhaps providing a ‘warm fuzzy’ feeling for adults. Do timber posts, for example, actually change the climbing activities provided by a particular piece of equipment? Do log steppers create a different activity than concrete or plastic ones? The affordance of stepping or climbing is the same as with a synthetic material.

I’m not suggesting that there is no value in including natural elements. In an increasingly plastic and paved urban environment, a diversity of sensory textures and an appreciation of materials that are irregular and uneven is visually and developmentally important. However, it is worth examining to what extent these materials influence the play affordances, so that we can design and commission play environments mindfully.

School grounds are particularly interesting environments in which every inch of the space is known and used in creative ways. While constructed playspaces are definitely and intensively used, there is also scratching in the dirt behind the bushes; using twigs, leaves and pebbles to make cubbies or ‘potions’; and mounds and nests made of grass clippings.

Sandpits, if well designed, are highly used by children of different ages.

However, there are various regional playspace sites where large and lovely sandplay areas have been constructed that are ignored by the children who visit them. Why is this? I’m not sure, but I have a theory.

A regional playspace is by definition one to which children are taken as a special event. They have a limited time to play within the schedule of

The Nature Playground in Valbyparken, Copenhagen. Image Helle Nebelong

the day and are usually supervised by adults. Children have a healthy compulsion to play and so will seize on the opportunities presented. However, when faced with a choice between a colourful slide or a sandplay area (particularly those without attached water play), my observations are that children will choose the slide most of the time. I think there is the element of novelty in a slide, whereas more thinking is required about what could be done in a sandpit. We know that kids do enjoy playing with sand, but when offered something unusual, they will often investigate that first.

On top of the novelty factor, we also need to consider social dynamics.

Play supervised by adults is necessarily different to ‘free play’ between children. At early developmental stages the support of an adult is crucial to play. However, as children get older, their peers and the games they play between themselves become more important, not only to progress their engagement with the world but also to develop their identity and social skills.

When I was a child, there was a group of children from our street who would head out and play together, mostly in nature. Now, social structures have changed and it is rare to see kids out alone investigating the natural world on their own terms.

Coming back to the example of schools: school children have time, freedom and the involvement of their friends to investigate the environment of their school yard fully. As Helle Nebelong says, “Exploring nature takes time - lots of time - and children should have plenty of time to explore. Everything should not be demystified beforehand!”2.

I think, it is partly for this reason that facilitated nature play has become more popular and also more important.

Sessions that encourage children to look for mini-beasts in the dirt, make seed balls or treasure hunt for feathers or stones provide a spark that tells them nature is interesting and

engaging. Often such activities open the eyes of children and parents to the possibilities and affordances for play that surround us all the time. They remind us how to explore.

Besides any thinking about nature play, and even nature-based play, risk (whether perceived or genuine) also needs to be considered. If risk is defined as an activity where the outcome is unknown, then nature play certainly holds elements of risk; and not all parents, educators or organisations are comfortable with that. However, by allowing children to take some risks we provide them the opportunity to increase their physical competence and their confidence. Tree climbing is a classic example. Certainly a child may fall, but they may also be proud of achieving something difficult and develop important physical skills, determination and resilience. As one educator we spoke to recently said, “there is a tree for every child”; meaning that they will find something of a suitable level of challenge for themselves.

When designing or commissioning a playspace, think about what experiences and affordances you would prefer to offer. Given the imagination of children, it’s not possible to fully predict how a place will be played in. However, it’s about more than placing a few logs and rocks about and thinking that this will provide ‘nature play’. Think about the social dynamics, about acceptable levels of risk, about whether you wish to provide a memorable and novel experience, or a slower and more involved type of play.

REFERENCES 1 Cummins, E & Zamani, Z. How to Grow a Playspace: Design and Development, Chapter 4: Play Environments and Affordances. p37, Oxford, Routledge, Taylor and Francis, 2017.

2 Nebelong, H. How to Grow a Playspace: Design and Development, Chapter 11: The Natural Environment as Playspace. p105, Oxford, Routledge, Taylor and Francis, 2017.

Summer 2018 | AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE 11

Yanga Lake viewing deck

SWIMMING FREELY AN INITIATIVE TO RELEASE WATER INTO YANGA LAKE IS THE HELPING HAND NEEDED FOR THE NATIVE FISH POPULATION TO THRIVE WORDS DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY

H

undreds of thousands of native fish are being thrown a lifeline this month with the delivery of water to Tala and Yanga Lakes on the lower Murrumbidgee River in New South Wales.

The lakes are home to a massive number of juvenile golden perch following the largest recorded breeding event in the Murrumbidgee. Scientists estimate there could be half a million small perch in the lakes. The water will give these fish the chance to grow over the next few years and move out into the rivers, helping to repopulate the river system and significantly boost native fish numbers.

Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder Jody Swirepik said the lakes provide critical habitat for native fish in the Murrumbidgee region and Yanga National Park. It is a priority site to receive water during dry times, to ensure we don’t undo the gains made.

“As well as golden perch, these lakes are home to other native species such

as gudgeon, smelt, freshwater shrimp, frogs and turtles,” Jody says.

Supporting the health of Yanga Lake and the nearby Murrumbidgee River will help create economic value for local communities through improved tourism and recreational fishing. Yanga Lake is a huge drawcard for locals and tourists alike. It provides important recreational opportunities such as skiing, canoeing and fishing, as well as bird-watching.

The lakes attract waterbirds seeking refuge in the dry conditions.

As the water moves through Yanga National Park, it will support native plants, providing food and habitat for threatened species such as southern bell frogs, Australasian bitterns and the migratory sharp-tailed sandpipers. It will also release nutrients to provide food for the native fish we are working to protect.

There are very few sites receiving Commonwealth water for the environment, which is consistent with current drying conditions. However, it is important to ensure priority sites such

12 AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE | Summer 2018

as Yanga National Park are protected during dry times, to build resilience so native fish and other wildlife are ready to respond when the dry conditions ease.

The delivery of water is now underway using planned water for the environment. The Commonwealth Environmental Water Office and NSW Office of Environment and Heritage are working with NSW Department of Industry (Water) to maximise efficiency of the water delivery. This ensures greater environmental outcomes within the Lower Murrumbidgee, while minimising overall water use.

“We will only use as much water as the fish need. In doing so we will ensure we have enough water for the environment should dry times continue,” explains Jody.

The results of the delivery of water to Tala and Yanga Lakes will be closely monitored through the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office’s LongTerm Intervention Monitoring Program, led by Charles Sturt University.

USEFUL LINKS More information on Commonwealth environmental water use in the Murrumbidgee can be found at: www.environment.gov.au/water/ cewo/catchment/murrumbidgee/ portfolio-planning

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OCEAN PLASTICS HOW MUCH PLASTIC DOES IT TAKE TO KILL A TURTLE? WORDS FIONA BROWN, CSIRO MEDIA UNIT

F

or the first time, the risk that plastic pollution poses to the world’s declining sea turtle populations has been quantified.

An analysis of nearly 1000 turtles found dead and washed up on beaches around Australia has shown that the more plastic a turtle consumes the greater the likelihood that it was killed by that plastic. Previously, it was unclear as to whether the plastic in our oceans is actually killing sea turtles or whether they are simply ingesting it without significant harm.

“We knew that turtles were consuming a lot of plastic, but we didn’t know for certain whether that plastic actually caused the turtles’ deaths, or whether the turtles just

happened to have plastic in them when they died,” states Dr Chris Wilcox, principal research scientist with CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere.

“In other words, we wanted to know ‘How much plastic is too much plastic?’ for sea turtles.”

Scientists found that once a turtle had 14 plastic items in its gut there was a 50 percent likelihood that it would cause death. However, that’s not to say that a turtle won’t die if they consume less than 14 pieces of plastic. “Even a single piece of plastic can kill a turtle,” claims Dr Katy Townsend, lecturer in animal ecology at the University of the Sunshine Coast.

“Some of the turtles we studied had eaten only one piece of plastic, which

ITEMS RECOVERED FROM MARINE LIFE INCLUDE PLASTIC BAGS, HARD PLASTIC FRAGMENTS, BALLOONS, LOLLY WRAPPERS AND PIECES OF ROPE. WHEN THE LOAD WITHIN A SINGLE SEA TURTLE GETS OVER 100 PLASTIC ITEMS, THE PROBABILITY OF DEATH IS 100 PERCENT. 14 AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE | Summer 2018

was enough to kill it. In one case, the gut was punctured, and in the other, the soft plastic clogged the gut.”

Research shows that a turtle has a 22 percent chance of dying if it eats just one piece of plastic.

Sea turtles were among the first animals recorded to be ingesting plastic debris; a phenomenon that occurs in every region of the world and in all seven marine turtle species. Globally, it is estimated that approximately 52 percent of all sea turtles have eaten plastic. Determining the effect this is having on turtle mortality is a huge step toward understanding the impact of plastic pollution on global sea turtle populations.

“Millions of tonnes of plastic debris is entering our world’s oceans on a yearly basis,” says Dr Wilcox. “The model we’ve developed can be adapted to help us understand the impact of plastic ingestion on individuals and whole populations of other marine species.

“The better we understand the issue, the better equipped we are to address the problem, and work towards viable, scalable solutions.”

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Paekākāriki Escarpment Image Abbigail Bishop

BUILDING A TRAIL TO OUR FUTURE THE DEVELOPMENT OF TRACKS AND TRAILS ACROSS NEW ZEALAND OFFERS A VALUE PROPOSITION FOR INCREASED TOURISM WORDS WALKING ACCESS COMMISSION ARA HĪKOI AOTEAROA

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icole works at the Perching Parrot Café in Paekākāriki.

A couple of years ago her village changed completely.

“It’s not a sleepy little village anymore,” she says. The reason is the Paekākāriki Escarpment Track. Nicole’s café was already a successful business, but now it can be “stupid, crazy busy” she says. On sunny weekends it can be so busy that it’s bursting. Before visitors to the village start their walk along the Paekākāriki Escarpment Track they want coffee and muffins or sandwiches.

When they finish their trek, they want a glass of wine and a meal.

Opened in 2016, the Paekākāriki Escarpment Track is spectacular. Not just because it towers over the Tasman Sea but because it links two close but previously disconnected communities – Paekākāriki and Pukerua Bay. The story of this track is one of how tracks and trails are the economic, social and environmental future of our country. It starts with the volunteers at Ngā Ururoa – Kāpiti Project and grows to include many others, including Kiwirail, local councils and, nationally, Te Araroa Trust.

The Paekākāriki track cost $1.4 million dollars to put into effect, but in its short life it has already drawn over a hundred thousand visitors.

It has become one of the top places locals recommend when asked by visiting friends what they should see while in Wellington.

Last year the trail had about 40,000 visitors. That’s not bad when you understand Paekākāriki and Pukerua Bay each have populations of under 2000. These thousands of walkers are particularly big news for the Paekākāriki shops and cafes, not to mention the trains, because most visitors walk the trail one way and use the train at the other end to get back to where they started.

What makes the trail special is not just the spectacular views, or the two dizzying 40-metre swing bridges, or the Māori archaeological sites, it is the small things. People can get to it easily by public transport. It connects two small communities. It enhances and protects its surrounding environment. It builds a sense of community and pride in the people nearby; those people that build and care for the track and who see how it links them to their environment, to tourists and to nearby communities.

Tracks and trails are New Zealand’s most prominent and successful links between the environment and recreation and tourism. If we care for our tracks and trails right, and expand them into a network that links New Zealanders, we will build an environmental and tourism

16 AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE | Summer 2018

legacy that defines the type of country we want to be.

Early this year, when we published our South Island High Country Access Report, we said our goal needs to be creating connections, turning our hundreds of isolated tracks into a network of trails.

New Zealand is full of great organisations and individuals doing amazing work creating and maintaining tracks and trails. As well as hundreds of small community groups of volunteers who get out there on the weekend with their spades and trimmers, there are dozens of local councils, the Department of Conservation, trusts and private tourism operators. That means though, that there are too many places to look for information, which is not always reliable or complete.

We need to connect these groups more closely. The millions of tourists, trampers, cyclists, hunters and anglers, and families that pass over our tracks and trails each year don’t care who owns them or maintains them, they simply want connections. Connections to where they are going, connections to good infrastructure, connections to nature, and connections to other like-minded people. But to make those connections we need infrastructure.

We need carparks. We need public

Paekākāriki Escarpment Images Asher Wilson-Goldman

transport that gets people to the start of tracks. We need toilets and signs and maps and shelters.

Unlike the Paekākāriki Escarpment track, many of our most beautiful tracks are not near a big city. They rely on very small communities with a small ratepayer base to maintain them.

We often hear that our tourist hubs are bursting at the seams Queenstown and its surrounding attractions does not have the infrastructure or space to take more people - so it is important to recognise that we have beautiful spots and the potential for amazing attractions in regions all over New Zealand.

With good infrastructure, numbers become less of an issue. Thousands of people with no toilets on a track is a huge issue; but if you build a sufficient toilet block those visitors can be easily accommodated. There’s always going to be limits to how many people a track can handle, so infrastructure is the key to extending that limit, protecting the environment and getting the most benefit for the local community.

As an example, outsiders are often quick to declare the West Coast a dying region, but Steve White from the Charleston-Westport Coastal Trails Trust disagrees. His trust is helping build Kawatiri Coastal Trail. He has a study that shows that, when built, the trail could bring $5 million a year into the local economy.

When it opens in 2020, the Kawatiri Coast Trail will be a 50km cycling and walking trail that will hopefully carry over 8000 cyclists a year and tens of thousands of walkers. It will showcase stunning scenery, including seals, penguins, weka and kiwi, and feature

WHAT MAKES THE TRAIL SPECIAL IS NOT JUST THE SPECTACULAR VIEWS OR THE TWO DIZZYING 40-METRE SWING BRIDGES, IT IS THE SMALL THINGS. IT BUILDS A SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND PRIDE IN THE PEOPLE NEARBY.

significant Māori history dating back over 800 years - including part of the ancient Māori West Coast Pounamu trail. The trail will follow the historic gold rush route from Westport to Charleston.

“People displaced by mining can start their own little businesses,” says Steve.

“This trail will support 100 jobs a year as well as providing crucial social and health benefits.”

To succeed it needs infrastructure.

But when it does succeed the small region of Buller will have an amazing, enduring asset that enhances their environment, brings jobs and visitors, and links their towns to each other and to the world.

This track also provides an opportunity for us on a national scale, allowing us to spread our tourism more evenly among our regions.

Politically, this year may be the year for tracks and trails to step into the sunshine. The Finance Minister and Treasury have been working hard this past year to develop the Government’s new Living Standards Framework. This framework will measure the value of things, not just by their contribution to gross domestic product but by four capitals: human, social, natural, and financial/physical.

Tracks and trails like the Escarpment Track and the Kawatiri Coastal Trail sit at the nexus of the four capitals that Treasury will use to measure wellbeing. It will look at these tracks and trails and see them supporting

and protecting our natural capital, including the environment. Treasury will see growth in our human capital through improvements to recreation and preventative healthcare (mental and physical), and see growth in our social capital, including connecting communities.

Finally, it will see growth in our physical capital through the development of enduring assets like tracks and trails.

Our role as people in the recreation, education and environment space is to make sure that we are putting in place the infrastructure and planning we need for communities to benefit from our tracks and trails. We need all the good work people are doing on the trails to connect to a bigger plan that includes tourism infrastructure, promotion, access to and from, and environmental stewardship.

Summer 2018 | AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE 17

THE COST OF DROWNING THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL IMPACT OF DROWNING AND THE ROADMAP TO A MORE ROBUST WATER SAFETY SECTOR WORDS BEN CHRISTIE, WATER SAFETY NEW ZEALAND

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ew Zealanders and visitors to this country love recreating in our beautiful waterways, but when water safety knowledge and behaviour is lacking, too many people are paying for it with their lives.

Drowning is the leading cause of recreational death, the second highest cause of death for 1–24 year olds1, and the third highest cause of accidental death in New Zealand.

Research conducted by Water Safety New Zealand2 (WSNZ) shows that while drowning is recognised as a problem by 84 percent of New Zealanders, it is fifth in importance behind child abuse, domestic violence, road safety and bullying.

Millions of people in this country enjoy recreating in, on and around water. As an island nation, our beaches, rivers and lakes are some of the most magnificent in the world. A moderate climate, accessible waterways and public and residential pools provide ample opportunities for Kiwis, immigrants and tourists alike to recreate and participate in water sports and activities and go boating and fishing year round. But with any body of water comes risk. Sadly, every year far too many people lose their lives or are injured in, on or around the water.

The tragedy is that most fatal drownings and drowning related injuries are preventable. Preventable drowning fatalities are where a water safety intervention could have had an influence (for example where the victim was boating, swimming, diving) and water safety education and activity could have prevented the death.

In 2017 there were 92 preventable drowning fatalities. This is an increase of 10-12 percent compared to 2016 (82). The five year average (2012–2016) is 79. While male drownings continue to dominate, eight more females fatally drowned in 2017. Almost a third of fatalities in the 15–24 year age group were female, the highest female toll in that age group in 35 years.

