Our Open Space Asset Management Plan schedules renewal dates for our playgrounds. This date is determined when a new playground is installed, based on its expected useful life.

Each year, a budget is allocated for all playground renewals that are identified in our Open Space Asset Management Plan as requiring replacement.

No, not necessarily. Council staff inspect upcoming playground renewals to assess their functionality. In some cases, they may recommend deferring a playground renewal (or specific equipment) because it’s in good, safe condition.

Also, in cases where the playground isn’t highly visited, we might hold the renewal to talk to the community about how they use the space before deciding how we proceed. In other cases, a playground renewal might happen earlier than its scheduled time to coincide with a reserve upgrade or other works.

We consider the reserve and playground location and classification hierarchy, its intended use (in the Community Land Management Plan), age, functionality, quality, demand and visitation, the existing play footprint, and the current and future demographics of the area. Feedback from the community over time as well as prior to the renewal will also influence the play design alongside industry standards and best practice, and new and developing play trends.

Our Open Space Strategy 2025 sets out three playground ‘hierarchies’ (classifications) – neighbourhood, district and regional, smallest playground type to largest playground type respectively.

These classifications guide the size of the playground (footprint), amount of equipment, types of equipment and 'play value'. They also guide how much money can be spent on the playground.

• Neighbourhood: The playground will cater for a local area so it will be within walking distance and is easily accessible to locals. It could be small but sturdy and relatively basic, with only a few pieces of equipment. They are generally targeted at a younger demographic and are in walking distance. A higher-level neighbourhood playground might include more unique play features that increase play value and are more appealing. Example: Nedford Reserve Playground.
• District: The playground should be good quality, creative and unique, offering an appealing play experience. It should cater for various age groups and abilities and be well located to potentially attract and benefit people from across several areas, not just local or nearby suburbs eg Collins Reserve
• Regional: The playground should include several pieces of unique, innovate or quality equipment and covers a large footprint. It will cater to a range of age groups and abilities, contain many different play elements and activities, and integrate with landscaping and artwork. These playgrounds are in highly visited areas and have the potential to attract and benefit people from across and beyond the city eg Point Malcolm Reserve.

We will not consider the following aspects as part of a playground renewal project:

• The playground renewal budget
• The size of the playground and its footprint
• Adding more or significantly larger play features
• Playground fencing, unless its due for replacement at the same time or included as part of an upgrade.
• New reserve features and amenities, unless specifically listed as being included. This includes features like shade sails/shade structures, BBQ’s, shelters & picnic settings, public toilets, water fountains or water features, and/or fitness equipment or sporting accessories.

If you believe there is a high demand for any of the above elements at your local reserve, we encourage you to contact us on 8408 1111 to lodge a request for future consideration. Alternatively, you can contact your local elected ward member who can consider lodging a budget request for the improvements in an upcoming financial year.

We generally don’t include the installation of additional playground and reserve features as part of a renewal. These elements would be considered when doing minor reserve improvements as a result of a dedicated budget bid, or as part of a major reserve upgrade.

Playground renewals are limited by the size of the original playground footprint and the budget for replacement equipment.

The feedback you share with us during playground renewal consultation will be used by our playground designers (Landscape Architects) to create a new, replacement playground. This is your opportunity to inform what equipment the new play space might include or how it might look or feel.

We want to know if and how you use the current playground, how you like to play, and if you think there is something missing from the current playground that we should consider in the renewal if we can, or as part of future reserve improvements.

If you are aware of a special need or play requirement in your community then let us know about that in your feedback, too.

Requests for specific elements in your feedback are noted and considered, however we may not be able to include them in the renewal design for various reasons. If we can’t consider your specific request, it’s helpful for us to understand what features you or your family enjoy when planning other nearby playground renewals.

The final design will balance all feedback received, and other factors such as the existing elements and space, universal design principles, accessibility and inclusivity (all abilities and ages equipment), and budget, as well as considering community feedback and requests wherever possible.

We will only notify participants of the consultation process and followers of this Your Say Charles Sturt project page when the final playground design is available to view.

This is because we don't want to continue contacting community members who don't have an interest in this project.

If you want to see the final design, but don't want to share any feedback, participate in the engagement activities, or follow the project page, then we suggest you check back here early to mid 2026 for updates.

We allow a year to start the playground replacement construction in the financial year indicated for the renewal eg July 2026 to end-June 2027. However, we usually try to get all of the playgrounds replaced in the first six months of the financial year. The timeframe to complete will depend on the availability of the play equipment and contractors.

We will notify playground users, reserve visitors and the local area before construction is due to commence through onsite signage at the reserve.