Breamlea Caravan Park playground upgrade design

How did the decision to replace the playground at the Breamlea Caravan Park come about? Was the community consulted?

‘Developing a new playspace area’ and ‘remove the play equipment and revegetate the area’ were arising in the Caravan and Camping Parks Master Plan, which was finalised in December 2023. The Master Plan process included a significant community consultation, which is summarised below.

• Between late 2021 and early 2022, Barwon Coast undertook a number of camper, community group, staff, Committee and stakeholder engagement activities to gather background information and identify opportunities for improvements to the caravan parks to inform the draft Caravan and Camping Parks Master Plan.
• The draft Caravan and Camping Parks Master Plan was available for public comment for 6 weeks (21 August – 2 October 2023) on the Barwon Coast website. Information sessions were also held for twelve-month permit campers and community members during this time.
• Over the public consultation period, Barwon Cost received 97 completed surveys and 15 email submissions and spoke to over 270 people at the camper and community information sessions.
• The final Barwon Coast Caravan and Camping Parks Master Plan, released in late 2023, was refined and updated following community, camper and stakeholder input gathered during the consultation activities.
• The final CCPMP included the below two actions for Breamlea (page 17):
  • Remove the play equipment and revegetate the area
  • Develop the new playground(in the location currently proposed)

Following the finalisation of the Caravan and Camping Parks Master Plan (CCPMP), Barwon Coast built the actions laid out in the Master Plan into its budget, operational and funding process, which included the two playground-related actions.

The upgrades to the two Riverview Caravan Park playgrounds were completed in late 2024, with two all-new play areas; one designed for older children (6–12 years) and one for younger children (2–6 years). The playgrounds feature accessible swings, sand play, landscaping, and public artworks, with Wadawurrung culture meaningfully incorporated. This includes naming the play spaces in Wadawurrung language – Yaluk (river) and Kunuwarra (black swan).

Planning for the new Breamlea Caravan Park playground commenced in 2024, which included community consultation to gather feedback on the design of the playground.

Has the final Caravan and Camping Parks Master Plan been altered from previous versions?

Yes, the final version was updated following community and stakeholder consultation.

The first version, released in August 2023, was a draft Master Plan, which was released to the community for comment for six weeks (21 August – 2 October 2023) on the Barwon Coast website.

Following the community engagement process around the draft Master Plan, which included 7 drop-in information sessions, 97 survey responses, email submissions and stakeholder, staff and committee workshops, the draft Master Plan was updated, and subsequently endorsed by the Barwon Coast Committee of Management.

The final Master Plan was released in December 2023, with those changes reflected.

The Community consultation report, also released in December 2023, includes community feedback and how it is reflected in the final plan.

Where was the community engagement about the location of the playground?

Community engagement around the location of the new playground was a part of the Caravan and Camping Parks Master Plan, which included several stages of consultation between 2021 and 2023. In the draft Master Plan, released in mid-2023, the location was proposed for the area near the Breamlea Community Hall/Camp Kitchen. Following community consultation and several comments objecting to that location, the proposed location was updated to the currently proposed location, as indicated on the map in the final Master Plan, which can be found on page 17.

Is this consultation genuine?

Yes. Barwon Coast has been genuine in asking for camper and community feedback on the playground design – we wanted to know what you like, what you don’t think works, and community priorities for the new playground. This is referred to as the ‘scope’ of the consultation.

This consultation is not about whether the project should proceed, as that was addressed during community consultation for the Caravan and Camping Parks Master Plan; we are seeking camper and community priorities and preferences around the design of the playground.

The level of consultation for this project under our community engagement participation spectrum as found in our Community Engagement Framework which is in line with the International Association for Public Participation’s Public Participation Spectrum, is ‘consult’, as the community interest is high, and the community impact as ‘medium’ (as the playground is located in the Breamlea Caravan Park, and designed for use by campers and permit holders, not the broader community).

Didn’t the community suggest relocating it near the office?

No, in fact, the community feedback indicated a desire not to have the location near the office as it appeared in the draft Caravan and Camping Parks Master Plan. Some examples of verbatim feedback we received in the community survey are below:

“If casual sites will be in that area it makes sense to leave the park close to those casual sites. The park and basketball court are used a lot and it makes sense to leave them where they are not move them to a small segregated area”

“The playground is safer where it currently is, there is more car traffic in the new proposed spot and would create an unsafe location for young children to be playing. It also has very convenient access to toilet blocks and the office.”

“My way of thinking is that the playground should stay in it current location or in that general area. This is because it gets used more by the casuals/holiday visitors, and not used very much by the TMP’s. Moving it will create more noise and people traffic within the TMP’s area.”

Which trees will be removed, and why?

As part of the playground upgrade, two trees will need to be removed to ensure the safety of campers, community members and staff.

The trees that will be removed are:

• A small Banksia integrifolia (Coast Banksia) near the BBQ area
• A small Eucalyptus viminalis (Manna Gum) near the amenity block on the eastern side

The large tree, located behind the amenity block, will not be removed.

The playground has served well where it is for many years – why move it?

The current location of the playground was not the preferred location as it is next to a beach access path, which was flagged as a risk for children. Additionally, the site has low passive observation opportunities, meaning it’s harder for parents to be able to see and supervise their children.

Playgrounds are typically co-located with amenities blocks within caravan parks to support passive supervision and ensure children have convenient access to bathroom facilities.

Are you losing too many campsites?

While the proposed playground location would result in the removal of two existing campsites, the current playground area will be rehabilitated and made available for two new campsites. As a result, there will be no net loss in the total number of casual campsites.

Why is the draft playground design marked ‘not intended for construction purposes’?

This is included because they are concept plans, not final construction documents. The designs have been prepared for community consultation purposes. Following consultation, required changes will be made to the designs and progressed to more detailed design suitable for tendering and subsequent construction

How will you mitigate the risks of the proposed playground location?

We acknowledge community feedback about the playground’s proximity to the amenities block entrance and have reviewed the design carefully in response.

The updated design includes:

• A continuous barrier between the playground and the amenities block. This will be made up of a mix of elements, including fencing, screening, planting, and other landscape features.
• Additional screening and landscaping, extending the garden to create a natural buffer between the playground, the amenities block, and the BBQ area.
• Revised equipment layout, placing the main play structure on the far side of the playground to further support child safety and comfort.

These changes ensure there will be no direct access from the toilet block to the playground. In addition, the amenities block is scheduled to be replaced in coming years as part of the Caravan and Camping Parks Master Plan, subject to funding.

Are you still going to keep the playground that is currently in the park?

No; the existing playground is ageing, in poor condition and no longer meets current safety and accessibility standards, and will be removed as per action 1 in the Breamlea section of the Caravan and Camping Parks Master Plan, on page 17.

Why does the playground need to be replaced?

The current playground is outdated, no longer meets modern safety or accessibility standards, and is in poor condition.

How can community feedback influence the design?

Following camper and community feedback, the following updates have been made to the design of the playground:

• The playground design has been refined with additional screening, fencing, updated garden placement, and a revised layout of play equipment.
• The large Tuart tree has been retained as an important feature of the site.

Why are trees being removed?

An independent arborist determined that the large tree poses a safety risk due to compromised structural integrity. The smaller trees are damaged and diseased, and their removal is necessary for safety reasons.

What is being done to replace the removed trees?

At least seven new trees will be planted within the Breamlea area managed by Barwon Coast, to help preserve and enhance the local environment.

When will the works be carried out?

Works are expected to start in October 2025 and finish before the summer peak season.