Immersion incidents, where the victims had no intention of being in the water, is the largest cause of drowning fatalities, with 34 deaths in 2017. The most dangerous recreational activity is swimming, with 15 lives lost. Powered boating follows with 14 fatalities, and underwater activities next with 12.

The most dangerous environment for drowning fatalities is offshore (19). All of these were male and 53 percent were aged between 35–54 years. Beaches were second with 16, and rivers third with

18 AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE | Summer 2018

15 (five of the river fatalities were female).

Auckland, being the largest population centre and an international gateway for tourists visiting this country, had the highest number of fatalities in 2017 with 24. This was followed by Bay of Plenty with 12, Canterbury nine and Northland eight.

Per 100,000 of the population, the West Coast has the highest preventable fatal drowning rate at 16.5.

New Zealand’s drowning rate is twice that of Australia and four times that of the UK (per 100,000).

Every preventable fatal drowning leaves a family and community devastated. Over the past ten years the cost of drowning deaths and injuries to New Zealand is in the order of $4.79 billion.

The New Zealand Water Safety Sector Strategy 2020 set bold targets for a reduction in drownings, particularly for male and under-five-year-old drownings and all hospitalisations. This strategy represents a shared vision, aims and intent for the water safety sector, with all sector agencies committed to working together on the plan. WSNZ and the wider water safety sector are committed to turning around this country’s high drowning rate.

This year WSNZ invested $2.2M in drowning prevention through two separate funds. The Drowning Prevention Fund, which supports projects that deliver interventions that make a difference to New Zealand’s drowning toll, and the Water Safety Research Fund, which supports research projects that make a contribution to meeting the water safety sector’s unmet knowledge needs.

The priority for the Drowning Prevention Fund is Water Skills for Life.

This was created to address dropping levels of aquatic education and create a basic standard that is taught to every New Zealand primary school student.

With the Water Safety Research Fund, WSNZ invests in organisations and projects that demonstrate a strong drowning prevention rationale and are aligned to the high-risk priority areas identified in the Water Safety Sector Strategy 2020.

Attitudes and behaviour change campaigns are a priority for WSNZ. Currently two campaigns are underway.

One targets males 15–34 years and utilises the Swim Reaper character as an anti-hero. The other targets parents of under-fives and promotes supervision.

Maori drowning prevention remains a priority. WSNZ has refreshed Kia Maanu, Kia Ora (Stay Afloat, Stay Alive) and is working in partnership with Maori

advisors. Work is also underway on three regional water safety strategies in Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty to engage local communities to lead drowning prevention strategies.

WSNZ continues to build effective working relationships with local government across New Zealand, so a coordinated approach to drowning prevention can take place. However, the current social and economic cost of drowning remains too high. It has become clear that business as usual for the sector is not sustainable. The current setup is showing signs of strain and is not geared to cope with the growing demands being put on it.

New Zealand has a diverse and rapidly growing population, an expansive network of unpatrolled waterways, beaches, lakes and rivers, and high participation rates across a broad range of water-based activities. To address this wider issue the sector must be willing to embrace change so that it is fit-forpurpose and sustainable into the future.

A sector capability review was undertaken in 2017, and based on the findings a range of potential actions have been identified. These form the basis of the Water Safety Sector Capability Plan. The priority action being the need to secure sustainable funding streams

for water safety sector organisations.

Most are under financial stress, and, for the main agencies, maintaining financial viability is their key day-to-day management challenge. As a result, the need to secure operational funding takes priority over capability development.

Without long term sustainable financial security the sector is not going to be able to look at meaningful capability development in the near future. This could result in a reduction in coverage of frontline drowning prevention services in parts of New Zealand. It will also mean that any new or extra demand is unlikely to be met.

Positive engagement with sector monitoring agencies to address this is just getting underway. The essence of local community ownership and identity is important, balanced with the needs for greater efficiency and collaboration. This will inform the development of the Water Safety Sector Strategy beyond 2020 and the creation of a robust, highly efficient and sustainable water safety sector.

REFERENCES 1 Child and Youth Mortality report Committee: 13th data report 2012-16 2 WSNZ Attitudes and Behaviour survey 2018

Summer 2018 | AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE 19

Blue Mountains National Park

DISCOVER YOUR HIDDEN GEMS DISCOVER THE BENEFITS OF TRAIL EXPERIENCES IN PROMOTING TRAFFIC TO SOME OF AUSTRALIA’S LESSER KNOWN TOURIST DESTINATIONS WORDS NEIL TREDWELL, TREDWELL MANAGEMENT SERVICES

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ustralia is known for its unique experiences, jaw dropping landscapes, dynamic events, tasty fresh food and rich cultural history; some found well off the beaten track.

Tourism Australia’s latest campaign UnDiscover Australia seeks to draw attention and increase visitation to some of our country’s less obvious but equally intriguing visitor attractions. A celebration of our hidden gems and the development of high-quality trail experiences are a key component of the campaign.

Trails provide an ideal opportunity to explore these destinations and attractions in your own way, whether this be quietly meandering around a country town immersing yourself in unique history, jogging through an abundance of natural wonders, riding with your friends and family through spectacular landscapes, or paddling along a mighty river.

Through high-quality trail provision, the increase in tourism visitations

for a region can be substantial, and showcasing these unique experiences to the wider world can bring to a community immeasurable pride and measurable economic benefits, such as local business growth, new startups and job creation. Through the provision of interesting and challenging trail networks there is the potential to attract new visitor markets, generating the associated benefits of tourism for local communities.

“Tourism is now playing a bigger and more significant part in trail development, as visitors – both international and domestic – look for interesting, challenging and unique experiences as part of their holidays and travels.” - WA Trail Blueprint The identification, planning and development of high-quality trail networks that showcase the hidden gems in your local community can greatly assist in growing the local visitor economy and benefit local businesses, including cafes, shops, tour operators

20 AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE | Summer 2018

and accommodation providers.

Through Tredwell’s trail planning work across Australia over the past 15 years, we have had the opportunity to capture some of these hidden gems and integrate them with associated highquality trail experiences.

There are many hidden gems, natural and built, cultural and infamous, that make up Australia’s history that are found in and connected with regional Australia. These are ideal opportunities to integrate a well-planned and welldesigned trail network and experience to showcase these attractions and encourage people from intrastate, interstate and overseas to visit and experience local communities both small and large.

Tredwell has recently seen firsthand how this can play out, during our work with the West Wimmera Shire Council in Western Victoria on the creation of their Recreational Trails Strategy. While auditing the trails in the area, we were amazed to discover that the local town of Harrow is home to the Johnny Mullagh Interpretive Centre, which tells the story of the Australian Aboriginal cricket team that toured England in 1868 (Australia’s first international cricket team). The members of this team originated from the Wotjobaluk country in the West Wimmera region of Victoria.

The locals and devoted cricket fans may have known about this hidden sporting gem, but it is likely many

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KEY LEARNINGS Every community has its own unique story to tell. Identify your hidden gems.

Trails are a great way of discovering hidden gems and connecting with well-known attractions and visitor services.

There is a need for collaborative planning to ensure a trail delivers the expected benefits and provides a high-quality experience.

A high-quality trail network will add value to local communities and contribute an increase in economic development.

Trails offer the opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in a community.

other people didn’t. That changed earlier this year when Cricket Australia commemorated the 150th anniversary of the team becoming the nation’s first sporting team to tour internationally and the first Australian cricket team to tour England. Festivities included a local celebration, and Cricket Australia sent male and female Aboriginal XI squads to England to play a series of matches against local County teams at some of the grounds that hosted the original team 150 years ago.

When Cricket Australia posted a video online in May about the members of the 2018 Aboriginal XI squads travelling to England to celebrate this important milestone, it got nearly 10,000 views and over 100 shares.

Cricket Australia has around 800,000 people following their Facebook site, which is no small fan base! This presents an enormous potential-visitor market who have an interest in cricket

West Wimmera Cricket Trail/Harrow Discovery Centre

and could potentially travel to Harrow and the West Wimmera region to traverse the cricket trail and visit the discovery centre to learn more about this great Australian story.

The West Wimmera Trails Strategy identifies further enhancement of the West Wimmera Cricket Trail as a priority project by linking it with distinctive trail experiences and other recreational activities at key sites in the region, and by widely promoting the trail and the unique historical connection via printed brochures/maps, online content and on-ground signage.

Another good example of a community in which Tredwell has created world-class trail experiences based on hidden gems includes the Blue Mountains. Tredwell developed an initial feasibility assessment and trail development plan in collaboration with the local Council and community for the creation of the Great Blue Mountains Trail.

The Blue Mountains is one of the most visited regions in Australia, but most visitors spend on average one or two days there and only visit the key attractions such as the Three Sisters and Scenic World. The aim of the project was to develop a multi-use trail that connects Leura, Katoomba, Blackheath and Mount York and passes not only through the iconic attractions but also links the unique townships of the area, thereby introducing the visitor (and locals for that matter) to a range of hidden gems not featured on most people’s itineraries.

In East Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, Tredwell developed an overall recreation and open space plan for the Nhulunbuy Township, which resulted in the Nhulunbuy Walk Trail Network being identified as a priority project by

22 AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE | Summer 2018

the community. The town had relied heavily on the local mining industry for its economic prosperity, however with the curtailment of the mine several years ago and the increasing popularity of the town as an off the beaten track tourism experience, a need for improvement to the visitor experience was identified.

A Trail Development Plan was created that incorporated five themed loop trails that captured the iconic attractions throughout the town. This included the Roy Marika Lookout at the top of Nhulun (Mount Saunders) and a Yolnu sacred site with uninterrupted panoramic views. Roy Marika, who the lookout was named after, was instrumental in the establishment of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act in the Northern Territory; Australia’s first land rights legislation. The trail network construction is due to be completed by the end of 2018 and will provide a selection of high-quality unique trail experiences for all levels and abilities.

There are a number of important components to planning and designing these trails, including collaborating with local communities through trail user groups, tourism organisations, local businesses, land owners and managers, local Councils and relevant state agencies, to identify a community’s hidden gem/s. These could be untapped natural wonders, amazing views, beautiful landscapes, inspiring locals and interesting built facilities.

There is also a need to clearly determine the trail’s purpose, alignment and design, and create trails that are interesting, fun to use, offer challenges for all abilities, link local attractions and visitor services (accommodation, food/ beverage and transport providers) and are ultimately attractive to visitors.

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Common Wombat

THE SECRET LIFE OF WOMBATS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT WOMBAT CONFERENCE IN 20 YEARS BROUGHT EXPERTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD TO SA TO UNEARTH THE SECRET LIFE OF WOMBATS WORDS ANDREW SPENCE

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n September 2018, a three-day conference at the University of Adelaide, Wombats Through Time and Space, coincided with the 20th anniversary of the release of the definitive book on wombats, which has become known among researchers as the Wombat bible.

Conference convener and PhD candidate Mike Swinbourne from the University of Adelaide’s School of Biological Sciences, said a great deal of additional research into the nocturnal marsupials had been compiled since 1998 when the book first came out. “I suggested we should update the book, so I was given the job of organising the conference,” explains Swinbourne.

There are three species of wombats: Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombat; Common Wombat; and the Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat, which disappeared rapidly after the introduction of sheep, cattle

and rabbits into Australia, due to competition for grass, and is a critically endangered species.

Swinbourne states all three species of wombats have undergone significant changes in the past 20 years. He notes advances in technology such as high-resolution satellite imagery and motion-activated cameras have played a significant role in advancing wombat research.

“An outbreak of mange in Common Wombats has gotten much worse in recent years, while the effective control of rabbits has led to steady growth in the population of the Southern HairyNosed Wombat, and that’s having an impact on the agricultural sector,” Swinbourne claims.

“Twenty years ago there were only 35 Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombats left.

There’s been quite an intense recovery program in place and now numbers are up to about 240.”

24 AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE | Summer 2018

Wombats and koalas share a common ancestor called the Diprotodon – the largest known marsupial. The Diprotodon was larger than a cow and roamed Australia approximately 1.6 million and 45,000 years ago.

The modern wombat is similar in stature to a solidly-built medium-sized dog and has cubed-shaped droppings.

Although wombats only live in the wild in Australia, the curious marsupials can be found at more than 90 zoos around the world, where they are perennial favourites.

“If you’ve ever been up close with a wombat, they are one of those animals that you fall in love with. They’ve got great personalities, they’re friendly and playful, they roll on their back so you can scratch their belly, they’re almost like a dog,” says Swinbourne.

“Conversely, there’s the farming community, who don’t necessarily like them very much, so there’s a diverse range of opinions about them,” he adds.

Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombats are found in South Australia and parts of Western Australia, while Common Wombats live mainly in Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania and the south east of South Australia. The endangered Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat is only found in small pockets of Queensland.

South Australia is home to 90

Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat

percent of Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombats, which Swinbourne predicts have reached their highest numbers since the population started to decline with the introduction of destructive sheep, cattle and European rabbits to Australia in the late 19th Century.

Held in Adelaide from 17-19 September, the Wombats Through Time and Space conference featured over 60 delegates and 35 speakers, including researchers, zookeepers, wombat carers and farmers.

The international speakers included a metabarcoding expert from Arizona, a wombat lover from Washington DC who checks on the marsupials at zoos around the world, and a researcher from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland who has helped map the genome of the Common Wombat.

Wombats live underground, often in remote areas, and are most active at night, making them difficult to research in the wild.

“Wombats have been here almost forever, but no one really started to study them in depth until the 1970s,” says Swinbourne. “There’s still a great deal we need to learn, but we’ve really started to ramp up the research recently because we now have tools we didn’t have in the past.”

Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombat

Summer 2018 | AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE 25

Figure 1 The consultation approach to Everyone Can Play in NSW

EVERYONE CAN PLAY IN NSW A GUIDELINE FOR THE CREATION OF INCLUSIVE PLAYSPACES ACROSS NSW WORDS FIONA MORRISON, COMMISSIONER OPEN SPACE AND PARKLANDS, OFFICE OF OPEN SPACE AND PARKLANDS

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layspaces that offer joy, challenge and a sense of community for all. This statement sounds reasonable, responsible, and is the minimum that all playspace planners, designers and managers should aim for.

And yet, for many families across NSW, places that offer these three things are too few and far between.

While many councils across NSW are creating amazing inclusive playspaces that offer nature and water play, play equipment to challenge and excite, and landscapes where children and their carers can create memories that last a lifetime, the NSW Government is committed to ensuring that more families have access to playspaces like

26 AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE | Summer 2018

these, where everyone can play.

In October 2017, the NSW Government created the Office of Open Space and Parklands (OOSP) within the NSW Department of Planning and Environment. One of the first actions the Office was tasked with was to support the creation of more inclusive playspaces across NSW. In November 2017, Minister for Planning and Housing, Anthony Roberts declared a Guideline would be created that would assist all those involved in the planning, design, management and construction of playspaces to make decisions that would not inadvertently exclude, but would allow people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to play.

From the outset, the OOSP wanted to ensure that the Guideline would be created collaboratively, with people who design and build playspaces for our community, and would be informed by people who see inclusion through a variety of lenses.

The first step toward the creation of the draft Everyone Can Play in NSW Guideline was planning a consultative process that would challenge current thinking, while establishing a robust and useable tool for NSW. A radial concept of consultation was established, where the OOSP’ team could draw on the knowledge and experience of a wide range of people and pull these learnings into the Guideline’s framework and principles (See Figure 1).

The Project Team, which consisted of Aecom, Being Brands and the Office of Open Space and Parklands, had the technical experience in playspace design and planning from many perspectives, as well as the skills to translate technical information into words that would stimulate thinking

A NEW COMMITMENT FOR INCLUSIVE PLAYSPACES IN NSW Our society is incredibly diverse, made up of people of all ages, abilities and cultures. In our communities we have playspaces for adventure, discovery, relationship building, and memory making. But there is more we can do to ensure the playspaces we create are designed to bring people together.

Play is for everyone. Our playspaces should be too. Playspaces exist at the heart of our neighbourhoods and should cater to everyone – young and old, families and carers, and people of all abilities. Playspaces should be welcoming and comfortable, easy to navigate, and interesting. They should offer a range of physical challenges, a variety of landscape settings to explore, and they should provide opportunities to connect with others. Let’s ensure Everyone Can Play in NSW.

and inspire action across NSW. The Project Team collaborated for nine months to differentiate, understand and acknowledge the feedback from the various levels of consultation and embed these learnings into the draft Guideline.

The Project Team identified early on that over the years an industry language defining playspaces where everyone can play has varied and evolved. As an industry, we have used terms like accessible playgrounds, adaptive play, intergenerational playgrounds, specialneeds playgrounds and all-abilities playgrounds. However, with the Minister’s announcement, the focus for NSW has now centred on inclusive playspaces. We wanted to ensure the basis of this focus was informed by industry experts, people who are working in the fields of universal design, and by people who have the responsibility for creating playspaces across NSW. The Everyone Can Play Advocacy Group was established to provide direction and expertise to the Project Team from the beginning of the project.

