Wilson Rd Reserve Final PoM - City of Fairfield · Management (PoM) for Wilson Road Reserve (also known as Bonnyrigg Park), and was adopted by Fairfield City Council on 02 December

prepared for Fairfield City Council

Wilson Road Reserve

Plan of Management

12 January 2004

Wilson Road Reserve

prepared by Spackman and Mossop withSuter & Associates

for

Fairfield City Council

12 January 2004

Plan of Management

SPACKMAN & MOSSOP

PTY LTD ACN 065 578 985

LEVEL 2, 3 OXFORD STPADDINGTON NSW 2021

PO BOX 880DARLINGHURST NSW 2010

tel: 61 2 9361 4549 fax: 61 2 9361 4569 web: www.spackmanmossop.com.au email: [email protected]

WILSON ROAD RESERVE

Plan of Management v

WILSON ROAD RESERVE

Plan of Management v

This document has been prepared by Spackman and Mossop (landscape architects and planners) for Fairfield City Council. The assessment of recreation supply and demand was prepared by Suter & Associates as a subconsultant to Spackman and Mossop.

The study team was guided and assisted by the following Council Officers:

Mr. Andy ChinProject Officer, City Outcomes Department

Mr. Geoff KingPlace Manager, Open Space

Acknowledgements

WILSON ROAD RESERVE

Plan of Management vii

WILSON ROAD RESERVE

Plan of Management vii

executive summary

This Plan of Management was prepared under the Local Government Act 1993 (and subsequent amendments) as an individual Plan of Management (PoM) for Wilson Road Reserve (also known as Bonnyrigg Park), and was adopted by Fairfield City Council on 02 December 2003.

Wilson Road Reserve is located in the suburb of Bonnyrigg Heights, in the Fairfield Local Government Area. This PoM describes the current condition of the Reserve as well as providing priorities, directions and guidelines for the future use, development and management of commu-nity land contained in the Reserve.

The most important findings in the development of this PoM are sum-marised below:

Natural Features

Wilson Road Reserve features native vegetation remnants which are widely appreciated by the community as one of the Reserve’s main assets. These remnants belong to the “Cumberland Plain Endangered Ecological Community” (CPEEC) which is protected under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act. Community land has an impor-tant role to play in the ongoing protection of endangered ecological communities due to the limitations to vegetation conservation on pri-vately owned and managed land. In addition, an ecological assessment of the remnants in the Reserve has found that they would respond well to regeneration measures and the community has expressed an interest in participating in conservation activities.

A further important and popular element in the Reserve are two existing watercourses (Wilson Creek and a small tributary) and a former dam, all protected under the NSW Rivers and Foreshores Improvement Act. Wilson Creek is part of the larger creek system in Fairfield, linking the Reserve to a number of other open space areas and offering the poten-tial for improved recreational connections along the creek system. The creeks provide not only recreational amenity but also educational poten-tial. This has been acknowledged by existing Council strategies and pro-grams which could be extended to the Reserve, by building on existing natural features.

Historic and Current Uses

Little is known of the Reserve’s use by the Aboriginal population, but it can be assumed that the shallow creek was probably an important food resource for the local people. After the arrival of European settlers, the area was widely used for agricultural activities which would have resulted in the creation of the small farm dam on the site, as well as the Reserve’s largely rural visual character. Up until recently, the Reserve was set aside for flood/ drainage mitigation, but is no longer required for this

viii

WILSON ROAD RESERVE

Plan of Management ix

purpose. As a result, the Reserve remains undeveloped and contains no formal recreational facilities. In combination with a limited maintenance regime, this provides little opportunity for the community to use the Reserve.

Recreational Demand

An analysis of supply and demand of recreational facilities in the local area has found that a variety of junior football codes, particularly rugby league, have experienced rapid growth in recent years. As a result, exist-ing playing fields cannot cope with demand and there are conflicts with other sporting activities which can only be resolved if additional playing fields can be found.

Analysis of local population statistics has further revealed that the area has an above average percentage of families with young children, which would justify improving the Reserve to a more highly developed standard, in order to provide a neighbourhood facility which adequately addresses and meets local demand.

Community Expectations and Needs

Community consultation undertaken as part of the PoM preparation process has found that the preferred outcome for the Reserve would be the development of the Reserve in a way that achieves a balanced out-come between active recreational uses (sporting activities) and passive recreational uses (such as picnics, walking, informal play or nature enjoy-ment). Organised sporting activities are recognised for their contribution to the community, while the Reserve’s peaceful qualities are an impor-tant asset to maintain and respect.

Proposed Future Use (Reserve Masterplan)

This PoM proposes to develop and manage the Reserve in a way that provides for a wide range of activities. To this end, the design proposes a sporting focus for the western portion of the Reserve, providing an adequately sized playing field and associated facilities such as car park-ing and a small amenities building. This will permit the playing of junior rugby league (in winter) and junior cricket (in summer). Sporting facili-ties are concentrated in the western part of the Reserve, in order to pre-serve the peaceful setting and residential amenity of remaining areas.

The eastern portion of the Reserve will be more strongly focused on informal and passive activities such as walking, picnicking and the like, respecting the existing peaceful residential amenity. A large open area in this part will allow for gatherings or the informal playing of games, as well as for junior rugby league games on the weekend, should an additional playing surface be required. A small playground for younger children will also be provided adjacent to an open area suitable for pic-

viii

WILSON ROAD RESERVE

Plan of Management ix

nics and the like. The proposed hierarchy of paths, including a main cir-cuitous path system will make the Reserve widely accessible and provides links to surrounding streets and facilities.

The area in the north-eastern part of the Reserve and along the water courses is proposed to feature areas for vegetation conservation and restoration, focused around stands of existing remnants to maintain the largely open visual character within the Reserve.

A new path system that includes a number of creek crossing opportuni-ties will connect to existing access points from surrounding areas and provide a number of recreational paths that will link the facilities within the Reserve together. Path will be suitable for shared use by pedestrians and recreational cyclists and will form part of a future path network that extends along the creek corridor to other community facilities and open space.

Implementation

In order to implement and fund the design concept, the PoM proposes that Council enter into negotiations with interested local sporting clubs regarding a 21 year lease based on this PoM, over the area of the Reserve categorised as “Sportsground”. The development of the Reserve would occur in a number of stages, with the first stage providing at a minimum sporting fields, the path system, fencing for regeneration and facilities associated with sporting use (amenities building, car parking, spectator seating). Other improvements could be provided over time and on a gradual basis as additional funds become available. Typically, sporting clubs would be required to fund the construction of playing fields and associated facilities, in return for a 21 year lease authorised under this PoM, which would guarantee the sporting use of the Reserve to clubs while at the same time maintaining public access, use and man-agement input.

WILSON ROAD RESERVE

Plan of Management xi

WILSON ROAD RESERVE

Plan of Management xi

Contents

1. Introduction 1

About this study 3

Study Approach 6

2. Reserve Context 7

Location 8

Planning Context 9

3. The current situation 15

Natural Factors and Values 16

Cultural Factors and Values 21

General Community Expectations and Needs 29

Issues and Considerations 43

4. Issues and Opportunities 41

5. A Vision for Wilson Road Reserve 51

6. Management Framework 55

Categorisation of the Land 57

Specific Objectives for Wilson Road Reserve 61

Specific Management Strategies 63

7. Management Action Plan 67

8. Concept Landscape Masterplan 67

9. Appendix a: Community Survey Results

10. Appendix b: Plant and Weed List Cumberland Plain Endangered Ecological Community b-3

Weeds b-4

References

section 1.0

Section 1.0 Introduction provides an overview of the study and the Plan of Management process.

Introduction

WILSON ROAD RESERVE

Plan of Management 3

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


About this study

What is a Plan of Management?Under the Local Government Act 1993 (including subsequent amend-ments) all Councils are required to prepare Plans of Management (PoM) for community land under their management. Community land is defined as land that should be kept free for the use by the general pub-lic. It must not be sold (except in limited circumstances as per Section 25(4) of the Act), and cannot be leased for more than 21 years.

The Local Government Act 1993 provides Councils with a specific approach to the classification, categorisation and management of com-munity land. A PoM can be generic (applying to a number of relatively similar areas) or specific (applying to one park or Reserve). The proce-dures for developing PoM’s are outlined by it, including requirements for community consultation.

A PoM provides management guidelines and actions that outline the use, development and management of community land. Once adopted by Council, a Plan of Management is document providing a series of management objectives and performance targets that are legally binding to the Council. This PoM was adopted by Fairfield City Council on 02 December 2003.

Why is a PoM required? In June 2001, Fairfield City Council adopted its Generic Plan of Management for all parks in the Fairfield Local Government Area (LGA) that did not have an individual PoM at the time, including Wilson Road Reserve. Under this PoM, the majority of Wilson Road Reserve is catego-rised as a “Park”, which requires that the land be managed in a way that encourages passive recreational activities or the casual playing of games, and facilitates other cultural, social and educational pastimes and activi-ties.

Early in 2003, Fairfield City Council was approached by two local sports organisations, expressing an interest in developing and using the land for sporting purposes, in return for a possible 21 year lease.

This proposal would result in changing the main use and focus of Wilson Road Reserve towards primarily organised sport, which represents a devi-ation from the existing Generic PoM. Under the Local Government Act, a significant change in land use such as this requires the preparation of an individual Plan of Management. Preparing an individual PoM provides the forum for reviewing the role and use of Wilson Road Reserve with the aim of identifying the most suitable outcome for the Reserve.

4

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


Land to which this Plan appliesWilson Road Reserve is made up of several parcels of land with a total area of 5.92 hectares (refer to Figure 1.1). These include Lot 2 DP 881011 (Drainage Reserve), Lot 31 DP 24063 (Public Garden and Recreation Space), Lot 2 DP 856444 (Public Reserve), and Lot 78 DP 730785 (Public Reserve). All land in Wilson Road Reserve is owned by Fairfield Council.

There are several areas that are beyond the Reserve’s boundaries which have been considered within this Plan. These include the network of other open space along the creek system and in surrounding residential areas. This Plan of Management considers the actual and potential use of these lands and the linkages to Wilson Road Reserve, in order to find land use and management solutions that adequately consider access, recreation resources and integrity with the surrounding suburban fabric.

Purpose of the StudyThe main purpose of the PoM will be to provide a clear mid- and long-term direction for the future development, use and management of Wilson Road Reserve.

In particular, the Plan of Management aims to:

> Identify the cultural heritage, natural and recreation values of the Reserve, and reflect these within planning directions.

> Determine the appropriate development, character and uses of the Reserve, ensuring that these are compatible with the inherent values of the site.

> Develop appropriate management responses to the range of issues affecting the site.

> Provide immediate and long-term direction for management actions, giving a clear understanding of needs and priorities.

> Authorise work within the Reserve that contribute to the objectives of the PoM.

> Meet the legislative requirements of the 1993 Local Government Act and other relevant legislation.

The main outcomes of the study are:

> A clear statement of development and management priorities in the form of an Action Plan.

> A strategic design and landscape development direction for the Reserve, in the form of a Landscape Master Plan that will be imple-mented over the immediate and longer term.

dra f t

4

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

�

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

�

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

Figure 1.1Lots that make up the Reserve

6

Study Approach

After being approached by local sporting clubs regarding the poten-tial future use and development of Wilson Road Reserve, Fairfield City Council decided that the most appropriate process to determine appro-priate uses and facilities for the Reserve would be through the develop-ment of a PoM. Following the calling of tenders and the review of sub-sequent submissions, Council engaged Spackman & Mossop in March 2003 to prepare the PoM for Wilson Road Reserve.

The preparation of the PoM included a number of steps, namely:

- detailed site investigations and analysis

- review of existing information and background studies

- stakeholder and community consultation

- ongoing liaison with Council.

Public consultation as part of the PoM development process aims to establish greater awareness and appreciation of Wilson Road Reserve, and ensure that the broader community supports the management and development strategies for the area. Therefore community and stakeholder involvement was an important component of the process, in order to develop planning directions that are consistent with commu-nity and stakeholder priorities.

