What we heard from Stage 1 consultation:
Stage 1 - What's happening?
We'll be replacing the entire playground, play shade structure, fitness equipment and public toilet facilities in Inlet Reserve in the 2027/28 financial year. The new playground and fitness equipment will be 'like for like' replacement - meaning the area won't necessarily be larger or have more equipment, but it will be more modern and inclusive.
You're invited to share your feedback now, so we can understand what's most important to you about the outdoor play and fitness areas you visit and what activities and features you enjoy. We would also like to understand if you have any concerns about the removal of the old toilet block and relocation of new public toilet facilities closer to the play area.
Read on to learn more, then get involved by completing the online feedback activity. We also have a printed playground activity book to enable young and creative people to participate - or really anyone young at heart - and we appreciate your support to visit a participating location in our city where they can be involved, or to collect and return a book by 15 October 2025. You can also visit us at the reserve on Saturday, 4 October if you prefer to chat in person.
The feedback you share will be used to help shape this play and fitness space, not only for you but for future visitors to the reserve over the next 15 to 20 years.
About the reserve
Inlet Reserve is on the corner of Military Road and Trimmer Parade, next to West Lakes. It offers a variety of features for the community to enjoy, including:
- A large playground with shade, and fencing to the south of the playground
- Shelters, with picnic tables, electric BBQ, seating and bins
- Fish cleaning station
- Lake-side footpath connections with lighting
- Public toilet facilities
- Large, irrigated grassed area with perimeter landscaping
Dogs can be exercised off-leash in the open space reserve area as well, provided they stay at least 5m away from the playground and social areas and are under effective control.
Off-road car park parking is available off Trimmer Parade.
This playground is a smaller style 'Regional' playground and should cater for various age groups. They often have more than one play area (eg junior or senior or broken into smaller areas), with lots of unique and diverse play equipment and special play features for everyone. Point Malcolm is a nearby regional playground, albeit a much larger 'Regional' site than Inlet Reserve.
Existing play and fitness
What will be considered?
What is included or can be considered in this play space renewal?
- Replacement of all existing play equipment in the playground area
- Replacement of all existing fitness equipment (which may move within the reserve)
- Softfall will be replaced - this might include bark chip or rubber
- Playground shade structure will be replaced
- Existing public toilets will be removed, and replaced with new, public facilities closer to the existing play and fitness area
- New tree planting, landscaping or more greening opportunities, where suitable, to provide natural shade, increase our canopy cover, and for biodiversity and urban cooling.
- Accessibility and inclusivity principles will be considered in the new reserve features - particularly if additional funding can be secured - with a view to improve access and inclusion for all, for example better paths, helpful signage and inclusive equipment types for all.
What's not included:
- Amenities like seating, new shelters, BBQs, drink fountains, and picnic settings.
- Sports accessories, such as goals, rings, hardcourts, etc.
- Changes to the current irrigation - the irrigation is currently scheduled for renewal in 2027/28.
If you feel any of these elements should be considered here, you can share this feedback on our Customer Portal by selecting 'Feedback' and specifying what you're requesting at this reserve and why. This feedback is considered in future reserve upgrades or improvements.
Otherwise, you can also contact your local elected member who may put in a request for the money in the annual budget process to deliver these improvements separatley.
Drop into any of the participating locations below to pick up and return your activity book. When you submit your book, you can collect a City of Charles Sturt "Play Influencer" Certificate that recognises your contribution to our playground designs!
📅 Just remember to return completed activity books by 5pm Wednesday, 15 October 2025
If you can't drop your book off in person, you can send it to us by post or email and include your postal address so we can post your Certificate of Participation:
📧 engagement@charlessturt.sa.gov.au
📬 City of Charles Sturt, ATT: Community Engagement, Playground Renewals, PO Box 1, Woodville SA 5011.
📍Participating locations:
- All City of Charles Sturt Libraries
- Selected City of Charles Sturt Community Centres, listed below
- 19 on Green
- Bower Cottages Community Centre
- Seaton Community Centre
- Findon Community Centre
- Ngutungka Henley
- Ngutungka West Lakes
- City of Charles Sturt Civic Centre (Woodville Road)
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Online View: Play Influencer Activity BookPDF (3.04 MB)This online version is for viewing only, so you can decide if you or someone you know might prefer to share feedback this way.
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Printable Version: Play Influencer Activity BookPDF (8.73 MB)
This printable version makes is possible to print the activity book at home. We suggest printing it as A4, in colour and double-sided, then stapling it together as a booklet.
If you can, though, we recommend visiting a participating location to pick up a printed copy for the best experience.