The purpose of the Advocacy Group was to lead and steer the development of a guideline for NSW that was workable and realistic, that would lead to the creation of better playspaces for all people in our community. This group was encouraged to challenge, critique and question the work of the Project Team, while presenting new approaches, ideas and innovations to the current approach to inclusive play design and provision.

Figure 2 Breakdown of professions and backgrounds of the Advisory Group

Progress was being made but we wanted more testing of the ideas and principles the Project Team and the Advocacy Group were formulating. We wanted a wider audience that could examine, evaluate and provide comment on the progress that was being made.

The Advisory Group was established through an expression of interest process that was extended to all local governments across NSW, as well as landscape architects and designers. This was complemented with an invitation to educators, play equipment manufacturers, professional organisations and non-government organisations. The response was overwhelming and we established a diverse group of 57 people, including 14 representatives from Regional NSW. (See Figure 2).

Over four workshop meetings, the Advisory Group reviewed the evolution of the Guideline, testing whether ideas and principles were being effectively communicated, how useable the Guideline was, and how successfully it could be implemented in the future.

The feedback we gained during these sessions was used to influence the final drafting of the Guideline.

The workshop sessions with the Advisory Group were filled with passion, purpose and a willingness to create a document that would assist people across NSW in understanding the importance of inclusion and guide them through planning, designing and delivering inclusion in playspaces.

The environment during these sessions facilitated a free flow of ideas and encouraged respectful conversation, challenges and debate.

Connections were made between professionals who were all striving to create great places for the community, and in the process a new professional network of inclusive-play champions was established across NSW.

Since the launch of the draft Everyone Can Play in NSW Guideline on 8 August 2018, the discussion around inclusive play moved into the next phase of engagement, and consultation with the broader community of NSW began.

Over a three-week period, the Everyone Can Play in NSW Roadshow travelled to ten locations across the state. Led by the OOSP, we met with local community groups and staff, Councillors and Mayors from local councils, and we learnt more about the opportunities and hardships they faced when creating inclusive playspaces.

We were privileged to witness people from across NSW come together and share their experiences and knowledge freely and openly. Most importantly, we listened to their feedback and we are now incorporating this as we work towards finalising the Guideline.

The finalisation of the Everyone Can Play in NSW Guideline will not be the end of this project. Throughout the whole process, we have seen the desire and willingness of people to share their experiences and learn more about inclusive playspaces. We will continue to talk to and work with stakeholders and the community to build a toolkit and promote case studies that inspire the creation of more playspaces where Everyone Can Play in NSW!

Summer 2018 | AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE 27

Aqua fitness at Gympie ARC

AQUATIC FACILITY OF THE YEAR THIS YEAR’S ALFAQ AWARDS HONOURED QUEENSLAND’S BEST AND BRIGHTEST IN AQUATICS WITH A CELEBRATION OF OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT

T

he Australian Leisure Facilities Association Queensland (ALFAQ) Awards, held as part of the Swimming Pool & Spa Association of Australia Gala Dinner during the Splash! Pool and Spa Trade Show at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in August, celebrates outstanding achievement in the operation of aquatic facilities across Queensland.

Taking out top honours, the Gympie Aquatic Recreation Centre (Gympie ARC), one of Queensland’s newest community aquatic facilities, was awarded the Jonas Leisure Facility of the Year Award at this year’s event.

Gympie ARC pipped finalists Miami Aquatic Centre and last year’s winner Milne Bay Aquatic and Fitness Centre to take out the award, which was accepted by Courtney Murphy, Gympie

ARC Centre Manager.

Bryn Whales, Jonas Leisure Sales Manager, who was on the ALFAQ Awards judging panel, said the award recognised best practice in the operation of aquatic facilities. “The overall design, layout and facilities on offer at Gympie ARC are of an incredibly high calibre.

“Their approach to working with the community, clever marketing campaigns, and a strong focus on recruitment of staff and ongoing training have seen impressive community buy-in to the facility.

This can be seen in the uptake of the impressive suite of programs on offer.”

Despite Gympie ARC’s impressive credentials, Mr Whales said selecting the winner was no easy task. “The quality of the nominations for Facility of the Year Award was outstanding. Each

28 AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE | Summer 2018

of the finalists can be very proud of what they’re achieving.

“Jonas Leisure is pleased to support the ALFAQ Facility of the Year Award and to recognise the great work that is happening in leisure and aquatics facilities across Queensland.”

Gympie ARC opened in March 2017 and is one of more than 110 aquatic, sport, health and wellness facilities across Australia and New Zealand managed by leisure management provider Belgravia Leisure.

It was a successful night for Belgravia Leisure, with Queensland State Manager Dan Cullen picking up Gympie ARC

The Splash Park water play zone at Gympie ARC

the Orimatech Award for Excellence, which recognises outstanding levels of individual career achievement.

Mr Cullen was recognised for his contribution to numerous facilities, his organisation, the community and the industry over the past 20 years.

Mr Whales said Mr Cullen was well-regarded among his peers for his commitment to team and staff development and his involvement in a wide range of charity events. “During his career, Mr Cullen has had considerable influence on the improvement of many

of Queensland’s aquatic facilities. He has achieved a lot for the industry and it’s a pleasure to be able to recognise that.”

ALFAQ President, Dan Kwaczynski, said the awards were an important part of recognising the enthusiasm, hard work and professionalism of those who worked in Queensland’s leisure and aquatics industries. “There are so many great people working across leisure and aquatics facilities in Queensland, achieving great things. It’s fantastic to have a formal channel to support and acknowledge that contribution.”

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Summer 2018 | AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE 29

FLAWED UV ADVICE FOR OUTDOOR PURSUITS ARE WE FULLY COVERED? RESEARCH INDICATES A NEW LEVEL OF UVI INDICATOR IS NEEDED FOR MORE EFFECTIVE SUN PROTECTION WORDS RICHARD L MCKENZIE1 & ROBYN LUCAS2

I

t turns out that some of the advice we’ve been getting about UV protection is not quite right, and that incorrect advice is particularly important for people involved in recreational pursuits that include extended periods outdoors.

We are currently advised that “no protection” is needed on days when the peak UVI is less than 3 “unless you are outdoors for extended periods or near reflective surfaces such as snow” (Cancer Council Victoria). “Extended periods” is not defined – but it may be less than you think. Our recent study (available for unrestricted access at https://rdcu.be/6HQf) shows that on days when the UVI is less than 3, the total UV dose can greatly exceed that needed to cause visible damage (erythema - skin reddening) by a factor of 5 or more for fair skin.

Indeed, there are very few days in the year on which there is not enough UV over the day to cause sunburn to fair skin. When the UVI is 3, visible damage to fair skin can occur in about an hour – hardly an “extended period”! The message of “no protection required” when the peak UVI is less than 3 should be removed from public advisories. Sun protection should be used if you are outdoors for an hour or more even in the middle of winter or when it doesn’t seem to be sunny at all.

It’s true that daily UV doses can be much higher on days when the UVI exceeds 3 (they can exceed the threshold for skin damage by a factor of 30 in mid-summer), and advice to protect is even more important then.

But for much of Australia, and nearly all of New Zealand, about 10 percent of the total annual dose of UV occurs on

days when the peak UVI is less than 3.

So, if we follow the current advice on those days, we can get sunburned and thereby increase our risk of skin cancer.

What is important to note is that the risk of sunburn is not just about UVI, but also depends on how long you will be outdoors in the sun.

To make sensible decisions on sun exposure, you need to know how the UVI will vary over the day. For New Zealanders and Australians, the best way to get this information is by using the uv2Day app, which is available at no cost for both iPhone and android smartphones. The app includes the effects of clouds and also provides information on the exposure time for the current UVI that would lead to visible damage (erythema – skin reddening) to fair skin. That is, the time to receive 1 Minimum Erythemal Dose (MED).

Figure 1 Screenshots from uv2Day for early spring in southern New Zealand (Lauder, 25 Sept 2018). The first row shows forecasts including cloud effects, while the second row shows clear-sky forecasts. The first column shows the daily summary. The second shows UVI values and corresponding behavioural messages for the current time and for the peak. The third column shows the daily progression of UVI, while the blue curve shows the cumulative dose in MEDs (right axis). Symbols are plotted at intervals of 1 MED to give an indication.

30 AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE | Summer 2018

In light of the new knowledge from our paper, the app is being updated. It will no longer advise that no protection is needed whenever the UVI is less than 3. That advice is now given only on days when the total UV dose over the day is forecast to be less than 1 MED. The app also includes information on how many MEDs there will be over the day and the time by which the first MED has been received. If notifications are enabled, this information, along with UVI information, is included in a daily text.

Examples are shown in the screen shots supplied. The first examples (Figure 1) are from a spring day at Lauder, in the south of New Zealand.

The peak UVI forecast is only 2.4, but the daily dose is more than 5 MEDs (5 sun-burning doses for a fair-skinned person). So, despite the peak UVI being less than the UV alert threshold, sunburn can still occur. If the day had been clear, the peak UVI would have been 3.4 and the daily dose would have exceeded 7 MED. The other examples, from Auckland, Brisbane and Cairns (Figure 2), demonstrate the variation in UVI over a day (25 Sept 2018) and how this varies greatly according to location. This variation results mainly from differences in how high the sun is in the sky.

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Figure 2 Screenshots from uv2Day showing the variation of clear sky UVI on 25 September 2018 for Auckland, Brisbane, and Cairns.

On the same day, at the progressively lower latitudes of Auckland, Brisbane or Cairns, the sun gets progressively much higher in the sky. As a result, the peak UVI increases markedly and the total dose of sun-burning UV far exceeds that for erythema. In the example shown for Cairns, there are more than 25 MEDs in the day. During the summer months, the peak UVI exceeds 10 even in the southernmost tip of New Zealand and can exceed 16 in Northern Australia, and the daily dose of UV can exceed 25 MED anywhere in Australia or New Zealand.

The main point we make in the paper is that decisions around sun

exposure cannot just be based on a less than or greater than 3 UVI value.

Your sun-protection behaviour should depend on the UVI as well as how long you will be in the sun. For exposures of longer than 3 hours, protection is needed even if the mean UVI is only 1. The threshold for sunburn for a fairskinned person (1 MED) is exceeded virtually every day in Australia, and just about every day even in the south of New Zealand, including the winter months. It therefore makes sense to get into the habit of applying sunscreen daily, especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors.

AUTHORS 1 Richard L McKenzie: National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research (NIWA), Lauder, New Zealand 2 Robyn Lucas: National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University (ANU), Canberra, Australia.

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Summer 2018 | AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE 31

TAKING COMMUNITIES ALONG FOR THE RIDE HOW WELLINGTON CITY COUNCIL WORKED WITH THE MOUNTAIN BIKING COMMUNITY TO CREATE A MASTERPLAN FOR THE CITY’S PREMIER MOUNTAIN BIKE PARK WORDS IAIN FEIST, MAKARA PEAK SUPPORTERS GROUP & MIKE OATES, WELLINGTON CITY COUNCIL

S

ince it was established in 1998, Makara Peak Mountain Bike Park has benefited from a positive, constructive relationship between Wellington City Council and the Makara Peak Supporters Group.

The Council provides funding for track development and manages track maintenance, while the Supporters Group organises volunteer track builds, carries out revegetation planting and pest control, and raises funds for improvements. In addition, it manages the Makara Peak website and organises and manages events and activities. The relationship between the two parties is managed under a memorandum of understanding (MOU) by the Park Ranger responsible for Makara Peak.

The park comprises 250 hectares of regenerating native forest and 45 kilometres of mountain bike priority tracks. While the park has grown in popularity – annual visits are now over 100,000 – it has also become more complex; most tracks are built by hand,

with no comprehensive site strategy to guide the development of the network.

The Council and Supporters Group agreed that a masterplan was needed to provide a framework under which the future management and development of Makara Peak could take place. With the community already deeply invested in the site, it was vital the Council took a collaborative approach from the start.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT The project was managed as a collaborative process between the Supporters Group and the Council, starting with inclusion of the Supporters Group on the evaluation panel to appoint the consultant.

The consultant appointed, Trails

by Dafydd Davis, has international experience of mountain bike park development and tested both partners with new ideas and opportunities.

This sparked a positive creative energy between the three parties.

32 AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE | Summer 2018

The project team comprised two members from each group and developed some broad principles to work by: • All information is shared (subject to any privacy provisions attached to submissions) • Decisions are to be made by consensus • All engagement activities and workshops are to be jointly run The goal of the masterplan was to establish objectives and principles to inform park management over a 10-year period and prioritise future development of the track network and other park facilities. It would inform the asset management plan for the park and enable funds to be prioritised through the Council’s 2018–2028 Long-term Plan. It did not require formal Council approval, but local councillors were kept informed of the project and attended the workshops.

The process to develop the masterplan involved the following over

a period of about 12 months: 1. Early engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, including a series of design workshops to develop a frame of reference for the masterplan 2. Development of a draft masterplan 3. Consultation on the masterplan 4. Analysis of submissions and preparation of a final plan plus an implementation plan

A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH The Council and Supporters Group brought different and complementary skills and resources to the table. The Supporters Group dedicated hundreds of volunteer hours to the project, providing a wide range of skills.

The Council provided funds for the consultants and a project coordinator.

True collaboration and communityled engagement required the Council to share decision making and show trust in the Supporters Group, who in turn had to show trust in the Council.

Implementation of the plan was always subject to future Council funding through their Long-term Plan. The Supporters Group accepted this risk as part of its involvement. Funding for the implementation of the masterplan was finally approved through the Long-term

Plan in June 2018.

With a collaborative approach, the discussion shifted from a council– stakeholder conversation to a community–led conversation, with the Council acting as facilitator when required. The shift to a community conversation provided legitimacy to the process within the mountain biking and wider community.

There were difficult conversations about the future of the park and priorities for development. These conversations took place within the community.

The final plan is owned by the mountain bike community and, in particular, the Makara Peak Supporters Group.

LESSONS FOR NEXT TIME Developing a joint communications and engagement plan at the start of the project would mean our respective roles and responsibilities were established from the outset. This would have included a mechanism to resolve issues that proved intractable

between the two parties.

We were fortunate to have members of the Supporters Group who were skilled presenters and facilitators.

In future we should identify skills of partners early so we can include any support and training required.

A STRONGER PARTNERSHIP, A MORE SECURE FUTURE The Supporters Group is a key partner in the management of Makara Peak Mountain Bike Park. The partnership approach empowered the Makara Peak community to have its say and own the masterplan. It also clarified roles and responsibilities for the Council and the Supporters Group to implement the plan.

The process produced a robust and challenging masterplan to guide the development of one of Wellington’s major mountain bike parks, as well as strengthening the relationship between the partners managing the park.

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Otuataua Stonefields. Image Kara Goddard

Park Ranger Anna Baine

GUIDED WALKS FOR LOCAL PARKS COMMUNITY PARK RANGERS ARE LEADING GUIDED WALKS IN AUCKLAND’S LOCAL PARKS TO BOOST VISITATION AND A CONNECTION TO NATURE WORDS KARA GODDARD & ANNA BAINE, COMMUNITY PARK RANGERS, AUCKLAND COUNCIL

A

s the largest city in New Zealand, Auckland has nearly 4000 local and 26 regional parks across its 4894-squarekilometer area. The Auckland Council Community Park Ranger Team work in local parks and support volunteer groups to carry out ecological restoration and education projects.

Part of their role in educating people is encouraging them to get out and use their local parks. To inspire locals to visit and explore their local gems, the ranger team run guided walks; a program that relates well to Auckland Park’s value of “connecting to nature your way”.

The array of local parks across Auckland is vast and includes large open parks with grazing livestock, small patches of remnant native bush and stream reserves, as well as coastal esplanade reserves and beaches. Each has its own unique landscape and interesting aspects of cultural and historical significance.

This means rangers need to have a good working knowledge of all aspects of our varied parks system.

Rangers are continually educating themselves and seeking out newsworthy information to share with others. Knowing what is happening in and around the parks is an important part of the guided walks. An example would be understanding the changing status of the areas surrounding the parks, like the development of new housing or industrial subdivisions.

Most of the guided walks take place during weekdays and are often joined by local retirees that have an interest in their environment and a wealth of knowledge about the local spaces.

Many stories are shared about what the parks used to look like and what changes they have seen over time.

Our guided walks are also popular with locals, and new residents for whom English is a second language. These

34 AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE | Summer 2018

visitors often feel nervous visiting new parks as they can’t read the maps or signage and are concerned they may get lost. Having a guide to lead the way and explain the importance of the parks helps them to feel comfortable in the area and means they will come back with friends and family. These experiences are also a good way for them to practice their English and to meet other people from the area. We often talk with them about local volunteer groups that work in the park or nearby and share how they can help out with restoration projects. We also encourage them to sign up to our database so they can take part in planting or clean up events.

Guided walks give the rangers an opportunity to educate participants on local flora and fauna, as well as sharing the importance of local Maori and European heritage. Rangers get the opportunity to show off some of the lesser known but still remarkable sites across Auckland.