The following consultations were undertaken as part of the PoM prepa-ration process:

Community Open Day held in Wilson Road Reserve on Saturday, 05 May 2003, from 2.00 pm to 5.00pm. Approximately 200 people attended the Day. An outline of the outcomes of the Day is provided in Section 3.

Individual meetings and/ or telephone conversations have been undertaken with key stakeholders, including the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), the Department of Sustainable Natural Resources (DSNR), Councillors and staff at Fairfield City Council, and local Sporting Groups (Edensor Park Cobras and Mt Pritchard Junior Rugby League and Little Athletics).

In accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Act and in order to facilitate further opportunities for community input and review, the Draft Plan of Management was placed on Public Exhibition for the period from Thursday 11 September 2003 to Tuesday 21 October 2003. Copies of the PoM could be publicly viewed at the Council Administration Centre, the Bonnyrigg Library and the Whitlam Library in Cabramatta. Attendants of the Open Day who had supplied their address were also individually invited to make comments. Only three written responses to the Exhibition were received by Council by the closing date for submissions (Tuesday 04 November 2003) and Council decided to adopt the PoM without any further changes.

Figure 1.2The study processes and products

Draft Plan of Management

Review by Council Staff

Final Plan of Management

Preliminary Draft PoM

Site analysis and assessment

Information review

Stakeholder and agency liaison

Community consultation

Synthesis and Analysis

Adoption by Council and Public Exhibition

6

Reserve Contextsection 2.0

Section 2.0 Reserve Context provides an overview of the locality of the Reserve as well as its planning context.

8

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


Location

Location and ContextWilson Road Reserve is located in the suburb of Bonnyrigg Heights, in the Local Government Area (LGA) of Fairfield. The Fairfield LGA lies approximately 30 kilometres south west of the Sydney Central Business District, on the Cumberland Plain. Bonnyrigg Heights is one of Fairfield’s western-most residential suburbs, with areas west of Cowpasture Road being characterised by agricultural land uses.

The Reserve has a major frontage with Wilson Road and can also be accessed from Simpson Road and Dowland Street. Additional access is via a series of pedestrian easements from Pavasovic Place and other cul-de-sacs off Mozart Place, including Haydn Place, Elgar Close and Holst Close (refer to Figure 1.3).

Discussions with Council staff have revealed that the land may have been acquired for drainage purposes, which is one of the reasons why it has remained undeveloped until now. A recent Drainage Study (“Upper Clear Paddock Creek Detention Basins and Channel Works”) determined that it was not required for detention purposes, largely due to its loca-tion high up in the catchment.

Figure 1.3Reserve location and context.

From

Syd

way

Gre

ater

Syd

ney

Stre

et

Dir

ecto

ry (

4th

edit

ion;

p. 2

89)

8

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


Planning Context

A number of planning instruments and documents affect the prepara-tion of a PoM for Wilson Road Reserve.

NSW LegislationOn the state level, several planning instruments and legislative Acts apply to Wilson Road Reserve. These are:

− the NSW Local Government Act 1993 (as amended);

− the NSW Rivers and Foreshores Improvement Act 1948;

− the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 and the Threatened Species Conservation Amendment Act 2002;

− the State Environmental Planning Policy No. 19 - Bushland in Urban Areas; and

− the NSW Noxious Weed Act 1993.

The NSW Local Government Act 1993

The Local Government Act 1993 and subsequent amendments provide for and require the preparation of Plans of Management for all commu-nity land administered by Councils. Plans of Management categorise the land as being within one or more management categories, according to their use, characteristics of the natural environment and significance to the community.

The categories for classification are ‘Natural Area’ (with subcategories ‘Bushland’, ‘Wetland’, ‘Escarpment’, ‘Watercourse’ and ‘Foreshore’), ‘Sportsground’, ‘Park’, ‘Area of Cultural Significance’, and ‘General Community Use’. Guidelines for the assignment of management catego-ries are prescribed by the Local Government (General) Regulation 1999. The current classification of Wilson Road Reserve is ‘Park’ (the manage-ment objectives can be found in Section 6).

The NSW Rivers and Forehores Protection Act 1948

The aim of the Rivers and Foreshores Improvement Act 1948 is to improve rivers and foreshores and prevent the erosion of land by tidal and non-tidal waters. It further regulates works to remove obstructions from rivers and foreshores.

Based on the definitions outlined in the Act (refer to Section 2 and 22), Wilson Creek, its bed, banks and land not more than 40m from the bank of the creek are protected under the Act (refer to Figure 1.4). Under the upcoming revised Regulation for the Act, proposals that affect these areas will require a licence from the Department of Sustainable Natural Resources (DSNR, formerly the Department of Land and Water

10

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


Conservation) even is these works are undertaken by Council. Any work proposed in the creek channel would further require a permit from Fisheries NSW.

Early in May 2003, Spackman & Mossop had several telephone dis-cussions with the Department in order to obtain input into the PoM preparation process. A letter was sent to DSNR (on 08 May 03) with a request for feedback and to clarify the Department’s position and likely requirements to ensure appropriate protection of water courses in the Reserve and downstream. To date no response has been received from the Department despite a further written request for response sent in early August.

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

�

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

�

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

Figure 1.4Impact of a 20m (dark blue) and 40m

(light blue creek buffer on the Reserve

10

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


The NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995

The aim of the Threatened Species Conservation Act and the Threatened Species Conservation Amendment Act 2002 is to protect biological diver-sity and promote Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD). It seeks to protect threatened species, populations and ecological communities directly or indirectly through the protection of their habitat. It further aims to manage the processes responsible for the species, population or ecological community becoming threatened.

The bushland remnants in Wilson Road Reserve have been identified as Cumberland Plain Woodland (refer to Flora in Section 3) which is now listed as an Endangered Ecological Community on part 3, Schedule 1 of the Act, and referred to as the Cumberland Plain Endangered Ecological Community (CPEEC).

Discussions with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) have revealed that NPWS is currently in the process of preparing a Recovery Plan for CPEEC, as required under the Act. It is anticipated that a Draft of the Plan will be available for public review in 2004, at the earliest. While the Recovery Plan will not formally affect the kinds of land uses in Wilson Road Reserve, it will provide guidelines for best management of the CPEEC. If approved, the Recovery Plan will require Councils to man-age the CPEEC according to best practice standards. Under the Local Government Act (s.36B), the affected land would have to be categorised as “Natural Area”.

Independent of the preparation of the Recovery Plan, listing of the remnants under the Act requires Council to undertake all measures to protect the endangered ecological community. Any proposal for the Reserve will have to consider the potential impacts on remnant vegeta-tion. If Council, during the development approval process, found the impacts to be significant, NPWS would need to be formally involved in the approval process.

SEPP 19 - Bushland in Urban Areas

The State Environmental Planning Policy No. 19 - Bushland in Urban Areas (SEPP 19) applies to a number of LGA’s in the Sydney and Gosford areas, including Fairfield. Its aim is to protect natural bushland in areas currently zoned public open space. Unless a Plan of Management is prepared, the policy requires Council consent prior to disturbing bush-land, which includes changes to the ecology of the area such as through alterations to drainage patterns and other processes which may lead to degradation. Prior to granting consent, Councils are required to con-sider the need to protect and preserve the bushland and be satisfied that the disturbance of the bushland is essential for a purpose in the public interest and that there is no reasonable alternative available.

12

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


The NSW Noxious Weed Act 1993

Under the Noxious Weed Act the Minister for Agriculture can declare a plant (including native plants) to be noxious in all or part of the State. Given the varying degree of problems caused by different weeds and the varying potential for them to be eradicated, the Act divides weeds into four basic management categories that determine the level of control and management required.

Wilson Road Reserve features two weed species declared noxious in the Fairfield Control Area. They are Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) and Willows (Salix spp). The responsibility of public authorities including Councils is to control weeds ‘to the extent necessary to prevent them from spreading to adjoining land’ (Section 13).

Fairfield City Council

Five Creeks Strategy

In 2001, Fairfield Council adopted its ‘Five Creeks Strategy’. The Strategy highlighted the fact that creeks are currently under-valued and that people are generally not aware of the extent of the creek system in the Fairfield LGA. Creeks and surrounding parklands were popular for rec-reation in 1920’s which included activities such as boating, fishing and swimming. Significant urban development since the 1950’s, conversion of some creeks to concrete channels and subsequent pollution have reduced the creeks in people’s minds to little more than stormwater drains. The Strategy aims at realising Council’s vision of “restored water-ways”, with “a wide range of open spaces and recreation areas con-nected into regional water, open space and recreation system” (Fairfield City Council Vision 2010).

Generic Plan of Management for Parks

In June 2001, Fairfield City Council adopted its Parks Generic Plan of Management. The Plan was a response to the Local Government Act in general and its amendments in 1999 in particular. Due to the large number of parks in the Municipality (the PoM covers approximately 200 parks and Reserves and about 150 other types of open space such as pedestrian easements) and the costs associated with preparing individual PoM’s, Council decided to prepare a Generic Plan. It provides general management strategies for the parks, based on the land use categories identified for different areas. It will be superseded by individual PoM’s when and if they become necessary (i.e. as a result of significant devel-opment proposals).

12

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


Under the Generic Plan of Management, the majority of land within Wilson Road Reserve is currently categorised as ‘Park’, while sec-tions of parkland along Wilson Creek are categorised as ‘Natural Area – Watercourse’. The Local Government Act specifies generic core man-agement objectives for these categories (they can be found in Section 6 of this report). Developing Wilson Road Reserve for use as a sporting facility will shift the management focus for large sections of the Reserve and will result in a different set of priorities and appropriate manage-ment actions.

The current situationsection 3.0

Section 3.0 The Current Situation describes the range of conditions and elements which exist in the Reserve and in the areas adjoining the Reserve boundaries, considering both natural and cultural factors.

16

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


Natural Factors and Values

ClimateFairfield lies in the Cumberland Plain which is located between the higher coastal plateau of Sydney in the east and the Blue Mountains in the west. As a result it receives much lower annual rainfall (862mm - measured at Prospect Reservoir) and greater temperature variations than coastal areas.

Landform and DrainageThe topography of Wilson Road Reserve is slightly undulating, but gen-erally forms a gentle v-shaped valley along the drainage line of Wilson Creek and its small tributary along the northern Reserve boundary. The lowest point of the Reserve is near Simpson Road (48m AHD) while the highest point is located in the south-eastern corner of the Reserve, with an altitude of almost 58m. The eastern portion of the Reserve is characterised by a noticeable slope, approximately parallel to the rear of properties in Holst and Elgar Place, while the western half of the Reserve provides a gentle ridge between the two drainage lines.

Drainage

Wilson Creek represents one of the uppermost reaches of a creek system that drains large parts of south western Sydney towards the Georges River. It emerges in Wilson Road Reserve from an outlet at the end of the pedestrian access easement in Dowland Street and flows in a north-easterly direction, bisecting the Reserve. In the north-eastern part of the Reserve it is joined by a larger tributary that follows the northern Reserve boundary, but which is piped in the western half of the Reserve. There are also some minor drainage lines which direct stormwater from resi-dential cul-de-sacs towards Wilson Creek (i.e. from Haydn Place).

North of Elizabeth Drive, Wilson Creek joins Henty Creek to become Clear Paddock Creek, which in turn flows into Orphan School Creek (refer to Figure 3.1). Clear Paddock Creek has become famous for the widely acclaimed ‘Restoring the Waters’ project, which turned a 500m stretch of concrete channel back into a natural creek line.

The catchment of Wilson Creek has been modified for past agricultural and more recent residential development, resulting in a overall urban-ised catchment. In Wilson Road Reserve, however, the major modifica-tion to the creek was the construction of a dam in the upper third of the Reserve. This was probably a part of farming operations when the Reserve belonged to one of the largest farms in the area. Today, the creek flows around the eastern part of what was once the dam wall. Other obvious modifications include the provision of earth mounds at the rear of Pavasovic Place, mostly likely intended to protect properties

Looking towards the high point of the Reserve in the south-eastern corner.