OTUATAUA STONEFIELDS Otuataua Stonefields Historic Reserve in Mangere has many fascinating features. Visitors can witness volcanic cones created 20,000 years ago, which have since been quarried for their basalt stone. Explore Maori village sites where they can see the rock outlines of whare (houses), kumara pits where root vegetables were stored, or midden that contain secrets to the past. The site also contains evidence of European settlement in the gullies that have been cleared of volcanic rock for crop growing sites and the stone walls that run across the volcanic landscape.

The landscape itself shows large exotic trees that stand out from the unique volcanic forest remnants and lava caves (tomo) that contain the remains of ancient wildlife.

MOST OF THE GUIDED WALKS TAKE PLACE DURING WEEKDAYS AND ARE OFTEN JOINED BY LOCAL RETIREES THAT HAVE AN INTEREST IN THEIR ENVIRONMENT AND A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE LOCAL SPACES. Guided walks run among these features, offering visitors the opportunity to stand amongst the historical sites and imagine how it would once have been.

PHUINUI RESERVE Puhinui Reserve in Papatoetoe, a peninsula near the Auckland airport, is a site where numerous sea birds congregate. Birds like dotterel (tuturiwhatu), wrybill (ngutu-parore), spoonbills (Kotuku ngutupapa) and white heron (kotuku) can be seen there. A large park at 199 hectares, it is a site of high historical, conservation and amenity value. The park is home to a premier 3-day event that sees top equestrians from around the country and the world compete at the highest level. A mountain bike trail also runs through Puhinui, making it a popular sporting venue.

Early Maori inhabited the Papatoetoe region at least 800 years ago, and several significant archeological sites remain along the shores of the Puhinui stream. The area was used as an important access point to get up the Puhinui stream inland to other settlements and fishing sites. The inlet contains some of the largest and oldest mangroves in the Auckland area.

The saltmarsh and coastal habitat of Puhinui is a restricted conservation area with no public access, except during guided walks. The walks give visitors the chance to hike along one of the most untouched coastlines in Auckland, where they may see some rare plant species such as native musk and swamp coprosma (hukihuki).

TOTARA PARK Totara Park in Manurewa is a multi-use park with a large range of activities across its 216 hectares. The Manukau Council purchased the land in 1966 under the proviso it would remain under public ownership.

Guided walks usually start in the tranquil bush area where large native trees tower above the walk way. The park is home to a mountain bike club, a pony and Riding for Disabled club, a Friends of Totara Park group, and is grazed by cattle in the upper reaches of the valley. There are tennis courts and playgrounds, and a swimming pool that is open for public use in summer.

The park is located at the headwaters

of Puhinui Stream, which winds its way down through Manukau and out to sea at Puhinui Reserve. The rangers explain the importance of the stream from the start of the journey to the finish. The importance of protecting our waterways is a strong message in this park.

Today the walks include a visit to newly planted riparian areas within the park, with over 35,000 plants planted this year alone.

KAURI POINT CENTENNIAL PARK Kauri Point Centennial Park in Birkenhead offers an opportunity for walkers to enjoy stunning uninterrupted views of the Waitemata Harbour while wandering through an expansive area of regenerating native bush.

The reserve is home to a range of native bird species including tui, kingfisher (kotare), silvereye (tauhou), fantail (piwakawaka), grey warbler (riroriro) and morepork (ruru).

The site has a rich and significant Maori history, with Kauri Point being one of the few remaining examples of a fortified pa on the Waitemata Harbour.

Within the park, Kendall Bay is a tranquil, sheltered sandy bay that is accessible only by foot or boat.

ALICE EAVES SCENIC RESERVE Alice Eaves Scenic Reserve (Eaves Bush), located at the northern end of Orewa, comprises approximately 16 hectares (40 acres) of land. Originally owned by Ngāti Paoa, it is a significant site both ecologically and culturally.

The guided walk here takes the group through a special stand of kauri; in particular past one kauri estimated to be at least 800 years old. Other native trees seen along the walk include kahikatea, mataī, rimu, kōwhai, karaka,pūriri, rewarewa, taraire, northern rata and a large number of nīkau palms.

sites. Rahopara Pa is one of the best remaining examples of a headland pa on the east coast of Auckland.

Another aspect of all the guided walks includes the collection of litter, together with an explanation on the impact litter can have on our natural spaces and wildlife, and on stream and coastline health. Rangers often provide rubbish pick up tools - which works well with children as they love competing to pick up rubbish. Though rangers have to be careful, as children often want to go into waterways and along steep areas to collect rubbish, so close observance is required to ensure safety. Discussions often take place regarding the sort of rubbish collected and why this type of rubbish is so easily discarded. For example, plastic single-use water bottles are a commonly dropped item and ideas are often shared on ways to discourage their use or how they can be properly disposed of.

Our parks are also important places of exercise, and educating the walkers and runners that use them on the importance of the park habitat is another common talking point. Just having the presence of rangers out and about in the parks regularly is important, and seeing people pick up rubbish is often a deterrent from dropping litter.

Members of the public often stop the group to discuss issues and report problems they see in the parks.

Guided walks in our local parks provide opportunities that many people might otherwise be afraid to take. By taking guided walks they get firsthand knowledge of the parks they live near.

In educating them on the historical, cultural and environmental importance of the park, they leave with a new understanding of the spaces they share, and often talk about their experiences with others and return with family and friends. This encourages use of our outdoor spaces and enhances the community’s appreciation for the parks.

The more people that have pride in their local parks, the more they are used and the safer they will be for all visitors.

KENNEDY PARK & RAHOPARA PA The guided walk at Kennedy Park and Rahopara Pa provides a chance for walkers to enter and learn about the fascinating World War II tunnels and gun emplacements positioned within Kennedy Park, as well as wander through the ancient Maori Pa site, Rahopara.

Several archeological features remain on the site, including defensive ditches, kumara pits and whare

Puhinui Reserve. Image Michael Ngatai

Summer 2018 | AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE 35

Kopupaka Reserve by Isthmus.

Auckland, NZ

WEIGHING UP THE RISKS RISK MANAGEMENT IS A FACT OF LIFE IN EVERY INDUSTRY. BUT DO YOU KNOW WHAT RISKS YOU SHOULD BE EVALUATING? WORDS BRENTON HARRISON, CONSULTING HEALTH AND SAFETY EDUCATOR AND ADVISOR, IGNITE SAFETY

W

hen thinking parks management, community events, tourism and recreational development, we need to be considering the risks.

Risk management should form the foundation of everything we do in every organisation, from local owner operators and national operators, to local council and Government.

In managing risks, we far too often focus on the negative. We judge the quality of our risk management by how many things we have identified that can go wrong and where people can be hurt. We release hordes of hi-viz-clad, clipboard-holding, steel-cap warriors to undertake regular inspections to ensure noone will be hurt. We then sit back and pat ourselves on the back saying we have done everything we can to not hurt anyone. High fives all around!

But have we?

Have we done the right thing, or have we done nothing more than limit the potentiality of possible outcomes for our parks, community events, tourism and recreational spaces? In terms of engaging communities and consideration of the social impact of events, is that the way to go about things? I don’t believe so.

Now, before people get up in arms about my “outlandish statements” or my complete “disregard for safety” and start throwing their magazine around and risking a paper cut … let’s take a moment to breathe.

Not considering all the things that could go wrong would be foolhardy, I agree. We do need to consider these things. What I am suggesting is that we consider not ONLY these things.

We should also consider the benefits of what we are doing and how they will impact community engagement

36 AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE | Summer 2018

in our parks, the social impacts of our community events and tourism and recreation opportunities.

“Hog-wash”, “nonsense”, “witch doctor”, I hear some people murmur.

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ADOPTING A RISK BENEFIT MODEL IS A SHIFT IN ORGANISATIONAL PSYCHE AND NEEDS TO BE WELL CONSIDERED AND LAYERED WITHIN AN ORGANISATION - BRENTON HARRISON tomatoes and hold off on the name calling for a few more moments.

First, let’s look at risk. What is it? The International Standards Organisation (ISO) define risk as “the effect of uncertainty of objectives”. However, when you start really researching the word risk you will find a number of different definitions, and no doubt, depending on which pair of glasses you have on at the time, it is all very subjective. So let’s focus on something we can all agree on.

When considering risk, most health and safety professionals (and risk management professionals, if we want to start segregating) will agree we need to consider two things: the likelihood of an event occurring and the severity of the outcome.

I now want you to take the time to reread that last section.

Did you see anywhere a connotation of negativity? Was risk defined as “all the things that can go wrong”? When considering risk, do we consider “all the things that can go wrong and how bad they can go wrong”? No. Just like people will choose to come to your park, attend your community event, or engage with your tourism or recreational opportunity, we too choose. We choose to make managing risk all about the things that could go wrong - well, in business anyway. In the ‘real world’, we consider the outcome more holistically.

Think about buying a house. Yes, we look at the risk of a looming market crash, but weigh that up against the benefits of the market continuing to provide high rates of return. When we go mountain biking the thought of having to wait in the line at the local A&E does cross our mind, but the thrill and enjoyment we get out of rushing down that trail at breakneck speeds far outweighs the nagging thought of standing in line.

I could go on and on with examples of how in the ‘real world’ we are constantly thinking of the benefits to what we are doing, as well as the potential negative outcomes, and in what circumstances the benefits outweigh the negative outcomes, but in the end we do things! So why not in business? Why not when planning our parks and open spaces, our community events and tourism and recreational opportunities?

FEAR OF PROSECUTION! I believe this is people’s biggest fear; the fear of prosecution. As a health and safety trainer, the most common question I get asked in my training is “does 1 + 2 / 5 = I will be prosecuted?”

I do a bit of reading, and nowhere have I seen a piece of legislation that says, “thou shall not consider the benefits of the outcome when managing risk” (said in my most legalese voice). That is because it doesn’t. Legislation wants us to manage risk, and Governments, broadly speaking, reference a 4–5 step model for managing risk: EITHER 1. Identify hazards 2. Assess the risks 3. Controls 4. Monitor 5. Review

OR 1. Plan 2. Act 3. Do 4. Check

Either way, there is no mention of not considering the benefits. Suitable and sufficient risk management comes down to good information. So, if you are only considering the negative impact, are you really undertaking a suitable and sufficient risk assessment?

I would argue, no.

There have been a number of tragedies in New Zealand that I am aware of, where there was no doubt what would be considered robust risk assessments undertaken. All of the things that could go wrong were thought of: staff were trained, rescue plans were in place, the organisation externally audited, and yet, people still died. The outcome was obviously not the desired result.

In some of those circumstances, it would appear the purpose for being there was just for something to do. I am sure someone somewhere could highlight the social and personal benefits of doing that event. However, in the conditions at the time, those benefits where possibly a long way from being realised.

I am not saying conducting a risk benefit assessment meant those tragedies wouldn’t have occur. Or would they have? Having considered the benefits of why those events were taking place, weighed against the very real risks of things going wrong, would they have even been conducting that

38 AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE | Summer 2018

Myers Park by Isthmus. Auckland, NZ

event at that time? Possibly not.

In one case, an option to leave the environment appears to have been deemed a non-option due to the risk of not following procedure and the possible consequences of that decision. Had the benefits been weighed up against the risks of not taking up that option, the result could have been very different, giving us a serious near-hit and an opportunity to learn without the loss of life.

Risk Benefit Assessments are not easy. They require us to consider not only the bad things, but the good things too. They force us to reflect more holistically on our parks and open space management, community events, and tourism and recreational opportunities, and how this stacks up against our organisational goals.

The benefits of an organisation conducting a risk benefit assessment model include: your event being a greater success; your park or open space being used by a community who will be fully engaged; meeting your legal obligations of conducting a suitable and sufficient risk assessment.

A WELL-CONDUCTED RISK BENEFIT ASSESSMENT PROCESS THAT IS PROPERLY ACTED UPON SHOULD PROVIDE A SOUND AND REASONABLE DEFENCE AGAINST LIABILITY CLAIMS AND PROSECUTIONS RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY MATTERS. - MANAGING RISK IN PLAY PROVISION

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Aquatic Innovation Award

Melissa Moon

Lifeguard Team of the Year

Karen Golden

MY EXPERIENCES AT WAVES 2018 WAVES: A PINNACLE EVENT BRINGING THE AQUATIC INDUSTRY TOGETHER WORDS AMY WALLER, AQUATIC CONSULTANT, AMOTTO CONSULTANCY

H

osted by the New Zealand Recreation Association (NZRA), Waves, previously known as JAWS, is an annual conference that focuses on creating long term partnerships within the sector.

This year’s conference saw us congregate in New Zealand’s first bilingual city, Rotorua. Throughout the first two days of the conference, we were fortunate to hear from a variety of inspirational speakers who openly shared their industry experiences with us. Inbetween sessions, there was the opportunity to meet new people and reconnect with familiar faces, and speak with trade representatives about new and existing products and services.

Waves has been a regular event in my calendar since I first attended as a

facility manager in 2005. More recently, I have attended as an independent consultant who specialises in aquatic operations and establishing facility systems and procedures. I always look forward to hearing news of projects, products and industry trends, and exploring networking opportunities.

This year’s programme allowed for a combination of presentations and workshops, with the latter spread across three different topic streams that required you to pick one – not easy given you can’t be in two places at once!

The following conference highlights were of particular interest to me, given my experience and current area of work.

The conference was opened by Simon Weatherill, who spoke to us via the web about how leadership and

40 AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE | Summer 2018

culture can affect performance within the workplace. I could relate to this presentation in a number of ways. I walked into my first management job as a 21-year-old fresh out of university; I had very little experience and the job was one within an established culture.

This was a challenge, which I am sure many of you can relate to at some stage of your career.

Prior to these management responsibilities, I initially started working in the industry as a pool lifeguard. I have very fond memories on those hours spent poolside, which is why I always enjoy hearing Gary Johnson speak so passionately about lifeguarding experiences and his different training methods.

Lifeguards are required to ensure the success of our industry; however, I have never been able to understand why these positions are not given the value they are necessarily worth.

For me personally, the experiences that I obtained throughout my time lifeguarding were invaluable and provided the perfect platform for launching my career 18 years ago. There are so many opportunities within the industry, but it does require dedication to work toward and attain the required experience to progress through the various industry pathways.

I have fabulous childhood memories of swimming in our primary school pool – the classic concrete pool that was partially above ground and could be accessed at any time with the pool key, which cost my parents just $10 each season. However, given most of these types of school pools were built in the 1970s, there is now industry-wide concern that rising maintenance and operational costs may cause further school pools to close. Water Safety New Zealand shared their concerns about this issue during their panel presentation. These concerns were common throughout the room, with

many sharing their experiences of schools who don’t have the knowledge to operate their pools efficiently, or who lack the funding for necessary maintenance and upgrades.

My passion for the industry extends to my enjoyment of water activities, and after recently becoming a mother, I am acutely aware of the need for young children to gain essential water safety skills. I feel there is no better place for this to be taught/reinforced than through regular swimming in the local school pool. Through my work within the education sector, it is my vision to continue to provide schools with the information they require to ensure they can make informed decisions about their pool.

Hearing about the growth of the health and wellness industry from Karen Gordon at the conference was mind blowing, and highly relevant given how this is now influencing tourism.

With family residing in Christchurch, we are regular visitors to the Garden City, so it was also interesting to hear about the newly completed QEII Recreation and Sport Centre. We will definitely be visiting the centre on our

next southern excursion!

Melissa Moon wrapped up the last afternoon session of the conference in style, speaking of what she had learnt through mountain running, stair racing and 95 days of running 15,200 miles through the Northern Hemisphere.

Awe inspiring! Personally, I can relate to running a few half marathons, although I will admit that doubt often goes through my mind at the 20-kilometre mark as to whether I will ever run another. However, after hearing Melissa’s stories and her principles for living life, I am now reinspired to run another half marathon – although I may or may not thank her for it!

My favourite principle from Melissa’s presentation – and one that we all should be reminded of regularly – is to take opportunities to step outside your comfort zone; face the fear.

Two years ago, I stepped outside my comfort zone, leaving my secure job and income. However, given the opportunities this has provided and the positive impact it has made to my work/life balance, I could not be prouder of myself for facing my fears.

Yes, there were nerves, lots of them in

fact, but I have absolutely no regrets given the opportunities this has created.

Finally, the awards dinner deserves a mention. It is always a highlight of the conference, as it provides the opportunity to socialise with those new connections you have made and catch up with those you haven’t quite got around to seeing yet. Steve, our MC for the night (and proud Warriors fan), wasted no time in splitting the room into three to see who could make the biggest noise. It definitely warmed everyone up for the dancing later in the evening.

Congratulations to all the award nominees and recipients. It is always a pleasure to hear of the remarkable achievements that individuals and facilities achieve across the industry.

The evening was thoroughly enjoyable, and I would like to personally thank NZRA for organising and delivering another brilliant conference. For me, the people within the industry make it an absolute pleasure to be a part of, and I am thoroughly looking forward to seeing everyone again for the Waves 2019 conference in Queenstown.

Resort Style Living

Lifeguard of the Year

Gary Johnson

Phone: +61 7 5492 6200 l BEACH SLIM l BEACH SOLO l BEACH QUARTET

www.rainware.com.au Summer 2018 | AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE 41

NEXT GEN INDUSTRY GO-GETTERS WORDS KRISTIN DAVIES, PLA NATIONAL BOARD DIRECTOR AND GENERATE NETWORK AUSTRALIA CHAIR

I

am honoured to be a part of Parks and Leisure Australia as a National Board Director and Chair of Generate Network Australia. I am humbled even more so by the opportunity to work with the calibre of people that represent our industry and who I have looked up to over my journey.

It is no secret that I am fiercely passionate about progressing our industry and the people in it. If you are a young professional, new to the industry, ready for your next leap, or just inspired to share your legacy and give back to the next generation, then this is your time!

OUR INDUSTRY SUCCESSION PLAN I see the value in supporting our upand-coming professionals and the role they play in the industry because I have had the privilege to be and benefit of being one of them. I consider myself one of the lucky ones, having been mentored by a number of industry influencers who, over the years, have encouraged me to “use my big girl voice”, to push through perceptions and setbacks, to champion my own development, and to respectfully challenge the status-quo by always seeking out progress.

Pictured left to right | Damian D’Cruz (MindSpring), Duncan McDougall (Generate NZ), Watene Hema (Generate NZ), Kristin Davies (Generate AUS), Jenn Benden (Generate NZ) and Hannah Chapman-Carr (Generate NZ).

PARKS AND LEISURE AUSTRALIA NATIONAL BOARD APPOINTMENT

Kristin Davies

When we support young professionals and people new to our industry to thrive, they do just that.

When I reflect on my own experiences, if it were not for the mentors I had and the learning culture that followed, I doubt I would have had the platform or permission to achieve what I have so far.

All of my contributions to the industry can be directly linked back to the professional development opportunities and experiences I had along the way.

Unfortunately, many don’t know where to start, or they leave their pathways up to the ‘system’ or the will of others.

All throughout our educational years, from primary school to high school and through higher education, we are

42 AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE | Summer 2018

We are delighted to introduce our newest leader to the Parks and Leisure Australia National Board, Kristin Davies.

Kristin is currently employed by City of Greater Geelong as a Senior Planner: Strategy and Policy (Social Planning and Investment). She brings with her over 10 years of industry experience in the sports, recreation, leisure, hospitality, events and gaming sectors, including involvement in a number of start-up and member based organisations.

Kristin joins us as a co-opted member and Chair to Generate Network Australia.

Generate is our commitment to the development of our young professionals and emerging leaders, and is proudly sponsored by Otium Planning Group.

Mark Band, PLA CEO Watch this space for a stack of upcoming Generate events: www.parksleisure.com.au/ about/generate-network

Generate AUS and Generate NZ Strategic Planning Day, September 2018, Auckland NZ

surrounded by development pathways, opportunities and learning advocates.

We are surrounded by teachers and support staff who readily connect us with learning opportunities and who are solely responsible for getting us to the next level. Then suddenly, we find ourselves starting our careers, and we begin to wonder, where did all the promoters, mentors and supporters go? How do we now connect, grow and leap into the next thing? Where do we even start?

From my experience, so far, working in the private sector, sports peak bodies and local government, we are referred to the HR department for all our predetermined learning and development programs. The way in which we learn can, at times, be very narrow and our development opportunities are often at the whim of our immediate managers and allocated budgets. The most concerning reality is that many of these initiatives are limited to developing you in the role that you are currently in and not the professional you are destined to be. It is not until we reach a certain point in our careers that we experience a new wave of ‘earnt’ industry development opportunities and networks.

In the first 10 years of our careers we often ask a question or show a desire in our workplace and get a single view, opinion or approach in return, and that’s our learning dynamic. But what if I told you that with a bit of self-directed learning and intent, you could take that question or passion and connect to, share and explore with a whole network of experts to find a solution or a path forward?

Generate Network breaks down the barriers of hierarchy, geography and economic status and creates a launch pad for up-and-coming go-getters in our industry to connect, learn and grow.

Our industry needs a succession plan and a way to nurture and tap into the innovative talent that exists.

I personally have a responsibility to put something back into the industry that has given me so much. I want to use my passion for encouraging and empowering colleagues to embark on self-directed learning and professional

development in order to connect and unleash the potential of the generations coming through.

So how do we earn our stripes in the first 10 years? It’s simple. We are the champions of our own pathway and development. It’s your career, so create it, own it!

GENERATE NETWORK AUSTRALIA Generate Network is a launch pad for up-and-coming parks and rec go-getters! We connect, develop and engage young professionals, people new to the industry and anyone looking for their next leap forward. We provide a platform for people in this career stage to have voice, to network with each other and the industry, and to engage in personal and professional development opportunities and events.

Generate Network Australia is Parks and Leisure Australia’s (PLA) commitment to the development of our young professionals and emerging leaders. Driving our work is our vision for more parks and recreation gogetters for generations to come.

In September 2018, I was involved in an inspiring multinational strategic planning day in Wellington, New Zealand, planning the future with Generate NZ. Strengthening ties and alignment with our partners at Generate NZ and New Zealand Recreation Association (NZRA) is particularly important, and, thankfully, to quote Generate NZ Chair Hannah Chapman-Carr, “Collaboration between Generate AUS and Generate NZ has never been stronger”.

At this year’s International Parks and Leisure Congress in Melbourne, we had a great turnout to the social networking evening we hosted for up-and-coming industry go-getters.

This event provided them with the opportunity to hear from world-class speakers talking about their entry into the sport, recreation and leisure world, and learn about the opportunities that await us in the industry.

We also hosted the inaugural Legacy Lunch Box session at the national congress. This session afforded us

important insights into all things ‘professional development’ from delegates and industry leaders, who shared their knowledge and valuable experiences, which will influence where we focus our efforts over the next 12 months and beyond – leaving an important legacy in their lunch break.

These events were delivered in partnership with Generate Network Australia, Generate Network NZ, Parks and Leisure Australia and World Urban Parks, and they were made possible by the support and sponsorship of Otium Planning Group.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR GENERATE AUSTRALIA? Over the next 12 months, Generate Australia will be focussed on broadening our network, establishing representation in every state and territory, and strengthening our important partnerships.

We are in the process of appointing representatives in each state to form the Generate Network Australia Committee, who will champion Generate Network over the next 3 years.

Want to get involved or know someone who would benefit from being a part of Generate Network?

Go to www.parksleisure.com.au/ about/generate-network

MASTER MENTORS | OTIUM PLANNING GROUP Otium Planning Group are the major sponsor of Generate Australia. Without their unwavering support and passion for developing the next generation, our network would not be possible.

Through our partnership with Otium Planning Group, Generate Australia is able to offer a fantastic mentoring program. No matter where you live in Australia, you have the opportunity to partner with an Otium Director so you can learn from an experienced industry professional who can provide you with a tailored development program.

Help us shape the future career pathways and development opportunities for students, young professionals and people new to the industry.

Summer 2018 | AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE 43

PASTERFIELD SPORTS COMPLEX A NEW SPORTS COMPLEX FEEDS THE NEEDS OF ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING SUBURBS IN THE HUNTER REGION WORDS NEIL KEENE, COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT OFFICER, LAKE MACQUARIE CITY COUNCIL

C

ameron Park in north-west Lake Macquarie was little more than a freshly minted name on a map back in 2001 – a 140ha tract of land earmarked for one of the Hunter Region’s most significant residential developments.

Fast-forward to 2018, and that blueprint has burgeoned into reality.

On the doorstep of the M1 Motorway linking Newcastle with Sydney, the suburb has become one of the fastest growing localities in the region. Census data shows Cameron Park recorded 54 percent growth in the five years to 2016, while its median age is just 32; 10 years younger than the Lake Macquarie median.

According to Mayor of Lake Macquarie, Cr Kay Fraser, one in four people living in the suburb is aged 14 and under, making Cameron Park ideal for a new kind of sports complex that offers more than traditional playing fields and change sheds.

“From the outset, we wanted this new facility to be the go-to recreational destination for everyone who lived in or near Cameron Park,” Cr Fraser claims. “That meant designing a site that offered something for all ages and all abilities.”

It was a task easier said than done.

Lake Macquarie City Council planners worked literally from the ground up on the project. Andrew Bryant, Manager Community Planning, says more than 150,000 tonnes of soil excavated during construction of hundreds of nearby homes provided the earthen foundations for the 8ha site. “Using soil from local development was a win-win situation,” Mr Bryant explains.

“It significantly reduced costs for Council in terms of provision and transportation, and it provided a local end use for material that would otherwise have to be trucked further afield.”

By the time those earthworks were underway in 2016, consultation with local residents and sporting groups had provided Council with a clear picture of what the community wanted. What resulted was a detailed design by Northrop Engineering outlining a unique but usable space that incorporated one of the city’s largest playing fields, a landmark playground, a plaza-style skate park and bowl, an outdoor fitness zone, a BMX track, netball courts and a two-storey clubhouse and community centre.

Next came the name. Pasterfield Sports Complex was named in honour

44 AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE | Summer 2018

of former Lake Macquarie Mayor Geoff Pasterfield, whose dedication to providing sports and recreational facilities to the community became one of his enduring legacies after his death in 2005.

With earthworks complete, construction of the $15 million complex proper began in late 2016, with Scape Constructions awarded the project contract.

Work was funded wholly by local development contributions. “This complex demonstrates the kind of large-scale community improvements made possible under the local development contributions program,” notes Mr Bryant. “Given our limited funding sources, it would be extremely difficult for local government to provide these quality facilities were it not for a larger infrastructure funding strategy that formed part of the Cameron Park development plans.”

Pasterfield’s main sports ground is capable of hosting full-sized AFL and cricket matches, or twin rugby league, rugby union or soccer fixtures.

In August 2018, the site was officially opened with a gala event and family fun day, with two local sports clubs – Cardiff Hawks AFL Club

and Cardiff Boolaroo District Cricket Club – making Pasterfield their new home ground. Mr Bryant says the opening wasn’t just a celebration of the completion of work, it was a chance for the community to take ownership of the site. “With so many young people living nearby, we realised the importance of providing a facility that would give them somewhere to go and something healthy, safe and enriching to do,” says Mr Bryant. Early reports suggest the strategy is working.

Since the site opened, Council has received positive reports from the Cameron Park community about antisocial behaviour dropping off markedly. “Young, fast-growing communities need easily accessible local facilities that promote physical activity, health and wellbeing,” explains Mr Bryant.

The 960sqm playground is a oneof-a-kind, with 68 separate pieces

of equipment and different areas for younger and older children. “We wanted to provide something new, fun and challenging for children of all ages,” says Mr Bryant.

Council worked with Terras Landscape Architects, a_space and Kaebel Leisure to design and build the space, which includes a 6.5m-tall climbing net as the eye-catching centrepiece. “The climbing structure is the tallest of its type in the region,” says Mr Bryant.

“The whole playground is a fantastic example of providing a space that promotes physical activity, stimulates a sense of adventure and helps kids test their limits. It’s a long way removed from the sterile playspaces that dominated public parks not that long ago,” he adds.

Award-winning industry specialists Convic designed and built the skate park in consultation with local

professional and amateur skaters and BMX riders.

Mayor Kay Fraser says that while catering for younger users was a priority, so too was providing facilities for older people. Pasterfield features an all-ages outdoor fitness zone with 25 pieces of exercise equipment and a 1km shared pathway encircling the site.

The main clubhouse was built to provide residents with a local community centre. It incorporates a large function room, activity/meeting spaces and storage rooms, as well as sports-specific facilities. “Years of planning, construction and hard work go into a project of this size and scope,” states Cr Fraser. “Seeing the community enjoying the facilities that development contributions have provided is enormously satisfying, not just for me but for everyone who has worked so hard to bring it to fruition.”

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EVENT ORGANISATION FOR MARGAINALISED COMMUNITIES A SYMPATHETIC AND INTENTIONAL APPROACH TO THE ORGANISATION AND PLANNING OF EVENTS FOR MARGINALISED COMMUNITIES IS THE KEY TO SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WORDS DR TRUDIE WALTERS, DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM, UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO

I

n spite of event organisers’ best intentions, events and festivals have the capacity to contribute to the marginalisation of underprivileged groups and communities. This often happens through exclusion, by creating a physically or financially inaccessible event, or by highlighting their ‘lack’. However, recent research on an event held for a marginalised community in South Dunedin, New Zealand, found that, with careful planning and execution, events can provide significant social value.

The South Dunedin Street Festival is an event held in a marginalised suburb with a population of just under 2500. South Dunedin is a low socioeconomic suburb with high rates of unemployment, disability, sole parents and elderly residents, coupled with low levels of educational achievement, access to internet and mobile phones, and low home and car ownership.

Local government is seen as having neglected the infrastructure needs of this community over the years, and a significant flood in the area in 2015 didn’t help this perception.

The South Dunedin Street Festival was first held in 2011 and has been held every

year but one since then. It is promoted as “a celebration of all things South Dunedin; all the fantastic variety and diversity of cultures, community groups, families and striking individuals that make up this special part of town. The Festival aims to both build a stronger sense of community and showcase the amazing resilience that’s already here, at times almost hidden…”

But does that really happen? How do organisers work toward these goals through their decision-making and planning processes? How do participants feel about the Festival, and what is its value to them and the community?

To find the answers to these questions, interviews were carried out with some of the organising committee, and conversations were had with attendees on the day. Collectively, the organisers and attendees felt that the Festival was valuable for a number of reasons: it is good for the community; it gets people out; and it showcases the diversity in the community.

The South Dunedin Street Festival was seen as good for the community in three ways. First, it showcased local community groups, activities and service

46 AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE | Summer 2018

organisations. Attendees appreciated seeing the wide range of local activities and services in the area that were available to them for leisure and support.

These included social services such as Presbyterian Support and the Blind Foundation, and local hobby clubs and church groups. The Street Festival also resulted in networking between smaller activity and support groups that wouldn’t ordinarily happen due to a shortage of time and resources.

The second way in which the Festival was good for the community was through the celebration of all things South Dunedin. This in turn helped to generate or increase a sense of pride among local residents.

Finally, the Festival was an enjoyable and accessible event especially for South Dunedin residents. “I think it’s really good that there are events in South Dunedin that are accessible and affordable. South Dunedin people have a low ownership of motor vehicles for instance, so they rely on public transport a bit more, or mobility scooters and various other ways of getting round the place. Getting to the other end of town doesn’t come easy for everybody.

So things happening that are good, enjoyable, local, I think that’s worth doing, that’s the main reason to do it, some affordable fun,” claims an event organiser.

There are few community events aimed at those on low incomes or with limited mobility in South Dunedin, and organisers believed the South Dunedin Street Festival was valued for its ability to get people out and bring them together. This theme came across very strongly in the conversations with attendees. It was clear that meeting others at the event was a catalyst for meaningful social interaction: “It’s important to me, it’s a day out.

I get to talk to people, get to know my neighbours. I see people I’ve known since they were children. That’s really special, that’s a South D thing.”

“Great way for people to mix and mingle. We’ve already met the other grandma! It’s the spirit, the community spirit.”

“It’s good, gets you out of the house, I’m in a council flat, you know...

You get to see lots of people you know, have a catch up.”

Even without these comments, this theme was easy to see at the Festival. People were seen laughing and hugging, remarking on how long it had

been since they had caught up with each other, passing on news of friends and family, and boasting about their child, grandchild or great-grandchild performing in the cultural event.

The organising committee deliberately sought to make the South Dunedin Street Festival an inclusive event that represented the diversity of its residents and their interests.

School cultural groups and ethnic minority groups were invited to give performances, groups from various genres of music and dance gave demonstrations, and a tremendous range of organisations from within the community showcased their products, causes and activities – from religious groups to a cannabis museum!

As a result of the care taken by the event organisers, the attendees not only reflected this diversity but more importantly they appreciated it and commented on it: “[I like that there is] people from all different walks of life.”

“I like to see the different groups performing.”

As a result of this intentional decisionmaking, the event allowed South Dunedin residents to celebrate the uniqueness of the suburb and focus attention on themselves. The Festival created a sense

of pride and empowerment, and helped lessen the stigma associated with the suburb. Older attendees in particular appreciated having an event to look forward to and a reason to leave the house, which in turn contributes to their quality of life. The event created a space and time to enjoy the company of others and the diversity of the community – both in terms of the people and the displays/ activities on offer. For these reasons, the event organisers can say with confidence that they have met their mandate of contributing to community celebration, pride, cohesiveness and wellbeing.

Perhaps most significantly, this research found that if events in/for marginalised communities are to be successful, a sympathetic and intentional approach needs to be taken to the organisation and planning. Such events need to be inwardly focused, authentic and relatable, and sensitive to the needs of the community. It is crucial that the community is not alienated, nor attention drawn to their marginalised status, by attracting or catering to outsiders from different socio-economic groups. If these key learnings are applied, these events may have meaningful social value for the community at its heart, leading to ongoing benefits for community members’ wellbeing and quality of life.