Wilson Creek south of the former dam is densely vegetated with reeds and weeds.

Flood mitigation berms in the north-eastern part of the Reserve near Simpson Road

16

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


against flooding. This indicates that stormwater runoff levels are already critical in this area. The development of the Reserve will need to ensure that runoff will not increase and adversely effect downstream properties.

Geology and SoilsThe soils of the area, like the majority of the Cumberland Plain, are char-acterised by a deep layer of Wianamatta Shale, which results in heavy clay soils that are often poorly drained and aerated, commonly forming swampy depressions.

The available information on the Reserve suggests that the original soils of the site would have largely consisted of soils of the Luddenham Soil Landscape Group, which in the local area generally occurs in an altitude range between 50m AHD and 80m AHD. Soils are shallow on hill crests to moderately deep on lower slopes and along drainage lines. They tend to have a high erosion hazard and locally impermeable subsoils are com-mon.

Along the mid to lower section of Wilson Creek, the closely related South Creek Soil Landscape Group is likely to occur. It is typical of the

Figure 3.1The creek system in Fairfield

18

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


flood plains, valley flats and drainage depressions of the Cumberland Plain. Frequent erosion and deposition are a natural phenomenon, exac-erbated by clearing and development in the creek catchment to produce highly modified and disturbed soils.

FloraPrior to European settlement, Wilson Road Reserve would have been densely vegetated with Cumberland Plain Vegetation. Little of the original vegetation remains as a result of clearing for grazing and later urban development. However, fragments of the indigenous vegetation still remain along creek corridors and are complemented by other small patches such as in parks, road Reserves and the like.

Wilson Road Reserve today is largely characterised by a mix of native and exotic grasses, with fragments of remnant vegetation which are all protected under the Threatened Species Conservation Act. These include large clumps of Sydney Coastal River-flat Forest along the northern Reserve boundary. A fragment of Spotted Gum Forest is located in the south-eastern portion of the Reserve. There are also remnant trees along Wilson Creek and re-growth of native vegetation throughout the Reserve indicates the potential for recovery of native vegetation in the Reserve (Eco Hort 1998).

River-flat Forest

River-flat Forest (also known as Sydney Coastal River-flat Forest) occurs along or in close proximity to the creeks of the Cumberland Plain, on soils of recent alluvial deposition. It is a highly diverse and variable plant community and often intergrades with other Cumberland Plain Woodland communities. On recent regional native vegetation maps prepared by NPWS, Sydney Coastal River-flat Forest is included in the “Alluvial Woodland” category.

A number of canopy species are found to dominate in different sites. Along Wilson Creek and its tributary, Spotted Gum, Grey Box, Forest Red Gum, Rough-barked Apple and Thin-leaved Stringybark provide the dominant canopy species, with less common occurrences of Cabbage Gum. The most common shrubs in the Reserve are Sydney Green Wattle, Blackthorn and Hickory, as well as Native Indigo. For a complete list of species found in the Reserve and their botanical names refer to Appendix B and EcoHort (1998).

Downstream of Haydn Place and parallel to Wilson Creek in about a 5m wide strip, Swamp Oak dominates the plant composition, with occasional occurrences of Forest Red Gum, Prickly-leaved Paperbark and Snow-in-Summer. The Creek channel is lined with Broad-leaf Cumbungi

River-flat Forest along the northern boundary of the Reserve.

Dense stands of Swamp Oak can be found in the narrow section of the Reserve along Wilson Creek.

Intact Cumber land Plain Woodland remnants (from NPWS Community Information Leaflet).

18

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


and features some indigenous species such as Water Plantain and Water Couch (Eco Hort, 1998).

Spotted Gum Forest

Spotted Gum Forest is one of the characteristic native vegetation com-positions found in the Cumberland Plain. On recent NPWS regional native vegetation mapping it is included in the category “Shale Plains Woodland”. It is the most widely distributed community in the Cumberland Plain and predominantly occurs on soils derived from the Wianamatta Shale.

In Wilson Road Reserve it is represented by a stand in the south-eastern corner (behind Holst and Elgar Place), which is dominated by Thin-leafed Stringybark. The understorey is currently mown. However, previous vegetation studies (refer to Eco Hort, 1998) suggest that the area would respond well to a combination of bush regeneration and fencing to exclude mowing. These measures would allow the native shrub and groundcover layer to regenerate.

Weeds

A number of weeds occur in the Reserve and compete with native veg-etation. Over time, weeds have the potential to significantly degrade areas of natural or remnant bushland and to out-compete native plants. Weeds are therefore a major concern from a native vegetation manage-ment point of view.

Eco Hort (1998) provide an extensive list of weeds in the Reserve, of which Blackberries and Willows are declared noxious in the Fairfield area (refer to The NSW Noxious Weed Act 1993 in Section 2).

Even though the bushland in Wilson Road Reserve is affected by weed invasion and competition, remnants demonstrate a resilience to this threat which suggests that they would respond well to bush regenera-tion measures. This applies to both the River-flat Forest along the creek line and the Spotted Gum Forest behind properties in Holst and Elgar Place.

The Importance of Bushland Remnants in Public Open Space

NPWS approximates that only about one fifth of the land originally supporting Spotted Gum Forest still retains remnant vegetation today. Similarly, only 23.4% of the original River-flat Forest remains. Only 7.7% (13.1% for River-flat Forest) of the pre-1750 vegetation remains in a state comparable to original woodlands. Of these, only 10.3 % are currently zoned as Open Space (11.5% for River-flat Forest), with

Spotted Gum Forest remnants in the higher south-eastern section of the Reserve.

Blackberries and other weeds can be found in the former dam as well as other Reserve areas.

20

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


an additional 8.4% and 4.2% being protected by a “National Park” and “Environmental Protection” zoning respectively (13.9% and 5.6% for River-flat Forest).

From a biodiversity point of view these figures mean that over 90% of original Shale Plains Forest (including Spotted Gum Forest) and over 85% of original Alluvial Woodland (including River-flat Forest) have been either removed completely or significantly modified. Of the remain-ing vegetation, only a small portion (12.6% and 19.5% respectively) is located on land where zoning provisions ensure that it can be effectively protected, including National Parks and other Environmental Protection areas. These areas represent about 1.4% and 0.9% respectively of the original vegetation cover for Shale Plains Woodland and Alluvial Woodland.

Due to the large proportion of the CPEEC that is situated on privately owned land, public open space assumes a much more important role in contributing to the protection of native biodiversity because it rep-resents about half of the overall area where remnant Cumberland Plain Woodland can be protected under current land use planning systems.

Other land use zones such as commercial, residential, agriculture or infrastructure cannot sufficiently protect native vegetation because per-mitted land uses and associated development pressures often conflict with vegetation protection objectives. Open Space on the other hand has the potential to provide a wide variety of uses and represent a wide range of community values. These values and other community expec-tations and needs determine the extent to which the provision of open space is compatible with the protection of environmental values. In deciding the most appropriate management strategy for any piece of public open space it is therefore paramount to determine what these values and expectations are.

FaunaThere is currently no formal system of recording native fauna sightings in Fairfield’s parks. Due to the heavily modified nature of Wilson Road Reserve, it can be assumed that it supports only a limited number of native animals. These are likely to include visitations from large birds common in suburban areas such as Magpies, Galahs, Sulphur-Crested Cockatoos and Noisy Minahs, as well as frogs and lizards which are often heard and seen around the creeks in the Fairfield area.

20

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


Cultural Factors and Values

History and HeritagePrior to European settlement, Aboriginal people of the Cabrogal tribe lived in the Fairfield area for over 30,000 years. While there are no specific details available on the Aboriginal cultural or archaeological sig-nificance of individual areas, it is likely that the creeks in particular were widely used by the Aboriginal population for their significance as a food source.

The European settlement of Fairfield began in the mid 19th century and was supported by the construction of the railway line in 1856. By the turn of the century, the relatively fertile soils of the region produced crops that were distributed in Sydney, and the creeks and parklands of the area provided popular recreation areas. Sydneysiders would come by train to Fairfield to row boats, swim, fish and picnic.

After the Second World War, the population of Fairfield increased rapidly and by the late 1970’ was on the way of becoming one of NSW’s larger municipalities. Associated wide-spread clearing and urban development has significantly altered many parts of Fairfield, with the creeks especially suffering as a result of increased runoff and stormwater pollution.

Anecdotal evidence by residents and Council staff indicates that the Reserve itself once formed part of one of the largest farms in the area. This information was tentatively confirmed by Fairfield Museum, whose archives confirm that the whole Bonnyrigg area was heavily use and characterised by farming.

Existing Park Uses and Facilities Currently, the Reserve is poorly maintained with no facilities, and is lit-tle used as a result. Mowing occurs only at large intervals and is mostly limited to a strip around the periphery of the Reserve. There are no formal recreational uses or facilities in the Reserve. However, informal tracks in grass around the periphery indicate that the Reserve is being used for walking and exercise (including as a short cut) and that some children may be ‘exploring’ the creek and former dam.

A number of services traverse the site and could have an impact on the potential layout and development of recreational facilities. These include public infrastructure, such as stormwater pipes and a number of sewer pipes and manholes. A transmission line easement crosses the Reserve at its northern end near Simpson Road.

Leases, Licenses and Other Agreements

There are no current leases or licences.

Mowing of the Reserve occurs only in widely-spaced intervals and currently limits recreational use.

The former dam is centrally located to the Reserve and surrounded by sparse remnant trees.

22

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


Visual Quality Currently, the Reserve is characterised by the mix of large open grassed areas and mature remnant trees which are found mainly along the creek lines and in the vicinity of the former dam. This pattern of clear-ing together with the slightly rolling topography in the Reserve cre-ates an overall character reminiscent of agricultural activities and uses which would have once dominated the area, but have now been largely replaced with suburban developments.

As such the Reserve forms a contrast with the surrounding residential areas and mature trees in particular provide visual relief from expanses of low rise single dwelling residential development. This mix of develop-ment and ‘country’ character is typical of many areas in western Sydney, on the boundary between the expanding urban fringe and agricultural land. This boundary is continually shifting further away so that the Reserve almost forms a reminder of the suburb’s former location on the urban fringe.

Another strong visual element in the Reserve are the rear fences of adjoining properties that dominate it’s southern and to a lesser degree its eastern and northern edges. The dominating effect of the fences is exacerbated by the lack of mature trees and the topography in the Reserve. These areas are located higher up than the remainder of the Reserve, so that fences seem taller and more imposing than what they are.

Local Population CharacteristicsThe main population characteristics and the implications for recreation and sport are summarised below, drawing on ABS 1996 Census Data for Bonnyrigg Heights (available through Council).

Population Characteristics Recreation and Sport Implications

Large proportion of families with children (71.4% compared to 59.7% for the City of Fairfield)

Greater demand for junior sport and therefore playing fields.

Need for areas and facilities for families, e.g. playgrounds, youth facilities, picnic areas, places to ‘kick a ball’, walking and cycling tracks, seating and shade.

The “paddock” character of the Reserve, with grasses and clumps of trees and the visual dominance of fences along some sections of the Reserve boundaries.

The openess of the Reseve towards Wilson Road allows for passive visual surveillance by passers-by.

Open views into the Reserve from access easements to surrounding streets should be maintained.

22

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


Large proportion of children (29.8% under 15 years compared to 23.9% for City of Fairfield)

Demand for sporting facilities.

Demand for playgrounds and areas suitable for children to undertake casual activities.

Highly multicultural community, e.g. 76% of population speaks a language other than English at home, and 56% were born overseas of which 54% of these are from non English speaking countries.

Likely high participation in inter-national sports, such as soccer.

Likely demand for informal games of sport, e.g. a game of touch football with extended family and friends.

Cultural and language/ informa-tion requirements.