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Summer 2018 | AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE 47

Pingrup silo by Evoca1 (2018) Image Bewley Shaylor

Newdegate silo by Brenton See (2018) Image Bewley Shaylor

PUBLIC SILO TRAIL A PUBLIC ART PROJECT IN WA TRANSFORMS THE LANDSCAPE WITH A SERIES OF ‘STREET ART’ INSTALLATIONS BY ARTISTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

P

UBLIC Silo Trail is a creative project transforming country infrastructure into sites of world-class mural art. Following the creation of Australia’s first ever silo mural on the CBH Group’s Avon silos in the wheatbelt in 2015, cultural organisation FORM and the grain handler have partnered to celebrate regional Western Australia and give back to the grower community through epic murals on farming infrastructure across Western Australia.

Launched in 2015, this public art project began as an ambitious event called PUBLIC, which aimed to bring internationally-acclaimed urban artists to Western Australia and challeng them to transform a string of massive grain silos into works of art. These towering agricultural landmarks, visible for miles around, are a source of pride for their host towns and a drawcard for roadtrip adventurers.

Linking rural and coastal towns across Western Australia’s southern

regions, this open-air public ‘gallery’ is a game changer for the region, “bringing renewed emphasis to the positive perceptions of the regions, their people and industries, and the unique canvas they provide”.

A visible legacy of this extraordinary program can be seen spread across silos, street walls, buildings and transformer boxes across the region, and provides an opportunity for local communities to build a cultural tourism experience that is unique to their area.

PUBLIC Silo Trail Project Manager Rhianna Pezzaniti said the recently launched publicsilotrail.com website would serve as an information and planning portal for visitors keen to travel the trail. The website is a destination and information hub offering everything travellers need to know to plan their PUBLIC Silo Trail adventure. Alongside unique first person stories celebrating the character and tenacity of the region articulated in interviews, footage and imagery, the

48 AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE | Summer 2018

Six Stages of Banksia by Amok Island (2016) Image Bewley Shaylor

site hosts news and updates about the trail and little known facts about the region.

“Ultimately we hope the PUBLIC Silo Trail will become an iconic tourist drive for Western Australia, increasing visitation to agricultural towns not previously on the radar for cultural tourism, bringing art and creativity of a different sort to these communities, and celebrating regional Western Australia for all things it has to offer,” Ms Pezzaniti claims.

“The PUBLIC Silo Trail is art that tells

PARTNERSHIPS The PUBLIC Silo Trail is a partnership between FORM and CBH Group and is jointly funded by the Government through the Building Better Regions Fund, Lotterywest and a range of other generous community stakeholders. The Australian Government contributed $280,000 to the PUBLIC Silo Trail.

CREATING AN ARTWORK FOR A COMMUNITY THAT REFLECTS THAT COMMUNITY, SO THAT THEY REALLY CONNECT WITH THE ARTWORK, IS VERY REWARDING FOR ME. - EVOCA1 a story,“ she adds. “Each mural in the trail is site specific, distinctive and unique.”

“We hope these murals will become new location markers on Australia’s cultural map, and beacons to visitors and the community, writ large in the widest possible range of artistic styles.”

THE FINAL PIECE Completed in 2018, the last mural to be painted was a 25-metre-high offering from Miami artist Evoca1.

Painted on giant grain storage silos in the Great Southern farming town of Pingrup, Evoca1’s artwork is a tip of the hat to Western Australia’s tenacious, resourceful farming communities. A scene drawing threads from the fabric of everyday life in Pingrup, the artists figurative depictions of the town’s iconic Pingrup races, its Merino sheep,

its people, cattle dogs and even a tractor based precisely on one found on the main street of town, all tell a story about the character of the community.

Completed in August, the artist took 15 days and 230 litres of paint to create the mural, which entailed a series of artworks on three individual silos, each 25 metres high and 15 metres wide.

Working with rollers and brushes atop a boom lift, Evoca1 battled high winds and several days of rain.

Evoca1’s Pingrup silo is the sixth mural to have been created on grain silos in regional Western Australia as part of the project, joining painted silos in Northam, Merredin, Newdegate, Ravensthorpe and Albany to form the large-scale outdoor art gallery spanning the region.

The PUBLIC Silo Trail’s Pingrup instalment is already having an impact, with the town’s local Community Resource Centre purchasing a café in anticipation of increased visitation to the town.

CBH Group General Manager Grower and External Relations Brianna Peake said the co-operative is proud to have been able to support what is one of the largest urban art installations in the country.

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“It’s exciting to see our silos reinvented as these giant landmarks that will help to attract visitors to the region and have a positive impact on the surrounding community,” says Ms Peake “The effort and vision all the local and international artists have put into each of the installations across the PUBLIC Silo Trail has been spectacular, and we’re so pleased to have been able to support this great initiative.”

Evoca1. Image Bewley Shaylor

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Learn more about NEW TRIMMIT and visit us at IPLC2018, Stand 37, to receive your our free reusable coffee cup* p*

For more information, please call Syngenta Customer Service on 1800 022 035 or visit www.greencast.com.au Syngenta Australia Pty Ltd, Level 1, 2-4 Lyonpark Road, Macquarie Park, NSW 2113. ABN 33 002 933 717. ®Registered trademark of Syngenta Group Company. ™ Trademark of a Syngenta Group Company. All products written in uppercase are registered trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. © 2018 Syngenta. AD18-281. *While stocks last.

Summer 2018 | AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE 49

THE POWER OF THE ARTS THE FIRST PILBARA CREATIVE AND CULTURAL FORUM SERVED TO HIGHLIGHT THE VALUE OF THE ARTS TO ECONOMIC GROWTH

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ith an annual contribution of $90 billion to Australian GDP, the cultural industries are in a boom and have the potential to contribute to liveability and a diversified economy in the Pilbara. Held in September in Newman, Western Australia, the first Pilbara Creative and Cultural Forum sought to inform a strategy mapping the advancement of these substantial contributors to the region.

Partnerships, collaboration and big picture thinking were the key themes at the event, which attracted more than 220 delegates from across Australia, including Alice Springs, Melbourne and Sydney, and from across the Pilbara region.

Building transformational partnerships between government, the resources industry and the creative sector was highlighted throughout the two-day Forum as key to creating a stronger, more diverse and resilient sector in the Pilbara.

The Forum underscored the “tremendous, intrinsic value of the arts”, with keynote Catherine Hunter, Chair of the United Nations Global Compact

Network Australia and KPMG’s Head of Corporate Citizenship, calling for collaboration to enact change and the need for businesses to adapt to a changing world. “Businesses have the mandate to broaden scope and contribute to the national debate,” said Ms Hunter. “Art can change the story more powerfully than any other medium.”

A series of workshops were held during the Forum where delegates were given an opportunity to discuss new ideas and opportunities to expand the Pilbara’s creative sector to create greater depth in the economy and increase employment and career opportunities.

Creating distinctive festivals and events, enhancing visitor experiences, commercialising and exporting creative products, and harnessing digital technology were all raised as potential opportunities for growth within the region’s sector.

With 12 events featuring 44 speaking sessions by more than 39 speakers across seven venues, the Pilbara Creative and Cultural Forum celebrated the organisations and the projects

50 AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE | Summer 2018

that are using art for intergenerational knowledge transfer and the imparting of valuable life skills.

Debates ranged from navigating how to monetise elements of cultural capital, to rethinking traditional experiences so they meet tourist needs while still protecting Aboriginal sovereignty, and juggling capitalism with cultural protocol.

Delegates heard how projects like Pujiman, a collaboration between two Pilbara Aboriginal art centres, have propelled creative development and the careers of younger artists, and laid the foundations for long term, continuous partnerships.

Case studies such as the Martu land management program Kanyirninpa

Jukurrpa, which highlighted how working in equal partnership with the community has created meaningful employment for around 400 people, while simultaneously recording and protecting sites of cultural significance for future generations.

Digital technology was also raised as a key growth opportunity, with Roebourne organisation Big hART sharing the success of an interactive online comic book titled Neomad, which was developed to drive intercultural knowledge transfer and communication.

The Pilbara Creative and Cultural Forum was delivered by the Pilbara Development in partnership with cultural organisation FORM. FORM’s Executive Director Lynda Dorrington said the Forum’s program was driven by a need to provide alternative models of thinking and practice to present back to the region’s creative and cultural sector its capacity and its opportunities for growth.

“The Forum was a special moment in time for the Pilbara,” said Ms Dorrington.

“It brought the sector together to celebrate the strengths of current initiatives and find new opportunities that are possible through collaboration and stronger partnerships.”

Pilbara Development Commission Chief Executive Officer Terry Hill said the Forum marked a turning point in the way the Pilbara’s creative and cultural sector can look to develop.

“The future prosperity of the Pilbara relies on our ability to create diversity within the economy and the creative and cultural sector will play an important part in this as a creator of employment and new economic growth,” he claimed.

Outcomes of the Forum will inform a region-wide creative and cultural strategy delivered by the Pilbara Development Commission.

“The resulting strategy will provide a blueprint for a more coordinated and effective approach to investment in arts and cultural infrastructure and initiatives, and will ensure our regional art centres thrive long into the future,” said Mr Hill.

SPORT & LEISURE NATIONAL EXPERTISE LOCAL KNOWLEDGE SCALE + REACH + CAPACITY + TRACK RECORD Otium Planning Group provides consultancy services built around the four key areas of planning, facility development, management and funding for the sport, recreation and leisure industries throughout Australia, New Zealand and Asia Pacific.

Head Office: Level 6, 60 Albert Road South Melbourne Vic 3205 +61 (0)3 9698 7300 info@otiumplanning.com.au

AUSTRALIA

NEW ZEALAND

ASIA PACIFIC Summer 2019 | AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE 51

2018 WINNERS PLA AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE CELEBRATING QUALITY WORKS ACHIEVED BY THE PARKS, SPORTS AND LEISURE PROFESSIONALS OF AUSTRALIA

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very year, Parks and Leisure Australia showcase the best and brightest in the industry with the Awards of Excellence. In an outstanding display of projects that deliver enormous benefit to communities across the country, the region award finalists come together at the end of the year for the announcement of the National winners at the PLA Awards of Excellence Gala Dinner.

Held this year at the prestigious Melbourne Cricket Ground on 16 October, the 2018 Awards of Excellence, proudly sponsored

by GreenLife Group, was co-hosted by Sam Lane and Craig Willis, who delivered a dynamic celebration of all the parks, sport and leisure industry has to offer.

Here are the outstanding projects that took out top honours on the night.

BEST USE OF TECHNOLOGY Parallel Parks New Horizons, NSW/ACT Parallel Parks is a bold initiative with a big vision: to make the world’s national parks accessible to all.

Connecting with nature has profound benefits. It is essential to a person’s wellbeing, but for millions of people living with a disability, accessing parks can be difficult.

More than a billion people have some form of disability, with as many as 190 million adults having significant difficulty functioning, making it near impossible for them to enjoy the natural wonders our world has to offer. That’s where Parallel Parks can help. Parallel Parks is a New Horizons initiative that removes barriers and connects people to the world’s national parks through Virtual Reality (VR) technology.

COMMUNITY-BASED INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR Sustainable Living Mount Barker Mount Barker District Council, SA/NT Sustainable Living Mount Barker looks at creating a better environment in urban growth areas and supports increased environmental health of its remnant bushland and watercourses. It looks to involve and educate new residents into the value and benefits of living in a healthy environment.

A Community-Based Social Marketing (CBSM) project, Sustainable Living Mount Barker looks to engage an urban community and lead to behaviour change to better support natural resource management goals through the promotion of the increased use of local native plants in residential landscapes.

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The Goldfields Oasis team

BEST RURAL INDUSTRY CONTRIBUTION Goldfields Oasis Recreation Centre Boulder, City of Kalgoorlie, WA Located in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, Goldfields Oasis is recognised as an industry leader for its outstanding facilities and innovative approach to maximising community recreation and leisure.

Goldfields Oasis provides year round recreation opportunities for the local community and visitors to the area. It offers a localised venue for sporting, recreation and leisure pursuits, including courts for indoor sports, a 50m heated swimming pool, spa and sauna facilities, FlowRider and waterslides, state-of-the-art health club and group fitness classes, as well as function rooms, a kiosk, outdoor playing fields and more.

MAJOR EVENT OF THE YEAR Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival Cumberland Council, NSW/ACT Held annually in August, the Sydney Cherry Blossom festival provides days of familyfriendly entertainment amidst the bountiful splendour of the Auburn Botanic Gardens.

The popular festival follows the Japanese tradition of the Hanami (flower viewing) festival and has grown from a modest weekend attraction with 5000 visitors into a 10-day celebration of Japanese culture that attracts over 90,000 visitors. Festival attractions now include everything from sumo matches to Hello Kitty makeovers, an enticing array of Japanese fusion and traditional food samplings, and offerings of premium plum wine, flower sake or Japanese craft beer.

Cherry blossoms at Auburn Botanic Gardens

Kevin Lowe

EMERGING LEADER

FRANK STEWART DISTINGUISHED SERVICE Kevin Lowe The most prestigious award bestowed

by Parks & Leisure Australia, the Frank Stewart Distinguished Service Award salutes the significant contribution an individual has made to the development, promotion and advocacy of the parks and leisure industry through their personal and professional endeavours.

This year’s recipient, Kevin Lowe, General Manager for Urban Planning & Leisure Services with Campbelltown Council, South Australia, joined the PLA (formerly the RAIPR) as an 18 year old in 1980 and has been a member ever since.

Kevin has served on the NSW/ACT Regional Council Board, even serving a term as president, before his transfer to South Australia in 2001. Upon his arrival in South Australia, Kevin immediately took up a position on the SA/NT Regional Council Board, and is a former National President.

Sarah McPhee Sarah McPhee’s work ethic and significant list of achievements is the start of a promising career within the parks and leisure sector.

As the Recreation Development Officer at Macedon Ranges Shire Council, Sarah has developed a number of key relationships within the organisation and the local community.

Among her many achievements, Sarah has coordinated the development of a landscape masterplan for a new reserve in South Gisborne, and led a team comprised of consultants and staff from Parks, Community Development and Strategic Planning. She has refined the seasonal ground and pavillion changeover process – taking it from a paper process to a digital system – and created and implemented a program of Mental Health First Sarah McPhee Aid Training for club coaches and committees, to help raise awareness of mental health issues within the local community.

Georgie Beeforth

DAVID ALDOUS STUDENT OF THE YEAR Georgie Beeforth After completing a Bachelor of Health Science, Nutrition, Health Promotion and Psychology at Deakin University in 2016, Georgie Beeforth completed an internship with City of Greater Geelong in 2017, where she worked on two preventative health projects. Effectively coordinating a workplace health program and Walk to School initiative.

Georgie optimises the use of spaces and places to get more people moving.

Georgie’s professionalism, outgoing nature and passion for the parks and leisure sector and improving the health and wellbeing of our community, makes her best placed to be an effective ambassador for PLA.

FIND OUT WHY MEMBERSHIP IS IMPORTANT

As the national peak body for the “people behind the places”, we support our members through the provision of training, professional development, research, advocacy and access to a range of products and services.

TO FIND OUT MORE VISIT PARKSLEISURE.COM.AU/MEMBERSHIP OR CALL +61 8 8332 0130 Summer 2018 | AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE 53

Cockburn ARC

RESEARCH PROJECT

COMMUNITY FACILITY OF THE YEAR Cockburn ARC City of Cockburn, WA In 2009, with a rapidly growing population and existing leisure facilities reaching the end of their lifespan, the City of Cockburn decided to create a unique facility to serve the needs of the evolving community. The resulting centre, Cockburn ARC, is a cutting-edge, industry-first, integrated aquatic recreation, education and elite-athlete training facility that offers 9 water areas, 3 waterslides, 6 court stadium, 3 group fitness studios and a huge health club space.

The $109 million facility is dedicated to its mission of More People, More Active, More Often; making the improvement of the health and wellbeing of the city’s rapidly growing population its top priority.

The REVAMP Study Deakin University, VIC/TAS The REVAMP study is a collaborative three year natural experiment led by the Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN) at Deakin University. This natural experiment provides crucial evidence that the design and installation of a new playspace has the potential to positively influence park visitation and park-based physical activity among children and adults.

Through the comparison of an ‘intervention’ park, in which a new playscape was installed, against a ‘control’ park, which remained unchanged, the experiment examined the impact on park visitation and park-based physical activity levels, resulting in recommendations to improve future park developments.

Coal Loader Platform

PARK OF THE YEAR

Piney Lakes Sensory Play Park

PLAYSPACE AWARD <$0.5M Piney Lakes Sensory Play Park City of Melville, WA Piney Lakes Sensory Play Park is one of Melville’s most inclusive parks. It attracts diverse users and creates a space where people experiencing disability can actively play and interact alongside their family, friends and community.

The park showcases bespoke accessible play elements that incorporate and celebrate the surrounding natural environment.

Some of its outstanding features include: raised garden beds bordering play areas; wide paths, ramps and bridges across the site; accessible table settings and drinking fountains; water and sand play areas; and a labyrinth with coloured peepholes and speaker phones for three-way conversations.

PLAYSPACE AWARD >$0.5M Ian Potter WILD PLAY Garden Botanic Gardens & Centennial Parkslands, NSW Centennial Park’s Ian Potter WILD PLAY Garden is a state-of-theart nature playspace designed to engage the five senses and help to reconnect children to nature. There is nothing else like it in Australia.

Located in the heart of Centennial Park in Sydney, this spectacular space offers city kids an opportunity to immerse themselves in an oasis of nature-play and adventure. It is designed to cater to children of all ages and abilities and encourages them to explore dry creek beds, an artesian water play area, a bamboo forest, banksia tunnels, turtle mounds, and Centennial Park’s first treehouse.

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Coal Loader Platform North Sydney Council, NSW/ACT Once a desolate landscape of harsh concrete, stark fencing and remnants of an industrialwaterfront era long since extinct, the Coal Loader Platform represents an exceptional, publicly accessible parkland, research facility and greenroof platform.

While the area once barred public access, the Coal Loader Platform now embraces community engagement. North Sydney’s newest multi-purpose open space is one of the city’s largest greenroof spaces, measuring one hectare in size, and boasts a range of sustainability features such as an Urban Harvest Precinct, unique water recycling systems, solar panels, and a native garden demonstration area and outdoor classroom.

STRATEGIC PLANNING Environment and Liveability Strategy 2017 Sunshine Coast Council, QLD The Sunshine Coast Environment and Liveability Strategy 2017 highlights the importance of an integrated planning and policy framework to achieve effective long-term outcomes for parks, sports grounds and recreation trails, which are the heart of a liveable community.

By identifying the key challenges and harnessing the opportunities that will present over the next 25 years, the strategy can provide an integrated framework and sets strategic directions to guide the actions of council and its partners to ensure a healthy environment and liveable Sunshine Coast to 2041.

Ian Potter WILD PLAY Garden

2018 FINALISTS PLA AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE CELEBRATING QUALITY WORKS ACHIEVED BY THE PARKS, SPORTS AND LEISURE PROFESSIONALS OF AUSTRALIA

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his year’s pool of PLA Awards of Excellence candidates was filled with an exciting array of projects that demonstrate the high quality of innovation for which this industry is known. We take an indepth look at the national finalists from two of this year’s categories: Community-based Initiative of the Year and Event of the Year.

Capturing local stories for the Memory Atlas

COMMUNITY-BASED INITIATVE OF THE YEAR Memory Atlas Social History Walking Tours City Of Ballarat VIC/TAS Memory Atlas Social History Guided Tours is a project that allows the ‘city of memories’ currently residing inside Ballarat residents to be seen and shared.

In 2013, the City of Ballarat launched a broad scale engagement, Ballarat Imagine, asking the local community what they love about their city and what they imagine for their city’s future to 2040. The City of Ballarat responded to the community’s call to celebrate the unique history and stories of the region by engaging local artist and filmmaker Mick Trembath to create the Memory Atlas.

The Memory Atlas project engages local community members, filmmakers and archival researchers to capture the stories of people of varying generations, from the young through to seniors, to develop a series of site specific, socialhistory documentaries in Ballarat. These stories are then mapped to create a series of themed or geographic-based walking tours of the region. It is an archaeology of the living, with stories and memories recreated through video and storytelling.

Over the last 2 years, the Memory Atlas project has engaged with the Ballarat community to demystify digital storytelling. The process has taught people involved in the project how easy it is, with modern technology, to produce quality documentaries and upload them to a public platform, building a ‘crowdsourced’ social-history repository in the process. Local schools and community groups have been involved

City of Ballarat

in providing a truly intergenerational and multigenerational platform for learning about and appreciating the rich social history of Ballarat.

Memory Atlas creates a sustainable framework for cultural development as each resident has some sort of personal connection to a building or place in Ballarat and, through the project, will be invited to contribute their own stories to develop an accessible oral history archive of Ballarat Developers on the project state there

is a strong need for a space for the social history of Ballarat to be seen and heard, and that these histories need to be recorded and made available as precious accounts of people’s experiences.

Indigenous groups in Ballarat have also identified the need to update indigenous oral history recording utilising Memory Atlas technology.

Memory Atlas partners with local indigenous groups, multicultural groups, sporting facilities, lifelong education organisations and local

Summer 2018 | AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE 55

Leedy Street Open was a hit with the locals Leedy Street Open

government, to provide opportunities for youth, indigenous and senior skills development in filmmaking, storytelling, musical composition and technical skills. U3A, Dementia Victoria and other local community groups and schools have been conducting Memory Atlas workshops for the last two years, resulting in approximately 100 stories being incorporated into the Memory Atlas web portal already.

Memory Atlas seeks to question the idea of belonging to a ‘generation’ by linking buildings and other places of Ballarat to the experiences of people in those places. While there is a temptation to always tell the hero’s story, what Memory Atlas seeks to do is encourage ALL the people who were there to tell their stories.

Leedy Streets Open City Of Vincent, WA Leedy Streets Open is a unique community project that looks like a series of street festivals, but with a distinct difference.

Over four consecutive Sundays, from 11 Feb to 4 March 2018, City of Vincent closed the main streets of Leederville to cars. We encouraged local businesses to spill onto the streets and help us celebrate everything that is unique about Leederville.

Our point of difference is, when other community street festivals come into an area, they import food, entertainment and visitors, and then leave. Leedy Streets Open empowered local businesses and Leederville Connect to shape the event, making it a sustainable venture because it is run by the residents and business owners themselves.

The first challenge we identified was engagement. To be truly successful we

needed the businesses of Leederville to take ownership and pride in the event.

We started off with a pilot trial in March 2017, to give business owners a taste of what the project could look like. After the trial we surveyed all businesses and residents in the Leederville Town Centre to let them decide how the project should progress. The collaborative nature of this project made it very unique from other community events we run in the City.

Meetings were held regularly between the City, Leederville Connect and all major stakeholders to ensure everyone was on the same page and different projects and activities could coexist under the Leedy Streets Open banner.

One thing we wanted to avoid was becoming too successful. We learnt from other community street festivals in our area that grew too big to be sustainable. We planned to spread the project over a number of weeks to provide opportunities for local businesses to shine. We wanted to attract some new visitors and give local residents a good excuse to come into the town centre.

Leedy Streets Open as a project was inspired by community development and placemaking principles. We know that great main streets play a key role in the economic, social, cultural, environmental and spiritual life and health of their communities. Each of the businesses in the main strip add something to the atmosphere of the area and we wanted to encourage them to activate the public space around them and bring their energy and style to the look and feel of our streetscapes.

Leedy Streets Open took our plans one step further by closing the roads to cars and encouraging businesses to take over the public space.

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The secondary objectives were to demonstrate to local residents and the business community how Leederville Town Centre could function better without cars and to create an environment that required local businesses to think outside of their shopfront and work collaboratively to bring life to the area.

While we are currently still collating feedback and receiving official data on foot traffic to the area during the event, we have received anecdotal feedback that has been overwhelmingly positive and supportive of the event, and it is clear that businesses who engaged with the street did better than those that did not.

Active Parks Ipswich City Council, QLD The Active Parks program is a community health and fitness program initiated by the Ipswich City Council that showcases free and low-cost physical, sport, recreation, and wellness activities to help remove barriers to accessing healthy activities for people of all ages and fitness levels for the local Ipswich Community.

First developed as a month-long trial in September 2016, a variety of activities, locations and time slots were trialled to determine the best options for the community.

Based on customer feedback and some learnings along the way, a 40-week program of activities was launched in July 2017. The program offers a variety of activities, including bootcamps, boxercise, circuit training, high-intensity interval training, low impact fitness, Zumba and yoga.

Active Parks

Keeping locals fit in Active Parks

Active Parks was developed with the intention to create an all-inclusive program that had an activity to suit everyone, regardless of age and fitness level. Another main objective was to make health and fitness activities more easily accessible. Active Parks is currently the only free fitness program of its kind in the Ipswich region.

Main barriers to participation for adults identified in the Community Physical Activity Survey were a lack of time, expense and lack of available facilities. The Active Parks program identified this and built the program around these challenges.

In 2014, the Sport and Recreation Stakeholder Consultation forum was held, which involved key stakeholders of the Ipswich sport and recreational community. During this forum, areas for improvement and opportunities within the Ipswich sports and physical activity community were discussed.

Broader community consultation was also undertaken to inform the Sport and Recreation Strategy (2015), which indicated that 79 percent of residents would like to see more free exercise programs offered to the community (398 responses were received). The Active Parks program

was developed in response to these consultation outcomes.

The Active Parks program engages with local facilities and parks to host classes, as well as using local professional and fully trained/qualified instructors and advisors to run the sessions. The Active Parks program contributes to developing awareness and education programs relating to health care intervention and prevention, healthy eating, healthy lifestyles and wellbeing within the Ipswich community.

It was noted that the lack of participation in community physical activities could be linked to poor advertising of the programs available.

To further support the implementation of Active Parks, a wide scale marketing campaign was developed, including profiles of several Active Parks activities appearing in local magazines and websites.

The digital media campaign has provided great insight into the power of social media marketing, with a high weekly engagement numbers. The most recent marketing data shows that Active Parks program Facebook posts reach up to 33,309 people, with 24,491 people watching promotional videos, and 2333 people actually clicking through to the website to register for programs and to see what is on offer.

PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT

Summer 2018 | AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE 57

One of a series of popular Groove and Graze events

The Active Parks program is also underpinned by empirically based behaviour change theory, specifically utilising the Health Belief Model, which also informed its associated marketing campaign.

The Active Parks program prides itself on being fully inclusive, with all activities and facilitators able to adapt exercises to those with a disability In total, the Active Parks Program has delivered 240 free activities (10 a week), with 1479 people participating to date since its implementation in July 2017.

MAJOR EVENT OF THE YEAR Groove And Graze Series City Of Glen Eira, VIC/TAS Groove and Graze is a series of three annual familyfriendly events catering for all ages and demographics.

Held in local parks and gardens with a variety of food trucks, a pop-up bar and live entertainment by local musicians, Grooze and Graze is the newest addition to the annual Glen Eira events calendar.

In November 2016 and March and April 2017, local ‘neighbourhood’ parks around the municipality were transformed into vibrant community spaces that featured DJ entertainment, roving acts, pop-up bars serving a selection of craft beers, ciders and wines, and a diverse selection of food trucks with cuisine from all over the world.

The park series was developed after qualitative feedback suggested outdoor Council events could better cater for young professionals and/or parents

with young children that wished to participate in events not predominantly centred on children. Groove and Graze strikes that perfect balance. This new series effectively addresses the social characteristics of the missed demographic, but does not alienate or exclude those outside of it.

Although aimed at a certain demographic, what was unique about the series was actually the diversity of attendees. Young families with children of all ages, elderly residents and teenagers all came together to harmoniously share a community space.

To maximise success and encourage broad appeal, Council worked in partnership with the Australian Mobile Food Vendor Group to tap into their pool of 400+ registered food trucks. Giant board games suitable for both adults and kids, restricted access bar, innovative cubed seating and wooden pallet tables, as well as live music all contribute to the event’s dynamic and vibrant vibe.

Protection of park amenity is a key consideration, and best practice event and risk management procedures are implemented to minimise any negative impact. Detailed safety management plans and hazard and risk assessments are strictly adhered to and Arts and Culture Staff work closely with Parks Services to ensure that the impact to the physical environment is minimal.

The provision of alcohol via a pop-up bar was a new challenge that came along with the introduction of the Groove and Graze series. To minimise risk, alcohol is only available in the fenced-off bar area and security

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is placed at both entry and exit points.

Food vendors are selected based upon their capacity to service healthy food options; further supporting the goals outlined in the Glen Eira Municipal Health Plan (2013-17). Preference is given to food stallholders offering healthy meal options as well as child-sized meals as part of their menu.

Council continues to seek to reduce its carbon footprint/emissions at all events and to ensure where possible that no irreversible damage occurs to the local environment. Waste minimisation is a key target at all events.

In 2017-18, Arts and Culture staff worked to reduce their reliance on printed communication by engaging through social media (Facebook and Intragyral) in order to expand the reach of the event.

The social impact of the event will also contribute to its ongoing sustainability. The event has proven to be accessible and popular with people of all ages and backgrounds. This broad appeal will work to strengthen community buy-in for arts and cultural activities, in turn strengthening community identity by showcasing and celebrating the diverse make-up of the Glen Eira municipality.

The event is financially sustainable with a spend of approximately $25,000 and attendance in excess of 6000 people across each event day.

Feedback from local residents across the series showed that the events were well run, family friendly, dynamic and vibrant, making them a hit with the locals.

RESEARCH CONNECTIONS AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

PROXIMATE TOURISTS AND MAJOR SPORT EVENTS IN EVERYDAY LEISURE SPACES (2018) Authors Katherine King, Richard Shipway, Insun Sunny Lee and Graham Brown Article Abstract The local and the everyday provide a base resource for an individual to draw upon selectively in the reflexive construction of their leisure lifestyles.

Through processes of tourism, however, these everyday spaces can become transformed into tourist products such as through the staging of major sports events. Research often recognises the social impacts sport tourism events can have on host communities yet assume homogeneity across these communities without considering the differentiated leisure lifestyles which characterise them.

This paper explores the interplay between the hosting of major sports events and leisure spaces, community and practices of local established sporting communities who are connected to the event through their socio-cultural proximity to the leisure lifestyle and physical proximity to the event setting. The study draws upon qualitative data from interviews with 19 cyclists who live in Adelaide, the host city of the Tour Down Under, an annual professional cycle race and festival. The findings explore the ways in which local cyclists experience the event as proximate tourists drawing upon their knowledge of everyday sporting spaces, local resources and their insider status to inform their identities. The findings examine the ways in which they maintain connections with local places throughout the staging of the event, and highlight some of the tensions this creates in their on-going everyday leisure practices. It argues that organisers of major sports events should utilise the pool of resident participant experts offered through local sports clubs and communities and ensure they benefit from their hosting.

Published Tourism Geographies Download www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/1 0.1080/14616688.2018.1477827 Cost $42.50 (USD)

HEALTH-PROMOTING SPATIAL PLANNING: APPROACHES FOR STRENGTHENING URBAN POLICY INTEGRATION (2018) Authors Melanie Lowe, Carolyn Whitzman and Billie Giles-Corti Article Abstract Improving urban population

health requires integrated spatial planning to create liveable communities, with affordable housing and daily living destinations accessible via walking, cycling and/or public transport. Integration must occur horizontally across transport, housing, employment, education and social infrastructure sectors, and vertically between levels of government.

While horizontal integrated planning is a common urban policy aspiration, there is a lack of clarity on how it can be attained.

Using a case study of Melbourne, Australia, this paper draws on interviews with state government policymakers and policy content analysis, to explore barriers and enablers of horizontal integrated planning for health. Key requirements for integrated planning are outlined, to assist policymakers in creating healthy, liveable communities.

Published Planning Theory & Practice, 19:2. pp 180-197 Download www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/1 0.1080/14649357.2017.1407820 Cost FREE

DEVELOPMENT OF A SCALE TO MEASURE SOCIAL CAPITAL IN RECREATION AND SPORT CLUBS (2018) Authors Tom Forsell, John Tower and Remco Polman Article Abstract Social capital’s measurement has been limited and an effective scale is needed. This research employed focus groups and interviews and a panel of experts to provide understanding and items for a social capital scale in sport and recreation setting. After a pilot study the Club Social Capital Scale (CSCS) was completed by 1,079 members of sport and recreation clubs. This 42-item scale included the factors trust, friendship, acceptance, reciprocity, norms, and governance. Exploratory factor analysis resulted in a 20-item four component (governance, norms, friendshipacceptance, and trust-reciprocity) CSCS. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the potential four or five factor model and the hierarchical structure. The CSCS is the first psychometrically developed instrument to measure the factors underlying social capital rather than its outcomes. It can inform policy makers or sport and recreation administrators to establish baseline social capital in their organization and the efficacy of interventions or changes in policy.

Published Leisure Sciences Download www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/1 0.1080/01490400.2018.1442268 Cost FREE

BALANCING INDIGENOUS VALUES THROUGH DIVERSE ECONOMIES: A CASE STUDY OF MĀORI ECOTOURISM (2018) Authors Maria Amoamo, Katharina Ruckstuhl and Diane Ruwhiu Article Abstract Tourism has been portrayed as a sector that can create economic opportunities for Indigenous people through the development of Indigenous tourism and the generation of employment especially in regional and remote areas. This article presents a case study of Māori ecotourism that describes a business model that invests in and supports the building of capacity and enterprise while balancing both cultural and economic values. We posit a hybrid business model that “fits” with context-specific sociohistorical culturally constituted frameworks, which incorporate a language of “economic diversity”. Using the framework of diverse economies we challenge tourism academia to move toward more flexible forms of understanding economic practice and the aspirations of Indigenous people today.