Lower to middle income area. In relation to weekly income for indi-viduals, 10.9% of 15 years + earn no income, 27.5% earn $1-$199, 18.3% earn $200-$399, 22.3% earn $400-$599 and 14.7% earn more than $599. These income levels are slightly higher than the City of Fairfield but lower than the Sydney Statistical Division (e.g. 23.6% earned more than $599)

Need for affordable and local recreation and sport opportuni-ties, e.g. parks that have no cost associated with activities.

Relatively high unemployment (13.12% compared to 7.4% for the Sydney Statistical Division).

Reinforces the need for affordable activity opportunities.

Sporting Needs and Demand

Demand for Junior Sport

Participation in sport and particularly junior sport appears to be quite high in the area. The sporting clubs consulted all have large numbers of teams and participants that have increased steadily over the past five years. As a result there is an increasing demand for playing fields. This demand is consistent with the population characteristics and in particu-lar the large proportions of families and children in the area.

Junior Rugby League

The greatest demand in the local area appears to be for additional play-ing fields to support junior rugby league. The two local clubs consulted

24

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


have both experienced strong growth over the past five years (i.e. almost doubled over the past five years) and existing fields are inadequate, i.e. both clubs only have access to one full size playing field and this does not adequately cater for the number of teams.

The particular needs and issues raised by the two junior rugby league clubs consulted can be summarised as follows:

− The large number of teams that cannot be accommodated by a sin-gle senior field.

− The size, quality and safety of the existing facilities (fields) do not meet expectations. Grounds are being significantly damaged as a result of over-use.

− There is demand for at least one full sized field and one modified one.

− Training standard lights would be required as well as car parking and amenities linked to any new facility.

Both of the clubs consulted require a facility that has more than one full size playing field in order to better cater for the number of teams they have. As a minimum, one full sized field and one modified field one are needed at the one location so that three games can be played at a time on competition days. Ideally the sports would have two full sized fields provided.

Other Sports

In addition to demand for junior rugby league, there is also a need for junior cricket ovals. This has been raised by Council staff involved in allocating the grounds and also by local clubs. Cricket and junior rugby league are generally compatible due to the different summer and winter seasons and the lower impact nature of cricket.

Whilst there is also likely to be high participation in soccer, there are a number of private soccer clubs in the area that contribute to meeting this demand. As such, the demand for additional soccer fields is not considered to be as great as the demand for additional junior rugby league fields.

A further sporting need in the area relates to athletics. Athletics (sum-mer use) currently share a ground with junior rugby league (winter use). The high level of use in the winter months is currently impacting on the quality and safety of the athletics track. The ideal option for athletics would be to have no winter sport and enable all year use of the athlet-ics track, e.g. by schools. Alternatively, a lower impact sport to share the ground in winter would be preferred. This will only be possible if an alternative ground for rugby can be found.

A site visit in April confirmed these issues with the quality of the ground

24

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


likely to deteriorate even further, given that the site visit was undertaken prior to the junior rugby league season officially commencing. Overall, the impact on the athletics track by junior rugby league is high and needs to be addressed as a priority for safety reasons and to enable bet-ter quality provision to athletics.

It should be noted that the consultations in this study were limited to the local junior rugby league clubs, the local little athletics club and Council staff, as it was clear that the demand from these groups was high and there would be little value in raising the expectations of other groups. However, there is likely to be demand from other sports such as soccer clubs which could be considered if Wilson Road Reserve is not found to be suitable for junior rugby league.

School Use of the Reserve

Contact with the Bonnyrigg Heights Primary School, which is located on Wilson Road to the south west of the Reserve, indicated that the school would not be a key user of the Reserve. The school has two ovals and would generally not require additional outdoor sporting areas. However, it was highlighted by the school that students would use the Reserve to walk to school and therefore a walking track would need to be provided, and a playground would be good for children on their way to and from school.

Current Sport Facility Supply

Council Sporting Grounds

The City of Fairfield provides a number of sporting facilities. The 1999 Fairfield Open Space Strategy states there are 90 different playing fields, including:

Winter Summer

Soccer 52 fields Cricket 25 pitches

Rugby League 17 fields Touch 2 fields

Baseball 6 diamonds Baseball 4 diamonds

Netball 7 sets of courts

Softball 3 diamonds

Volleyball 1 set of courts Netball 5 sets of courts

Athletics 3 tracks Athletics 3 tracks

Soccer 1 field

Pony Club 1 equestrian area

Junior rubgy league and little athletics currently share one field, and heavy rugby use adversely impacts on athletics facilities.

26

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


Whilst the actual allocation could have changed since 1999, the above list shows a high commitment to sport by the Council. The 1999 study did not identify significant demand for additional playing fields, provid-ing clubs stay within existing seasonal use. However, the study did high-light the need for additional fields as ‘relief areas’ and the need for some higher standard sporting grounds.

Whilst the 1999 Open Space Strategy prepared for Fairfield Council did not highlight the need for additional sporting grounds in the Bonnyrigg Heights area, it did highlight the need for Level 2, i.e. regional sporting grounds in this area, to better cater for higher standard games.

Non Council Sporting Grounds

Sporting facilities are also provided by community clubs in the area, such as the soccer facility provided by the Assyrian and Serbian Community Clubs.

A sporting facility is also provided near Wilson Road Reserve, in the Liverpool Council area off Wilson Road (adjoining the Valley Plaza). This facility, Winnal Reserve, includes one full sized fenced rugby league field plus fields as part of a detention basin.

Tennis Courts

The 1999 Fairfield Open Space Strategy indicates that there were 70 ten-nis courts throughout the LGA at that time and that this level of provi-sion was high compared to other areas and National standards.

Indoor Recreation and Sport Facilities

The 1999 Fairfield Open Space Strategy highlights that there is currently a gap in the provision of indoor sports halls, with only one indoor sports court at the Fairfield City Leisure Centre, and other single courts being provided at schools and the PCYC.

The provision of indoor sports facilities should be linked to district cen-tres and high profile sites. As such, Wilson Road is unlikely to be an appropriate site for such a facility even if there is demand, particularly given the already high traffic volume in Wilson Road, a relatively residen-tial street.

26

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


Recreation Parks

COUNCIL RECREATION PARKS

Bonnyrigg Heights has a number of recreation parks including:

Type of Open Space Park Name

Neighbourhood Park Chaffey Place Reserve

Northumberland Street Reserve

Local Park Bizet Place Reserve

Garland Crescent Reserve

Gosse Place Reserve

Homestead Road Reserve

Middlehope Street Reserve

Minto Place Reserve

Mount Street Reserve

Penna Place Reserve

Kingholme Road Reserve

A number of the Reserves are small pieces of land that are less useable. However, a number are larger and more useable Reserves, particularly:

− Chaffey Place Reserve

− Northumberland Street Reserve

− Middlehope Street Reserve

Seven playgrounds are provided in total, although most are smaller local level playgrounds.

A major recreation park is soon to be developed by Council as part of the Bonnyrigg Town Centre. This park will include a skate park and a focus for families, picnics and play.

NON COUNCIL RECREATION PARKS

A quite significant recreation park is provided on Wilson Road, about 800m from Wilson Road Reserve. It is called Mihajlovic Park and whilst it is located in the City of Liverpool, it is relatively accessible to people in the Bonnyrigg Heights area.

Mihajlovic Park is a large recreation park with a pathway around the park, basketball throwing area, cricket nets, playground, seating, a large grassed area, a shelter and barbecue, car parking and landscaping.

28

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


Comments on the Wilson Road Site

Wilson Road Reserve is identified in Council’s Parks Generic Plan of Management as a Creek Line Park. The infrastructure and facilities that such a park may include or have the potential to include are:

− Playground and seats

− Pedestrian/ cycle path

− Areas for casual sports

− Planting and/ or remnant indigenous vegetation

− Signage and interpretation

− Fauna habitat

This description highlights that the Reserve would need to be reclassified if part of it is to be developed for sport.

28

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


General Community Expectations and Needs

From 2.00 pm to 5.00pm on Saturday, 03 May 2003, a Community Open Day was held in Wilson Road Reserve and was attended by more than 280 local residents. The aim of the open day was to obtain com-munity input to the Plan of Management and determine the needs and expectations of the community for the development of the Reserve.

Development Options and Community ResponseDuring the Open Day, the Consultants provided a display of five pos-sible development options that canvassed a wide range of strategies, from sole dedication of the park to sporting uses to conservation and enhancement of the Reserve’s natural systems. Common to all options was the opening up of the Reserve to public use through the provision of formal access and circulation systems including paths for walking and cycling, bridges and the like.

The following section provides an overview of the options presented to the Community, and the responses received to the proposals. An evalua-tion of survey results is also provided in Appendix A.

Development options on display during the Community Open Day with Q&A opportunities.

Marquees set up in the Reserve for the Open Day.

A large number of community members from surrounding areas attended the Open Day in the Reserve and enjoyed the entertainment provided.

30

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


Option 1

Characteristics Community Response

Reserve fully developed for sporting purposes.

Features two senior football fields and a senior cricket field, as well as parking and ameni-ties.

Requires piping Wilson Creek and removing the dam.

Requires clearing of endangered native vegetation other than that around the perimeter of the Reserve.

Over-development of the Reserve.

Does not allow for any quiet and private enjoyment of the park.

Large crowds and noise will be gen-erated and adversely effect residents in the area.

People are uncomfortable with removing the creek.

Will generate a lot of additional traffic where Wilson Road is already very busy. Traffic and parking short-ages will affect the amenity of resi-dents in nearby streets.

Figure 3.2Preliminary Concept Option 1

30

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


Option 2


Focus on development for sporting use.

Features a senior football field on the western side of the creek and an informal training field on the eastern side of the creek.

More natural features can be retained and the training field can still be used for informal/ passive recreation.

The option leaves room for other types of uses/ features on the eastern side of the creek.

More comfortable with this option.

Allows for other uses outside of sporting activities.

Still falls short in non-sporting facili-ties (i.e. playground and facilities for children) which are considered to be essential.

Need for more general amenity such as more shade and seating.


32

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


Option 3


Western side of the Reserve developed for organised sport-ing use.

Remainder of the Reserve dedicated to more informal and family-oriented activities such as walking, picnicking, play and relaxation.

Generally very well received with the community and most popular overall.

Balanced outcome with potential for a good mix between different types of uses and interests.

Need to ensure sporting facilities are adaptable to a number of uses so that the Reserve would be a versatile resource.


32

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


Option 4


Development of the Reserve without sporting facilities.

Funded by sub-division of the southern portion for residential lots resulting in a single-sided road along the southern bound-ary, where properties would face the park..

New residential lots provide increased passive surveillance.

Well received by a number of people that were concerned that sporting uses in the Reserve would attract too many people to the area (with associated traffic and noise prob-lems).

Some concern about losing public open space to development.

Increased surveillance beneficial.

Residents in Dowland Street who are currently concerned about secu-rity and vandalism appreciated the solution.


34

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


Option 5


Focus on the natural features and ecological values.

Conservation buffer along the creeks for regeneration of native plants.

Creates an educational resource for the community (i.e. learning about creek systems).

Remainder of the park dedicat-ed to informal recreational uses, including some open areas for picnicking, ball games etc.

Support for the idea of having a more natural park.

Support for areas that children can explore and learn about the natural environment.

Doubt over how it could be realised (funded) as well as maintained in the long term.

Concern about bush fire hazards and appropriate management.


34

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


Community QuestionnaireA community questionnaire was provided at the Open Day for people to consider and formulate their own ideas about the park. The question-naire was also posted to local residents who could return it to Council or on the Open Day. By 07 May 2003, a total of 110 completed question-naires were returned to Council. 32 of these were returned by mail and 78 were completed by community members as part of the Open Day.

The following sections represent the main findings of the questionnaire.

Need for Action

Generally the community wants the Reserve to be developed and enhanced in the near future so that the Reserve can provide a better recreation and community resource for families and children in the area. There is particular concern that the Reserve has been left undeveloped and unmown for such a long time and that there is the danger of grass fires during summer.

Only one family registered their desire for the Reserve to be left untouched (at the Community Day) due to concerns that usage would create problems and take away the existing peacefulness of the Reserve.

Balance of Sport and Recreation

The community generally accepts the concept of sport being played at Wilson Road Reserve. However, there is strong resistance to the Reserve being overly dominated by sport and a desire for an equal allocation of sport and recreation components. At the Community Day, the great-est support was for Option 3, which included a full sized playing field on the western side of the creek and an informal recreation park on the eastern side of the creek. The provision of training standard lights along the western end of the Reserve (Wilson Road) was generally not consid-ered to be a major issue.

There was a high level of resistance to Option 1, which showed the development of two full sized playing fields. It is also important to note that some people are completely against sport being provided at the Reserve due to the perceived likelihood of increased traffic, noise, van-dalism and inappropriate social behaviour.

Demand for Recreation Space

The demand for recreation space by people in the surrounding area is high. A large number of people have highlighted the need for facilities and areas that cater for recreation, particularly for children but also for adults.

36

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


Demand for Walking and Cycle Tracks

There is very high demand for walking and cycle tracks. In the survey which had 110 responses, 51 people recorded ‘cycleway’ and 50 record-ed ‘walking path’ for ‘activities they would like to see at the Reserve’ and 41 people of 57 respondents (71.9%) said they would include a walk-ing and cycle path ‘if they were asked to design the Reserve’. At the Community Day, a large proportion of people stated that walking and cycle paths should be included and a number said that paths are ‘the most important thing’.

Demand for Other Recreation Facilities

The need for a range of other recreation facilities was highlighted through both the survey and the Community Day. The main items iden-tified are as follows:

− Playground (43 survey respondents and consistently raised at Community Day)

− Picnic area (33 survey respondents)

− Basketball court for casual use (16 survey respondents and raised by a number of people at Community Day)

− Grassed area to ‘kick a ball’

− Pond area

− Trees for shade

− Seating

The provision of barbecues was as not well supported due to concerns with vandalism, although 11 people recorded BBQ in the survey.

Demand for Tennis Courts

The need for additional tennis courts in the area and the gap in provi-sion was raised by a number of people at the Community Day. 10 sur-vey respondents said that they would include tennis courts ‘if they were asked to design the Reserve’.

Need for Infrastructure

The need for various infrastructure such as bins, seats, tables, bubblers, shelters, signs and toilets was raised in the survey.

36

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


Value of the Creek and Trees

The creek line was considered to be very important to retain by a large number of people at the Community Day. Generally, community mem-bers did not want to see the creek disappear, but stressed the need for it to be improved by removing weeds, planting additional trees and the like. Some expressed interest in participating in restoration activi-ties. The trees are generally considered to be valuable and people felt that additional trees should be added to enhance the appeal of the site, providing a safe and open environment is maintained. Some people also favoured the idea of a small pond or permanent water body.

The need to retain the creek line and the natural features in the Reserve was also raised at the meeting with Council staff.

Demand for Sporting Facility

The need for a sporting facility was less a priority for most people in the community (compared to the need for a recreation park). However, 11 survey respondents said that a ‘sporting field’ would be ‘an activity they would like to see at the Reserve’ and 23 people said a ‘soccer field’. 23 respondents also said that they would include a soccer field ‘if they were asked to design the Reserve’.

Also, a small proportion of people at the Community Day were strong supporters of sport and a large number of people recognised the need to provide for sport from a wider community perspective. A large number of people at the Community Day supported sport providing it did not dominate and on the basis that the potential impacts of a sporting field are appropriately managed. There was some concern that opening up the Reserve could attract anti-social behaviour (i.e. graffiti on facilities as well as property fences) and impact negatively on natural features.

Many people requested sporting alternatives to soccer and rugby league, including basketball, tennis, exercise stations, netball, skating or BMX bikes.

Traffic and Car Parking

The existing high levels of traffic along Wilson Road and the potential for increased traffic if there is sport was raised as a major issue by a number of people at the Community Day. People are concerned that traffic will increase and it is already considered to be a problem.

The issue of car parking and the appropriate amount and location of car parking was also raised by a number of people at the Community Day. Most people thought that parking would need to be accommodated

38

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


within the Reserve but were concerned that it may not be possible to provide sufficient parking in the Reserve.

People are concerned that traffic will be parked along Wilson Road and that this will create major safety issues, e.g. road narrowing and children running across the road to cars. Another issue was the difficulty for pedestrians in crossing Wilson Road and therefore children’s safety. The appropriate entrance point for a car park was also raised, with concerns that the entrance opposite the T junction would be a traffic hazard, including for emergency vehicles entering at that point.

Concerns about Vandalism

One of the greatest concerns is that the development of the Reserve, and particularly its development for sport, will create issues with vandal-ism, graffiti and general noise and social issues, including cars being driven onto the ground. This highlights the need to design and manage the Reserve to minimise impacts on surrounding residents. Buffer zones and planted setbacks are therefore critical.

Dogs

A number of people raised the need for an off leash dog area, and high-lighted that people walking dogs in the area need to be catered for.

Demand for Other Community Facilities

The need for other community facilities such as a swimming pool, an indoor centre, squash court and gymnasium was raised by some people through the survey and the Community Day. Other facilities mentioned included exercise stations, cricket nets, educational facilities, a kiosk or corner shop and facilities for older children and teenagers.

Analysis of Supply, Demand and Expectations

Sport

The analysis as part of this PoM has found that, in relation to sport, the greatest demand is currently for additional playing fields to cater for junior rugby league. The demand is for at least one full sized field plus a modified field. There would also need to be lights for training and an amenity would need to be provided for competitions as well as car park-ing. The provision for junior rugby league can also provide for junior cricket, for which there is also demand.

The provision of one field on its own at Wilson Road Reserve is unlikely

38

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


to change the situation greatly for the clubs concerned. If only one field can be provided, it is important to realise that either the field will only be suitable for training, or the use of the field would need to be extend-ed, for example from 8am – 6pm on a Saturday compared to 9am-3pm if there is one more modified field to ‘spread the load’. However, if an additional modified field is provided, the traffic and parking issues are likely to be greater over the shorter period of time. This is a manage-ment issue that needs to be considered by Council.

The study has also found that the impact by junior rugby league on the little athletics track at Bosnjack Park should be addressed as a priority due to safety and service issues. This suggests that, if sporting fields are developed at Wilson Road Reserve, these grounds should either be allocated to the Edensor Park Cobras or another ground should be made available for the Edensor Park Cobras if another club is allocated Wilson Road Reserve.

The two junior rugby league clubs that have expressed an interest in being allocated the use of playing fields at Wilson Road Reserve are Mount Pritchard Junior Rugby League and Edensor Park Cobras. There is therefore an opportunity to work in partnership with a community club to develop the Reserve for sporting and community use.

Whilst the supply findings in this study imply that there should not be a significant demand for additional playing fields, it is important to realise that these findings are based on a 1999 study, and that demand for junior rugby league in the local area has increased significantly over the past 3-5 years. In this instance, the demand findings are more reflective of the current situation.

Recreation

The study has found that there is community demand for a recreation park as part of the development of the Wilson Road Reserve. People are keen for the Reserve to provide a higher quality and more substantial recreation park with a range of recreation facilities such as pathways, playground, picnic area, outdoor court, seating and shade, as well as ‘natural’ components such as the creek line and trees. However, a large proportion of people also understand the need to provide for sport and the concept of a Reserve that has a balanced provision of sport and rec-reation is generally acceptable.

There is also likely to be demand for a grassed area that can be used for casual games of sport. This could justify the provision of a space that can also be used for formal junior sport as an overflow for the main field. This space could be designed to look less formal and would not require lights or amenities. Its use for formal sport could be managed

40

to reduce the impacts on surrounding residents and address the traffic issue, e.g. used at certain times such as earlier in the morning when traf-fic along Wilson Road is less an issue.

Whilst there are a number of other recreation parks in the area, the provision of a more substantial park at Wilson Road Reserve has some justification due to the large proportion of families and children in the area, the central location of Wilson Road Reserve and its potential links to the surrounding housing. Nevertheless, the large amount of other recreation parks in the area could make it difficult to justify allocating the whole of Wilson Road Reserve to a recreation park.

As a major park is to be developed near the Bonnyrigg Town Centre, there is less need for facilities that are to be located in that park, such as a skate park, more substantial picnic facilities and more substantial play facilities. The overall hierarchy of provision needs to be considered, where Wilson Road Reserve can provide a significant neighbourhood park focus with paths, play facilities and areas to sit, relax and eat, but does not need to cater for the wider district or incorporate major devel-opment.

Other Sport and Recreation Facilities

Whilst tennis courts were raised as a demand by some people in this study, the provision of this type of facility and particularly a more major tennis complex would be difficult to justify given the high level of provi-sion in the City of Fairfield. The viability of any such development would need to be considered.

Whilst the demand for indoor sports facilities was raised and also previ-ously raised in the 1999 Fairfield Open Space Strategy, the Wilson Road Reserve site is unlikely to be appropriate for such a significant facil-ity (a district centre site is likely to be more appropriate). In addition, increased traffic in a residential area would be an issue.

Access

If Wilson Road Reserve is to be a safe and accessible park, regardless of who the users are, i.e. sport or recreation, consideration should be given to providing a pedestrian crossing over Wilson Road due to the amount of traffic on this road. The appropriate amount of car parking and the safe location of any car parking should also be considered.

40

section 4.0Issues and Opportunities

Section 4.0 Issues and Opportunities summarises the variety of existing values, issues and constraints that will influence the future of the Reserve.

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


WILSON ROAD RESERVE


Issues and Considerations

Position in the Open Space System

Issues

> Currently the Reserve lacks recreation links to other community facilities including local schools, community centres and other open space areas along the creeks and regional facilities such as Fairfield City Farm and Western Sydney Regional Park.

> The role of the Reserve as a part of the park system along the creeks is poorly articulated.

> Despite the large size of the Reserve, its current undeveloped state leaves the potential for a diverse range of recreational activities unrealised.

> The current positioning of the Reserve at the lower end of Council’s open space hierarchy does not allocate significant resources to develop the Reserve.

> The large portion of families with children in the area would justify more substantial recreational facilities to be provided in the Reserve.

Opportunities and Constraints

• Linkages to other facilities and open space could be established through the provision of continuous on-road and off-road path sys-tems. These could be designed as shared paths for pedestrians and cyclists.

• Review the Reserve’s role in Council’s open space hierarchy now that it is clear that it is not needed for drainage or detention pur-poses. Upgrade resource and maintenance allocations/ priorities accordingly.

• Dedicating part of the land for sporting use could provide the incentive and resources to better realise the Reserve’s potential and act as a catalyst to develop more structured facilities and links to other open space.

Reserve Profile and Use

Issues

> The Reserve is underused because its current shape and mainte-nance regime (i.e. infrequently mown) offer limited potential for use. Parents see themselves forced to drive children to other recrea-tional facilities because the local park is difficult to access and has little to offer.

> The large number of back fences around the Reserve’s perimeter

44

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


limit the Reserve’s relationship to surrounding residential areas and provide little passive surveillance.

> The Reserve provides a peaceful environment. New activities in the park may cause disturbance and create noise affecting the amenity of nearby residents, but may reduce antisocial behaviour such as the lighting of fires.


• Opening up the Reserve for recreational use and creating improved visual access and passive surveillance would increase safety and deter anti-social behaviour.

• There is the need to establish a balance between recreational facili-ties and uses which respect the quiet and peaceful environment that currently exists.

• New facilities can be located in parts of the Reserve along Wilson Road Reserve, so that residential amenity is least affected by noise, lights and through traffic.

Access

Issues

> The Reserve is easily accessible via easements from surrounding residential areas, however, these links remain largely informal and ill-maintained.

> The lack of formal access and paths within the Reserve limits the use of the park for large sections of the community (i.e. the elderly, prams/ small children, wheel chairs, bicycles etc.).

> Wilson Road is already a very busy street and does not offer suf-ficient parking opportunities for large numbers of people to visit the Reserve.