Published Tourism Planning & Development, 15:5. pp 478-495 Download www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/1 0.1080/21568316.2018.1481452 Cost $42.50 (USD)

REMAKING CITIES: THE FOURTEENTH AUSTRALASIAN URBAN HISTORY/PLANNING HISTORY CONFERENCE, MELBOURNE (2018) Authors Lauren Pikó, James Lesh and Victoria Kolankiewicz Article Abstract This is a conference report on the fourteenth biannual Australasian Urban History/Planning History (AUHPH) conference held between 31 January and 2 February 2018 at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University.

Published Planning Perspectives Volume 0.

Issue 0. pp 1-9 Download www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/1 0.1080/02665433.2018.1507007 Cost $42.50 (USD)

INTERNATIONAL

EVENT LEGACY FRAMEWORK AND MEASUREMENT (2018) Author Holger Preuss Article Abstract This article presents the development of a new approach for measuring mega sport event legacy and is based on the Olympic Games as a reference. The legacy of mega sport

Summer 2018 | AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE 59

events has gained ever more importance during recent years for both academics and practitioners. While the sport organisations gain large revenues, cities lose. Such costs, mixed with political discussions over host government spending of public money, seem to evermore prove that there is the potential for corruption, and increased scrutiny by a variety of stakeholders has led to concerns over the benefits of the Olympic Games for the host region. Thus, the politicians call for referendums and over the past 6 years all of the referendums had negative results. Therefore, the research aims for this article are to identify the long-term costs and benefits of staging the Olympic Games and at least suggest some possible methodology for the measurement of those costs and benefits. The focus of the article is set investigating the shortcomings regarding legacy literature.

A previously built theoretical framework will be expanded to provide a better manageable legacy framework.

Published International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics Download www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/1 0.1080/19406940.2018.1490336 Cost $42.50 (USD)

EVENT PERFORMANCE INDEX: A HOLISTIC VALUATION TOOL (2018) Authors Monika Bandi Tanner, Adrian Künzi, Therese Lehmann Friedli and Hansruedi Müller Article Abstract The subsidization of events by public Authorities at different administrative levels has become increasingly important in recent years.

Event portfolios are an important supply component of tourism destinations. The development of a valuation tool with an event performance index (EPI) as the key output should enable public Authorities to develop transparent, systematic and fair subsidization practices in the future. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Published International Journal of Event and Festival Management, Vol 9. Issue 2. pp 166-182 Download www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/ abs/10.1108/IJEFM-09-2017-0047 Cost $32

AGRICULTURAL SHOWS: VISITOR MOTIVATION, EXPERIENCE AND BEHAVIOURAL INTENTION (2018) Authors Caroline Westwood, Peter Schofield and Graham Berridge Article Abstract The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the theory concerning visitor motivations, consumer experience and behavioural intentions at rural events; more specifically, it focusses on agricultural shows, which have hitherto been neglected

in the events management literature. These events have successfully broadened their visitor base, but not without the attendant challenges for agricultural events’ designers Published International Journal of Event and Festival Management, Vol 9. pp 147-165 Download www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/ pdfplus/10.1108/IJEFM-09-2017-0050 Cost $32

IDENTIFYING MOTIVES FOR ENGAGEMENT IN MAJOR SPORT EVENTS: THE CASE OF THE 2017 BARENTS SUMMER GAMES (2018) Author Anne Tjønndal Article Abstract Major sport events are facing increasing demands. These events are no longer “just” about sport, but are now expected to be sustainable, multicultural, democratic and convey specific political values such as “unity,” “identity” and “peace.”

The increasing demands on major sport events place local hosts in a difficult situation, accommodating both the organization of the sport competitions and the ideologies connected to these events. The purpose of this paper is to identify motives for engagement among stakeholders of the 2017 Barents Summer Games. Furthermore, it investigates how and in what ways these motives are conflicting, and what the consequences of conflicting motives of engagement can be for the development of innovation in major sport events.

Published International Journal of Event and Festival Management, Vol 9. Issue 2. pp 223-242 Download www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/ full/10.1108/IJEFM-09-2017-0052 Cost $32

BACK TO TRADITIONAL STADIUM NAMES: FANS’ ROLE IN FINANCING NAMING RIGHTS THROUGH CROWDFUNDING (2018) Author Christopher Huth Article Abstract Despite the growing number of corporate-sponsored sport facilities, public resistance to naming rights sometimes arises. In line with other supporter-based financial instruments such as fan bonds or shares, the possibility arises that a sport club’s supporters could invest in the stadium naming rights to secure a traditional name, possibly by initiating a crowdfunding project. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the factors separating potential capital providers from nonparticipants and to determine which factors influence the investment decision.

Published Sport, Business and Management: An International Journal, Vol 8. Issue 3. pp 214-234 Download www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/ full/10.1108/SBM-05-2017-0027 Cost $32

60 AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE | Summer 2018

PAYING FOR PARKS. TICKETED EVENTS AND THE COMMERCIALISATION OF PUBLIC SPACE (2018) Author Andrew Smith Article Abstract Music festivals, sport events, funfairs, exhibitions and other ticketed events provide a source of income for Authorities struggling to pay for parks. Park events are also justified as ways of making city parks more exciting and attracting a more diverse range of users. However, commercial events are often contested as they restrict the availability of public space and compromise the status of parks as accessible, ‘open spaces’ that are free to use. These issues are explored here by analysing Battersea Park in London which has a long track record of hosting ticketed events, including the Festival of Britain Pleasure Gardens and, more recently, Formula E motor races. Historical and contemporary analysis of Battersea Park demonstrates how ticketed events privatise park space, providing precedents for future commercialisation and development. The case study also suggests that the growing pressure to transform parks into event venues is changing the ways our parks are governed and managed. These changes suggest that a process of neoliberalisation is occurring, but the research presented here suggests that this explanation perhaps oversimplifies the nuances of park commercialisation. Ultimately, the paper highlights the conflicts and issues that arise when the exchange value of public parks is prioritised over their use value.

Published Leisure Studies Download www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/1 0.1080/02614367.2018.1497077 Cost $42.50 (USD)

EXAMINING FUTURE PARK RECREATION ACTIVITIES AND BARRIERS RELATIVE TO SOCIETAL TRENDS (2018) Author Dino Zanon, Jim Curtis, Leonie Lockstone-Binney and John Hall Article Abstract This study empirically examines how future park recreation is related to enduring societal trends. An online panel of 927 participants was surveyed regarding anticipated park recreation participation in ten years’ time in terms of intended park activities and expected barriers, adapted from the Theory of Planned Behaviour, the Recreation Experience Preference scales and Leisure Constraints theory. Anticipated changes were then linked by participants to the particular societal trends impacting them. The results suggest increased activities are expected from the ‘health awareness’ and ‘independence and convenience’ societal trends, while increased barriers are expected from ‘climate

change’, ‘perceived safety’ and ‘population and urban growth’. Overall, the percentage of participants reporting future increased activities at parks is equal to those reporting future barriers; which suggests potentially that there will be no net participation change over time. The management implications, limitations and potential future research agenda stemming from the study are discussed.

Published Annals of Leisure Research Download www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/1 0.1080/11745398.2018.1500923 Cost $42.50 (USD)

URBAN GREEN SPACES, RECREATION AND SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES (2018) Author Joshua W R Baur Article Abstract This paper presents a conceptual discussion of the relationship between urban and urban proximate nature areas, recreation and spiritual experiences.

The paper’s discussion is grounded in scholarship that proposes links between nature-based recreation, spirituality and general health. Though prior scholarship has occurred primarily in the context of wilderness and remote area recreation, some scholarship has focused on urban green spaces like gardens. This paper adopts an urban nature spaces focus in response to the phenomenon of increasing global urbanization. Many city residents often have limited access to remote nature sites that offer healthy responses to the stresses of urban living. Urban green space may provide similar salubrious experiences as remote settings and have the added advantage of being conveniently located for city dwellers. By considering the potential contribution of urban natural spaces to spiritual experiences, scholars and natural resource managers can further develop a more integrated and comprehensive understanding of the costs and benefits of urban nature to inform management discussions.

Published Leisure/Loisir, 42:2. pp 205-229 Download www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/1 0.1080/14927713.2018.1449131 Cost $42.50 (USD)

FAMILY LEISURE FUNCTIONING: A CROSS-NATIONAL STUDY (2018) Authors Camilla J Hodge, Ramon B Zabriskie, Jasmine A Townsend, Dennis L Eggett and Raymond Poff Article Abstract The purpose of this study was to, first, determine whether positive relationships between family leisure (involvement and satisfaction) and family outcomes (cohesion, adaptability, family functioning, and satisfaction with family life) were present in a multinational sample, and second, determine whether the core and

balance model could provide a consistent framework for between country comparisons of relationships between family leisure and family outcome variables cross nationally.

Families were recruited from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Data were analysed using blocked multiple regression models, and generalized linear models to compare relationships across countries. Overall, findings indicated positive relationships between family leisure and family outcomes were consistent across all five countries.

Some differences in relationship strength, not directionality, occurred primarily in family leisure involvement rather than family leisure satisfaction.

Published Leisure Sciences, 40:3. pp 194-215 Download www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/1 0.1080/01490400.2016.1203847 Cost $42.50 (USD)

TOP 10 REASONS WHY CHILDREN FIND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY TO BE ‘UNFUN’ (2018) Author Christine J Hopple Article Abstract “That was so fun!” is a phrase that physical education teachers and coaches will likely never get tired of hearing from children. Without fun, youth are unlikely to voluntarily engage in physical activity. While the notion of fun (i.e., enjoyment) in physical activity has been increasingly studied over the past few decades, there has been surprisingly less emphasis given to its counterpart of non-enjoyment, or “unfun.” While research findings and practical experience suggest that things such as running laps and not getting to play when on a team are nonenjoyable, little is known about youths’ perspectives on non-enjoyment of activity beyond this. In view of American youths’ low activity-participation rates, as well as the still-too-high obesity/overweight rates for youngsters, understanding their perspectives on their non-enjoyment of physical activity is an important endeavour. This article describes the results of research activities (a survey, drawing, and focus group and duo interviews) that were conducted with students in grades four, five, and six to elicit their thoughts on non-enjoyment of physical activity. Themes resulting from analysis suggest that lack of skill, an overemphasis on competition and winning, and feelings of pain are major factors hindering children’s enjoyment of activity. Contextual factors such as teachers’, coaches’, and classmates’ behaviours (eg. arguing and fighting) during activity sessions also greatly impact youths’ enjoyment of activity. Implications for teachers and coaches are suggested.

Published Strategies: A Journal for Physical and Sport Educators, 31:3. pp 32-39 Download www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/1

0.1080/08924562.2018.1442273 Cost $42.50 (USD)

ACCESSIBLE TOURISM AND ITS BENEFITS FOR COPING WITH STRESS (2018) Authors Marlène Mélon, Stefan Agrigoroaei, Anya Diekmann and Olivier Luminet Article Abstract There has been an increase in research on the relationship between holidays and wellbeing in the last decade. However, only a few studies have investigated this association in seniors and the impact of holiday-related predictors of wellbeing is understudied. The aims of this study were to: 1) compare the profile of senior tourists and senior non-tourists on socio-demographic indicators, health, physical activity, and social relations, 2) compare the profile of senior tourists and senior non-tourists on wellbeing, after adjusting for control variables, and 3) examine the impact of holiday-related predictors (frequency, mean duration, frequency of physical, social, cognitive and relaxing activities, degree of perceived health benefits) on wellbeing of senior tourists, over and above the role of various relevant covariates. A sample of 4130 seniors (Mage = 68.2 years, SD = 5.8, range 60–85) filled out a questionnaire related to the last holiday, daily activities, health, and wellbeing.

Results showed that senior tourists were younger, more educated, wealthier, and healthier than senior non-tourists. In addition, the levels of wellbeing were higher in senior tourists compared to senior nontourists, after adjusting for control variables.

Hierarchical regressions analyses revealed that frequent holidays, a greater frequency of social and cognitive activities, as well as the degree of perceived health benefits were associated with higher wellbeing.

Published Journal of Policy Research in Tourism, Leisure and Events, 10:3. pp 221-240 Download www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/1 0.1080/19407963.2018.1470184 Cost $42.50 (USD)

CALL FOR ARTICLE ABSTRACTS Article Abstracts of research projects of interest to PLA members are always welcomed for forthcoming themes, in particular research relating to: • Community and Urban Planning: articles required by 08/12/2018.

• Recreation and Physical Activity: articles required by 16/03/2019.

• Parks, Gardens and Conservation: articles required by 15/06/2019.

Please forward material or enquiries to John Wood at jwcs@bigpond.net.au

Summer 2018 | AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE 61

PLA ADVISORY NEWS WORDS ANDY SMITH, PLA ADVISORY CHAIR

A

s I undertake an environmental scan of our industry, I am both amazed and heartened by the number and magnitude of quality projects and programs that fellow colleagues are involved in. For example, the regional roundup in the Spring Journal highlighted that all regions held successful conferences throughout the year, and the level of sponsorship was outstanding. Looking at the PLA Events calendar into the future, I see a number of exciting programs and seminars for the coming months.

The Journal continues to provide current articles on industry specific issues, and every reader should also review the Research Connections section to identify the latest research within our industry.

PLA Advisory has had a big year, with many projects now reaching the pointy end of finalisation. This includes an industry approach to advocacy, with a draft paper nearing completion that should be available for use for promoting key issues as part of the upcoming Federal election. The Health and Wellbeing Position Paper is also near completion and links well with the advocacy paper. PLA Advisory intends to generate a number of infographics from this work that can be used by members to advocate on a number of issues.

Once completed, these resources will be available on the PLA website.

The Green Flag Award® continues to move forward, and I expect that 2019 will be a big year for these international awards.

The Green Flag scheme recognises and rewards well-managed parks and greenspaces, setting the benchmark for the management of recreational and leisure spaces around the world. Many of our parks are of an international standard and it would be worthwhile to showcase these using the Green Flag Award® process.

The Green Flag Award® is also a good tool to check the health of your park. Consider using Green Flag Award® as part of any significant upgrade of an existing park, it will show where improvements could be made and it would be money well spent.

PLA Advisory has the role of working with PLA administration in further developing this program, and we are

also investigating ways in which we can include smart-park technology as part of the awards process.

Further details can be found at www.parksleisure.com.au/ membershipinfo/green-flag-awards Over the past few months John Wood (PLA QLD), Research Connections Editor and Chair of the Advisory Research Working Group, has worked tirelessly to make sure we have strong partnerships with publishing companies. Through John’s good work, Parks and Leisure Australia now has an agreement with Routledge (Taylor and Francis Group) to publish a range of articles, without infringing

62 AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE | Summer 2018

copyright. The Advisory Research Working Group will continue to identify other publishing companies and endeavour to set up similar agreements for the future.

A focus of PLA Advisory in the next 12 months is exploring how we as a group can establish stronger connections with the membership and ensure that we are addressing the issues that are current and important to the industry. As part of our work, PLA Advisory, with help from the PLA Board, will review the role of PLA General to ensure we are able to better tap into the extraordinary skills that exist within our membership.

UPCOMING COURSES AND EVENTS AUSTRALIA

NSW/ACT COAL LOADER GREEN ROOF PROJECT & CHRISTMAS CHEER 6 December 2018 Coal Loader Centre for Sustainability Balls Head, Waverton NSW parksleisure.com.au/events

BUSINESS OF SPORT 2-3 April 2019 Sydney, sportsleaders.com.au

VIC/TAS REGION CONFERENCE

22-24 May 2019 Queanbeyan Palerang Region NSW parksleisure.com.au/events

and Exhibition Centre leisuresummit.com.au

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC PARKS

PLA NATIONAL CONFERENCE

QLD REGION CONFERENCE

SAVE THE DATE 27-30 October 2019 Crown Perth Perth WA

6-7 February 2019 Phuket, Thailand waset.org/conference/ 2019/ 02/phuket/ICMEPR

29-31 May 2019 Toowoomba QLD parksleisure.com.au/events

INTERNATIONAL

SA/NT REGION CONFERENCE May 2019 Adelaide SA parksleisure.com.au/events

16-17 May 2019 RACV Cape Schanck Resort Mornington Peninsula VIC parksleisure.com.au/events

LEISURE INDUSTRY COMMUNICATION AND MARKETING SUMMIT AND AWARDS

NSW/ACT REGION CONFERENCE

17 July 2018 Melbourne Convention

FINA WORLD AQUATICS CONVENTION 8-10 December 2018 Caesars Windsor Resort and Convention Centre Ontario, Canada worldaquaticsconvention.com

GREATER & GREENER 19-23 July 2019 Denver, Colorado USA greatergreener.org/denver

NEW ZEALAND

IGNITE WORKSHOPS 31 December 2019 Auckland nzrecreation.org.nz/events

GREEN PAVLOVA CMEPR 2019: 21ST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MUNICIPAL

1-3 May 2019 Auckland nzrecreation.org.nz/events

#ThisGirlCanVIC

Summer 2018 | AUSTRALASIAN PARKS AND LEISURE 63

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