• Increased use of the Reserve will generate additional traffic which should be accommodated in a way that minimises adverse effects on surrounding residents.

• Any additional facilities in the Reserve need to be complemented by the provision of off-street parking.

• Pedestrian safety on Wilson Road needs to be ensured and may require additional crossings and other measures to protect children and other Reserve users from potential conflicts or accidents.

The majority of easements provide informal access only and there is no formal circulation system within the Reserve.

44

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


Social Issues

Issues

> Anti-social behaviour and vandalism affects other open space areas in the LGA and occasionally this Reserve.


• Design the Reserve in a way that maximises public ownership, encourages regular usage and provides passive surveillance to dis-courage similar kinds of activities in Wilson Road Reserve.

Cultural heritage

Issues

> The Reserve has associations with the local history of agriculture, farming and popular recreation which are rapidly disappearing in the LGA.

> The Aboriginal history of the Reserve is not know, but it can be assumed that the shallow creeks provided a frequently used resource.


• Consider designing new facilities in a way that respects existing remnants of cultural heritage in the Reserve, including the creek, dam and the agricultural pattern of pasture and remnant trees.

• Consider interpretative elements that inform users of past activities in the area, for example pre-European history, farming activities or the early 20th century popularity of creek systems for public recrea-tion.

• Attempt to uncover more information about the Aboriginal past and uses of the Reserve. Currently, no specific information is avail-able. Update the Plan of Management when more detailed infor-mation becomes available and incorporate the information into interpretative structures or signage in the Reserve.

The dam is a reminder of wide-spread agricultural uses of the Bonnyrigg area in the past.

46

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


Natural systems

Issues

> Existing remnant vegetation is protected as an Endangered Ecological Community.

> Ecological studies found that remnants in the Reserve have good potential for recovery/ regrowth and would respond well to regen-eration measures.

> Both existing vegetation and the creek system are widely valued by the community as an asset in the Reserve. ‘More nature’ in the Reserve is considered desirable by large sections of the community.

> The ecological role of the Reserve within the urban area remains unknown (no fauna data has been collected), but there may be habitat potential due to the relatively minor modifications to the creek system in the Reserve.

> Weeds affect many parts of the Reserve including the creek chan-nels. While they compete with native plants and limit their regen-eration potential they may also offer habitat and protection for animals.

> The potential for linkages to the remainder of the creek system, including popular and highly successful areas such as the recently restored Clear Paddock Creek, have not been realised.

> Bush/ grass fires have occurred in the Reserve in recent years and pose a threat to surrounding residential properties.


• The Reserve offers potential for the ongoing protection and restora-tion of Cumberland Plain Woodland remnants.

• Remove weeds and provide alternative habitat for animals.

• The community has expressed interest in contributing to restoration projects.

• Consider extending existing educational programs such as ‘Kids and Creeks’ through partnerships with local schools, to utilise the poten-tial of the creek system to function as an educational resource.

• Establish a series of formal or informal links along the creek to extend the regional recreation network and create safe links to other local facilities (i.e. bike paths along creek corridors to Bonnyrigg Town Centre).

• Design and manage the Reserve in a manner that minimises bush and grass fire risks.

Remnants would respond well to a combination of weed removal and fencing and are expected to regenerate well.

46

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


Recreation needs and opportunities

Issues

> The size of the Reserve is sufficiently large to accommodate a range of recreational needs, activities and facilities which would be justi-fied by the demographic of the local area.

> Community demand is for a more substantial and usable neigh-bourhood recreational resource with a balanced mix of recreation facilities, sporting facilities and natural elements.

> Local sports clubs are experiencing rapid growth and are in need of additional playing fields to provide safer and more balanced use of existing facilities.

> Given local and regional supply, and the location of the Reserve in a residential area, the site is inappropriate for large facilities (such as an indoor sport centre or a tennis complex).

> Many existing facilities close-by are too similar in type and character (for example play equipment).


• Upgrade the Reserve from its current un-used and ‘left-over’ status to provide a significant neighbourhood focus which features a bal-anced mix of uses and facilities consistent with local demand.

• Ensure that facilities provide an alternative to existing ones in sur-rounding small parks, i.e. cater for different age groups and provide different types of equipment/ recreation opportunity.

• Consider partnerships with local sporting clubs to develop the Reserve.

Aesthetic Values

Issues

> The dam is a reminder of historic agricultural uses and associated landscape patterns.

> The Reserve forms an important contrast to surrounding urban areas and provides visual relief, especially where the mature tree cover can be retained and enhanced.

> The presentation of the Reserve to Wilson Road Reserve is crucial to its appreciation.

The Reserve provides welcome visual relief from surrounding suburban development.

The relatively gentle topography of the Reserve and its western portion in particular would be suited for use as sporting field..

48

WILSON ROAD RESERVE



• Protect and enhance the existing visual values of the site in the re-design of the Reserve.

• Place new elements in the Reserve in a manner that preserves its peaceful nature and retains a sense of ‘escape’.

• The placement of infrastructure and facilities in the Reserve needs to retain both visibility and surveillance from the road.

Funding, Management and Partnerships

Issues

> Council only has limited funds available for capital works in the Reserve.

> Without financial assistance, Council would not be able to imple-ment significant improvements in the short to medium term.

> There may be interest from community-based groups or clubs to contribute to the development of facilities in the Reserve.

> Currently, the Reserve is poorly maintained.

> There is community interest to contribute to the Reserve and on-going maintenance.


• Finding community-based groups (such as sports clubs) to assist in the funding of capital works offers a practical and desirable solution to developing and maintaining the Reserve.

• Development through joint funding needs to ensure that the requirements of both the general public and the groups involved are met and balanced, and that public land is not alienated to pri-vate use.

• There is a need for Council to make an on-going commitment to the management and maintenance of the Reserve.

• There is potential to involve the local community in managing the Reserve through a partnership program. This could build on com-munity interest in the Reserve and experience gained with similar projects in western Sydney (such as including tree planting days, bush regeneration and the like).

• Local institutions and community facilities (i.e. community centres, schools) can play a significant role in developing programs for the use of the park and in establishing community activities (i.e. educa-tion, outings in the park).

Maintenance activities would need to be extended to allow wider and more frequent use of the Reserve.

48

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


• Consider closer cooperation between Fairfield and Liverpool Councils to coordinate the provision of recreational facilities in the area. This include coordinating links (such as pedestrian/ cycle paths) and the provision and type of recreational equipment to ensure a range of facilities are available to residents.

The vision statement articulates the desired outcome for Wilson Road Reserve. Subsequent actions can be evaluated on the basis of how they contribute to making this vision a reality.

The vision for the Reserve relies on a commit-ment to the key management strategies and detailed actions which are identified in the fol-lowing section.

section 5.0Vision

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


WILSON ROAD RESERVE


A Vision for Wilson Road Reserve

“Wilson Road Reserve will become a high quality neighbourhood park catering for a balance of organised sport and informal recreation activities.

Development of the Reserve will be in a manner that fosters a sense of ownership and pride by the community.

The establishment of activities in the park will build on partnerships with local community-based groups and will aim to encourage an appreciation and enjoyment of the natural attributes of the Reserve. These include in particular the Reserve’s role in the creek system and wider catchment context, and its contribution to the conservation of endangered ecological communities in western Sydney.

The Reserve will become an integral part of the network of open space and community facilities in the area, creating a system of pedestrian and cycle links to adjoining parks, and via connecting streets.”

section 6.0Management Framework

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


WILSON ROAD RESERVE


The Local Government Act and the Local Government (General) Regulation provide guidelines on the classification of community land. All community land must be classified under a category as defined by the Local Government Act and Regulation. These categories are consist-ent with the purpose for which the land is to be used and contain core objectives for the management of the land.

Based on the guidelines provided in the Act and the Regulation, land in Wilson Road Reserve is to be classified as follows (refer to Figure 6.1):

Area Category

Land along Wilson Road and west of Wilson Creek and south of Wilson Creek tributary

Sportsground

Land east of Wilson Creek Park

Land along Wilson Creek and the Wilson Creek tributary

Natural Area - Watercourse

Areas of remnant and regenerat-ing vegetation along the creek lines and the northern Reserve boundary

Natural Area - Bushland

Categorisation of the Land

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

�

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

Figure 6.1Land Management Categories

proposed for Wilson Road Reserve

58

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


Core Objectives Core Objectives for the Management of these areas are prescribed by the Local Government Act and are as follows.

Community Land Categorised as “Sportsground”

The core objectives for management of community land categorised as a sportsground are (Section 36F):

(a) to encourage, promote and facilitate recreational pursuits in the community involving organised and informal sporting activities and games, and

(b) to ensure that such activities are managed having regard to any adverse impact on nearby residences.

Community Land Categorised as “Park”

The core objectives for management of community land categorised as a park are (Section 36G):

(a) to encourage, promote and facilitate recreational, cultural, social and educational pastimes and activities, and

(b) to provide for passive recreational activities or pastimes and for the casual playing of games, and

(c) to improve the land in such a way as to promote and facilitate its use to achieve the other core objectives for its management.

Community Land Categorised as “Natural Area”

Core Objectives for “Natural Areas” are general principles that apply to all the different types or subcategories of natural areas (bushland, wet-land, escarpment, watercourse, foreshore) and are complemented by their relevant and specific core objectives.

The core objectives for management of community land categorised as a natural area are (Section 36E):

(a) to conserve biodiversity and maintain ecosystem function in respect of the land, or the feature or habitat in respect of which the land is categorised as a natural area, and

(b) to maintain the land, or that feature or habitat, in its natural state and setting, and

(c) to provide for the restoration and regeneration of the land, and

(d) to provide for community use of and access to the land in such a manner as will minimise and mitigate any disturbance caused by human intrusion, and

58

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


(e) to assist in and facilitate the implementation of any provisions restricting the use and management of the land that are set out in a recovery plan or threat abatement plan prepared under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 or the Fisheries Management Act 1994 .

Community Land Categorised as “Natural Area - Watercourse”

The core objectives for management of community land categorised as a watercourse are (Section 36M):

(a) to manage watercourses so as to protect the biodiversity and eco-logical values of the instream environment, particularly in relation to water quality and water flows, and

(b) to manage watercourses so as to protect the riparian environment, particularly in relation to riparian vegetation and habitats and bank stability, and

(c) to restore degraded watercourses, and

(d) to promote community education, and community access to and use of the watercourse, without compromising the other core objectives of the category.

Community Land Categorised as “Natural Area - Bushland”

The core objectives for management of community land categorised as bushland are (Section 36J):

(a) to ensure the ongoing ecological viability of the land by protecting the ecological biodiversity and habitat values of the land, the flora and fauna (including invertebrates, fungi and micro-organisms) of the land and other ecological values of the land, and

(b) to protect the aesthetic, heritage, recreational, educational and sci-entific values of the land, and

(c) to promote the management of the land in a manner that protects and enhances the values and quality of the land and facilitates pub-lic enjoyment of the land, and to implement measures directed to minimising or mitigating any disturbance caused by human intru-sion, and

(d) to restore degraded bushland, and

(e) to protect existing landforms such as natural drainage lines, water-courses and foreshores, and

(f) to retain bushland in parcels of a size and configuration that will enable the existing plant and animal communities to survive in the long term, and

(g) to protect bushland as a natural stabiliser of the soil surface.

60

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


Specific Objectives for Wilson Road Reserve

The core objectives provided by the Local Government Act are comple-mented by specific management objectives which consider the unique conditions in Wilson Road Reserve and have been developed by inter-preting the core objectives for the site. They are summarised under a series of key considerations that respond to the values and issues dis-cussed in Sections 3 and 4.

These specific objectives establish a broader approach under which detailed actions are developed in Section 7, Management Action Plan.

KEY CONSIDERATIONS SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE

Access and Address Raise the profile of the Reserve, ensure it is accessible, appeals to local residents and provides a successful sports resource for the district. Connect the Reserve to its local and district setting.

Natural and Cultural Heritage

Manage and enhance the existing natural and cultural resources in the Reserve through sound management practices and community aware-ness, involvement and responsibility.

Recreation Opportunities Increase the range and frequency of recreation activities within the Reserve, by expanding the opportunities for passive and active recrea-tion, ensuring the activities complement the residential setting and natural features.

Facility Design and Development

Design facilities to support future Reserve functions in a way that is consistent with current best practice and sustainability practices and identify potential sources for funding.

Site Operations Develop and ensure appropriate levels of ongoing Reserve manage-ment

60

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


The core objectives provided by the Local Government Act are comple-mented by specific management objectives which consider the unique conditions in Wilson Road Reserve and have been developed by inter-preting the core objectives for the site. They are summarised under a series of key considerations that respond to the values and issues dis-cussed in Sections 3 and 4.

These specific objectives establish a broader approach under which detailed actions are developed in Section 7, Management Action Plan.

Access and Address

Raising the Profile of the Reserve

• Maintain and enhance the Reserve’s address to Wilson Road by locating appropriate facilities and associated landscaping.

• Establish appropriate access points to the Reserve concurrent with the provision of sporting facilities. Minor access points from sur-rounding residential areas can be enhanced as part of gradual growth in response to increasing use.

• Liaise with Liverpool City Council to establish connections and path networks between community facilities in the Fairfield and Liverpool LGA, and coordinate the provision of recreational facilities.

• Integrate the Reserve within the broader network of local and regional open space, particularly extend walking and cycling links along the local creek system to connect open space to other com-munity facilities including higher-level parks and the Town Centre.

• Provide off-street parking in the Reserve concurrently with the devel-opment of sporting facilities and consider additional modifications to Wilson Road to ensure pedestrian safety and minimise potential conflicts between cars and visitors to the Reserve.

• Provide a system of formal and informal paths in the Reserve to make it accessible to the wider community and ensure parts of the Reserve are accessible to people with disabilities. Link new recrea-tional facilities to existing and proposed access points.

Natural and Cultural HeritageManaging and Enhancing the Existing Natural and Cultural Resources in the Reserve

• Protect the cultural heritage of past agricultural activities by retain-ing the area largely in its present form and vegetation pattern.

• Seek opportunities to obtain information on past Aboriginal occu-pation of the site and, where appropriate, interpret the information on the site for the benefit of the Reserve users.

Specific Management Strategies

62

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


• Promote the conservation and regeneration of natural resources in the Reserve through interpretation, education and restoration activities, particularly strive to protect and enhance remnants of the Cumberland Plain Endangered Ecological Community and the creek environment.

• Ensure that any new buildings or structures within the Reserve do not unnecessarily impact on natural features.

• Establish clear directions and methods for the management of all existing vegetation and new plantings within the Reserve.

• Maximise the provision of suitable habitat for native fauna in the Reserve, particularly in areas with existing habitat such as the creek lines and densely vegetated and remnant areas.

• Recognise the dam and water courses as an asset to the natural values for the site, and allow these resources to be retained and to improve their value.

• Implement a water management strategy for the Reserve to man-age stormwater flows and investigate the potential for temporary of permanent water bodies to replace the former dam if necessary.

• Establish methods for the progressive removal of weed species and replacement with indigenous species, using natural regeneration processes as much as possible.

• Foster public education aimed at promoting the environmental val-ues and management of the Reserve.

• Develop approaches that result in a community commitment to pro-tecting and upgrading the natural environment and establish ongo-ing associations with local groups to work with Council to manage vegetation and waterways issues.

Recreation OpportunitiesIncrease the Range and Frequency of Activities within the Reserve

• Review the Reserve’s position in Council’s open space hierarchy and provide a higher level of recreational facilities in the Reserve, consist-ent with the demography of the local area.

• Improve the eastern part of the Reserve in a way that provides for a mix of passive recreation and family-oriented activities, as well as informal and formal sporting activities with minimal impact on sur-rounding residents.

• Develop the western part of the Reserve into a park with an active/ structured recreation focus that meets strong local demand for additional sporting fields and provide facilities accordingly (i.e. car parking, lighting, paths and change rooms).

62

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


• Ensure the sensitive integration of recreation activities into the Reserve to ensure adverse effects on surrounding residential areas are minimised.

• Develop new recreational facilities in a way that minimises adverse impacts on existing values of the Reserve, including the ability to enjoy a peaceful time and relaxed setting in parts of the Reserve.

• Investigate opportunities to connect the park to other community facilities (such as the Town Centre) and other areas of open space along the creek system.

• Ensure ongoing suitability of those recreational opportunities offered within the Reserve. This includes a review of local supply and demand prior to renewing any leases or amending lease condi-tions to other sections of the Reserve and/ or longer hours.

Facility Design & DevelopmentThe Design and Functions of Future Facilities in the Reserve

• Optimise opportunities to incorporate the principles of Environmentally Sustainable Development into the Reserve and its facilities.

• Ensure that all structures and facilities are appropriately designed to complement the existing character of the Reserve and retains the existing visual relationship with Wilson Road.

• Identify funding, resource and management opportunities to ensure the maintenance and preservation of a quality environment.

• Negotiate with local clubs on the joint development of the Reserve, provision of new recreational facilities/ associated infrastructure, maintenance and leasing of parts of the Reserve.

• Avoid the risk of ‘exclusivity of use’ through leases and licenses which could restrict general community access, use and enjoyment.

Site OperationsDevelop and ensure appropriate Levels of ongoing Reserve Management

• Develop a range of site control measures to manage and minimise impacts on the values of the Reserve.

• Review the standing of the Reserve in Council’s open space hierar-chy and the allocation of resources to the Reserve’s maintenance. Develop a maintenance plan that reflects the Reserve’s increased use and importance as a significant neighbourhood resource.

• Foster public education and community involvement in the park’s management, building on the sense of stewardship within the exist-ing local community.

64

• Ensure high standards of management, including quality mainte-nance of appropriate sports facilities, ongoing improvements, clear guidelines to user groups, and a co-ordinated approach.

• Manage the Reserve in a way that protects visitors and surrounding residents. Provide for appropriate bushfire hazard management, fuel reduction and access for emergency vehicles.

64

section 7.0Management Action Plan

The strategies for the Reserve will be realised through the actions undertaken by the park managers outlined in this section, Management Action Plan.

The actions have been prioritised and indicate if a single, periodic or ongoing action is required. Actions for physical park development should be read in conjunction with Section 7, Land-scape Masterplan.

The time frames nominated are as follows:

• short <3 years

• medium 3-7 years

• long >7 years+

66

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


Access and Address

Strategy Actions

Maintain and enhance the Reserve’s address to Wilson Road by locating appropriate facilities and associated landscaping.

Locate facilities including trees, buildings along Wilson Road in a way that maintains the open visual relationship between the road and the Reserve.

Upgrade the street frontage of the Reserve by providing appropriate landscape treatment around new facilities, to complement the existing landscape.

Establish appropriate access points to the Reserve concurrent with the provision of sporting facili-ties. Minor access points from sur-rounding residential areas can be enhanced as part of gradual growth in response to increasing use.

Identify suitable access points to the Reserve to best serve new uses, minimise conflicts and allow movement of people through the Reserve.

Provide access to the Reserve from the north-east along Wilson Creek.

Undertake construction of paths concurrently with the development of sporting facilities.

Identify priorities for upgrade of existing access easements and undertake staged improvements accordingly over time.

Liaise with Liverpool City Council to establish connections and path net-works between community facilities in the Fairfield and Liverpool LGA, and coordinate the provision of rec-reational facilities.

Approach Liverpool City Council to investigate the potential for cooperation in the provision of open space/ recreation facilities in the Bonnyrigg area.

Aim to develop a joint strategy for open space in areas close to Local Government boundaries. The Strategy would coordinate the range of recrea-tion facilities and different types of open space accessible to community mem-bers (across Local Government boundaries), aim to jointly meet local/ district recreational needs and coordinate the provision of links between these facilities, including pedestrian/ cycle networks.

Integrate the Reserve within the broader network of local and regional open space, particularly extend walking and cycling links along the local creek system to con-nect open space to other commu-nity facilities including higher-level parks and the Town Centre.

Investigate options for a continuous pedestrian/ cycle link along Wilson Creek to Bonnyrigg Town Centre, including the feasibility of options that minimise conflicts with road corridors.

Extend the path system through the north-eastern part of the Reserve and along the creek corridor, as identified in the Open Space Strategy.

Review the provision of pedestrian/ cycle paths in the area to provide formal and safe links for children between schools and other community facilities to the Reserve.

66

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


Priority Explanatory Notes Performance Measurement

Short Avoid blocking the open section of the Wilson Road frontage with buildings or other tall struc-tures.

Facilities located around existing tall structures/ trees and views into/ out of the Reserve main-tained.

Short - Medium Complement the existing character of the Reserve by appropriate species selection and sof-tening of structures through the use of plants.

Landscaping provided to the Reserve frontage and maintained.

Short Minimise the number of areas where pedestrian and vehicle paths cross.

Formal access points provided to the Reserve.

Medium Access needs to be provided in a location that is safe, i.e. minimise potential for flooding to inun-date the path.

Connection established into the Reserve from Simpson Road.

Short Coordinate construction activities with sporting clubs

Path system completed in time for sporting use.

Medium - Long Not all easements would need to be formalised. Dangerous (steep) areas need to be safe.

Safe access provided from existing easements.

Short - Medium - Proposal for cooperation developed and present-ed to Liverpool Council for consideration.

Medium - Commitment made by both Councils to work together. Strategy developed and better cross-Local Government boundary cooperation in meeting recreational needs.

Medium This may include options for over- or underpass-es at road intersections.

Option and feasibility study completed and grad-ual implementation of recommendations.

Short - Medium -

Medium - Long Stable paths suitable for walking/ cycling should be provided to at least one side of roads that form links between places of interest.

Safe and continuous links provided between the Reserve and other facilities in the area.

68

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


Strategy Actions

Provide off-street parking in the Reserve concurrently with the devel-opment of sporting facilities and consider additional modifications to Wilson Road to ensure pedestrian safety and minimise potential con-flicts between cars and visitors to the Reserve.

Together with sports clubs and Council traffic planners determine the amount of parking likely to be needed and the most suitable (safe) location of entries from Wilson Road.

Together with Council traffic planners, determine other measures along Wilson Road to reduce user conflict/ accident potential. These may include signage, an additional pedestrian crossing, provision of blisters or avenue tree planting to narrow the road corridor, or similar.

Accommodate as much of the estimated parking need as possible in the Reserve, to minimise car parking conflicts in surrounding streets.

Locate the car park along the frontage with Wilson Road to minimise loss of open space and amenity (including remnant vegetation) to parking and access roads and limit the impacts of traffic in the Reserve on surrounding residents.

Make it a condition of use/ development that car parking be provided in the Reserve concurrently with sporting facilities.

Consider/ encourage the use of alternative paving materials for the car park such as permeable pavers that allow water infiltration and filtration and avoid increases in stormwater runoff.

Provide appropriate landscaping to the car park to minimise the effect of large hard surfaces on the remainder of the Reserve.

Provide a system of formal and informal paths in the Reserve to make it accessible to the wider community and ensure parts of the Reserve are accessible to people with disabilities. Link new recrea-tional facilities to existing and pro-posed access points.

Establish a number of paths including a circuit path that can be used by wide sections of the community, including formal paths, paths for walking and cycling (including cycling for small children) and informal links. Ensure paths are suitable to accommodate family use and spectators.

Ensure paths are located to provide access to and connection between different facilities in the Reserve, including sporting facilities, links to informal Reserve areas and links to existing access points and paths.

Access and Address - Cont’d

68

WILSON ROAD RESERVE



Short Consider the frequency of use, level of competi-tion and subsequent spectator numbers. May need site visits to current venues to confirm.

Meeting held between relevant parties, site visit undertaken and realistic assessment completed and reported to Council.

Short - Medium Ensure these measures do not impact negatively on the daily use and volume of traffic in Wilson Road. Consultation with the school and/ or resi-dents may be needed.

Investigation of options and consultation com-plete and reported back to Council. Preferred options installed.

Short The amount of parking should be reflective of the Reserve’s position in the open space hierar-chy and land categorisation. Parking should not be allowed to dominate the Reserve, either visu-ally or functionally.

Car parking provided in the Reserve with an entrance off Wilson Road. Short

Short - Sporting field and associated facilities completed and in place prior to play.

Short Properties further downstream already require flood protection and must not be adversely effected by Reserve development.

Research into permeable surfaces completed as part of detail design options for the car park.

Short - Medium Retain current quality of a ‘soft’ and natural park.

Landscaping provided to the car park and Wilson Road frontage.

ShortAccess is required for a wide range of people, i.e. in an area with a large percentage of young families, access for supervising parents (i.e. with prams) is required to the whole Reserve. This requires at least some formalised paths and bridges/ access across the creek.

Mix of formal and informal paths and associated structures (bridges) established in the Reserve.

Short - Medium Paths connect to existing access points and ease-ments.

70

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


Natural and Cultural Heritage

Strategy Actions

Protect the cultural heritage of past agricultural activities by retaining the area largely in its present form and vegetation pattern.

Establish a planting and maintenance regime that compliments the Reserve’s existing character of pasture with remnant trees and clumps of regenerating vegetation.

Identify diseased or drying trees and replace with new planting.

Locate new planting to build on the existing character while providing increased amenity, interest and shade in the Reserve.

Investigate the option of retaining the existing dam or replacing it with a water feature reminiscent of the old farm dam structure.

Promote the conservation and regeneration of natural resources in the Reserve through interpreta-tion, education and restoration activities. Particularly strive to protect and enhance remnants of the Cumberland Plain Endangered Ecological Community and the creek environment.

Contact local schools and community based groups (including environmental groups like bush care or similar) to establish an interest base in the Reserve.

Together with relevant groups, establish a regeneration program to identify most suitable techniques and areas for different treatments to avoid conflicts with other Reserve uses.

Remove weeds throughout the Reserve and in particular around clumps of regenerating remnant vegetation. Use a combination of fencing, manual weeding techniques and exclusion of mowing to encourage natural regenera-tion of local seed stock.

Ensure that any new buildings or structures within the Reserve do not unnecessarily impact on natural features.

Develop the Reserve in a way that minimises clearing of CPEEC and compliment existing remnants with ameliorative planting to replace cleared vegetation.

Protect the creek lines in the Reserve and avoid modifications to land within the buffer zone as identified by the Rivers and Foreshores Improvement Act.

Establish clear directions and meth-ods for the management of all exist-ing vegetation and new plantings within the Reserve.

Work with local groups to identify revegetation and vegetation restoration goals, develop the most appropriate planting, restoration and maintenance strategies, including fire as a management tool.

Ensure maintenance is undertaken according to these strategies, particularly during crucial times, such as plant establishment.

Maximise the provision of suit-able habitat for native fauna in the Reserve, particularly in areas with existing habitat such as the creek lines and densely vegetated and remnant areas.

Progressively remove weeds including aquatic weeds and replace with new planting, in a way that maintains some habitat/ shelter at all times.

Use fencing around selected groups of remnant and regenerating vegetation as a means to create ‘no go’ and ‘no-mow’ zones that provide protected areas for fauna.

Recognise the dam and water courses as an asset to the natural values for the site, and allow these resources to be retained and to improve their value.

Improve the dam/ water feature through the progressive removal of weeds and replacement with indigenous reeds, rushes and other semi-aquatic species.

70

WILSON ROAD RESERVE



Short - Suitable areas for additional planting identified. Sick or unsafe trees removed and progressive installation of new amenity and replacement planting. Rural character maintained. Medium -

Short - Medium As much as possible, utilise local seed and plant material procured nearby.

Medium - Long Consider feasibility in terms of cost, stormwater flows, etc.

Continued use of a water body in the Reserve as attractive/ educational feature.

Short - Medium Encourage the local community to participate in these events and thereby develop a sense of ownership for the Reserve.

Relevant community group contacted, made aware of the Reserve’s potential and invited to participate.

Short Strategies identified may require ongoing review to ensure they continue to be consistent with other uses of the Reserve.

Restoration activities stages in the Reserve and increased public awareness of the creek and veg-etation remnants.

Short - Medium May need ongoing attention to control weed growth in the long term.

Regenerating remnants protected by fences and regular bush regeneration activities held in the Reserve. Activities complemented by signage/ education.

Short - Medium

Council to lead with Best Practice Management and with regard to the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD).

Endangered plant communities protected best as possible and recovery actively encouraged by planting activities.

Short Protection of waterways/ fisheries will be an ongoing concern, but is most pressing during development of sporting facilities.

Minimal development (including fill) in the 40m wide corridor.

Short - Medium Planting of native vegetation will need to con-sider how the potential build up of fuel is to be managed to adequately protect residents.

Vegetation restoration and management plan in place. Strategies implemented as part of ongo-ing Reserve development and maintenance.

Ongoing -

Medium Progressive removal/ replacement will also assist in sediment and erosion control.

Stands of shrubs or dense planting maintained at all times to provide shelter.

Short - Fencing and educational signage established in the Reserve. Remnants regenerating in ‘no-go’ and ‘no-mow’ zones.

Short - Medium - Most suitable species identified and progressively planted to replace weedy species along the creek lines.

72

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


Natural and Cultural Heritage - Cont’d

Strategy Actions

Implement a water management strategy for the Reserve to manage stormwater flows and investigate the potential for temporary of per-manent water bodies to replace the former dam if necessary.

Together with Council engineers determine water management, flow and qual-ity objectives for the Reserve.

Investigate options to replace the dam with a permanent or temporary water feature or dam to act as a reminder of past agricultural use and historical recreational activities (e.g. boating, fishing) and as an educational facility and aesthetic feature.

Establish methods for the progres-sive removal of weed species and replacement with indigenous spe-cies, using natural regeneration processes as much as possible.

Drawing on the extensive material and experience available in Western Sydney, work together with local groups to establish an ecological restoration program for the Reserve.

Encourage natural regeneration through fencing and weed removal.

Compliment natural regrowth by plants procured as much as possible from local seed.

Foster public education aimed at promoting the environmental values and management of the Reserve.

Extend existing local programmes and initiatives (i.e. Kids and Creeks, Western Sydney Environment Week) to local parks such as Wilson Road Reserve.

Offer partnerships to groups with a long-term interest in the Reserve to ensure the value of the resource is maintained.

Develop approaches that result in a community commitment to pro-tecting and upgrading the natural environment and establish ongoing associations with local groups to work with Council to manage veg-etation and waterways issues.

Building on the amount of interest voiced during consultation, consider regular celebratory events that involve the community in upgrading the Reserve and serve to foster a sense of ownership and pride. These could include tree plant-ing days or extensions to existing initiatives such as ‘Clean Up Australia Day’.

Seek opportunities to obtain infor-mation on past Aboriginal occupa-tion of the site and, where appropri-ate, interpret the information on the site for the benefit of the Reserve users.

Review and assess available information in local libraries, historical groups or the like.

Consider conducting a Heritage Study with focus on pre-European use of the area.

Update this Plan of Management and educational measure/ interpretative sig-nage in the Reserve accordingly when/ if information becomes available.

72

WILSON ROAD RESERVE



Short - Medium - Water management priorities and requirements identified for the Reserve.

Medium - Long - Continuing use of water as a point of interest and learning in the Reserve.

Short - Medium - Successful methods in other areas in the region reviewed and incorporated into the management of the Reserve.

Short - Medium Fences may be possible to be removed in the long term provided remnants continue to be protected from mowing.

Fences installed and weed growth controlled.

Medium - Long Using locally procured stock will assist biodi-versity through the preservation of local plant characteristics.

Seed collection undertaken in the Reserve and seedlings re-established following weed removal and fencing.

Medium - Increased awareness of environmental val-ues present in suburban parks and areas. Educational activities conducted in the Reserve and children using the Reserve to explore ‘nature’.

Short - Medium Ensure objectives of groups are consistent with this Plan and do not conflict with other uses of the Reserve and the desired visual character.

Interested groups have a level of confidence that they can retain a presence in the Reserve and that their work will be valued on an on-going basis.

Short - Medium - Active involvement of wide sections of the com-munity in the shaping of the Reserve. Diverse members of the community use events to get together in the Reserve and celebrate their local area.

Medium - Pre-European use of the site known.

Short - Medium Archaeological investigations could be con-sidered prior to undertaking cut and fill works required for the sporting fields.

Site investigated for Aboriginal use and artifacts and findings shared with Reserve users via inter-pretative measures/ signage.

Ongoing - PoM and information provided in the Reserve up-to-date with current archaeological/ historical knowledge.

74

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


Recreation Opportunities

Strategy Actions

Review the Reserve’s position in Council’s open space hierarchy and provide a higher level of recreational facilities in the Reserve, consistent with the demography of the local area.

In view of the recreational needs and demands identified for the local area, improve the level of resource allocation to the Reserve to develop it into a more useable park.

Confirm that the land will not be needed for drainage in the future.

Improve the eastern part of the Reserve in a way that provides for a mix of passive recreation and family-oriented activities, as well as infor-mal and formal sporting activities with minimal impact on surround-ing residents.

Provide a number of recreational facilities in the Reserve, including walking/ cycling tracks, seating and picnic benches, and shade trees.

Construct a playing surface of mini-/ training field size (modified field) that can be used for informal ball kicking or other activities as well as function as an overflow sports field on weekends, making it possible for three junior matches to be played in the Reserve at a time, if required.

Provide a small playground where young children can be playing while parents watch older kids play sport.

Develop the western part of the Reserve into a park with an active/ structured recreation focus that meets strong local demand for additional sporting fields and pro-vide facilities accordingly (i.e. car parking, lighting, paths and change rooms).

Grade the Reserve to provide for a standard size football field that can function as a junior cricket field in summer.

Provide associated facilities including a small amenities building (change rooms), water bubblers, car parking, playing field lights and spectator areas. Facilities should be adequately sized for the level of use and competition (jun-iors).

Work together with sports clubs to determine the likely needs and minimum requirements for buildings to provide a useful asset in the Reserve.

Ensure the sensitive integration of recreation activities into the Reserve to ensure adverse effects on sur-rounding residential areas are mini-mised.

Design facilities to minimise the amount of cut and fill and the visual impact of embankments towards the street frontage and in the Reserve. Soften embankments with planting in visually exposed/ important areas.

Use screen planting as much as possible to reduce visual and other perceived impacts of the development, and stop stray balls. Ensure screen planting does not shade out adjacent properties or pose an increased fire or security threat.

74

WILSON ROAD RESERVE



Short - Medium While the Reserve is not suited to become a District (Level 3) Park (this is provided at Bonnyrigg Town Centre), it can still be a more substantial neighbourhood park, i.e. of a quality standard similar to Bosnjak Park or other larger parks in the area which accommodate a number of uses.

Additional (capital) resources allocated towards the implementation of improvements and provi-sion of recreational facilities that respond to the local demand. More (human) resources dedi-cated to ongoing maintenance in the Reserve.

Short - Confirmation from Council’s Stormwater Engineers that the proposed development of the Reserve will not conflict with future stormwater management.

Short - Medium - Recreational facilities installed in the Reserve and frequently used by community members.

Short Limit the amount of tree clearing and cut and fill as much as possible to minimise negative impacts on the visual quality and amenity of the Reserve

A portion of the Reserve’s eastern half levelled and maintained suitable to a standard for play-ing games. Used by the community for informal games and gathering at other times.

Medium Avoid replicating play equipment already heav-ily represented in the local area (such as bright plastic modules). Use materials and equipment in character with the Reserve’s visual qualities, for example robust timber equipment.

Detail design for playground completed, equip-ment installed and used by young children.

Short - Reserve regraded and playing field in use

Short - Medium Large facilities are not appropriate within the Reserve and buildings should be designed to be adaptable to a number of uses if necessary. They should complement the park setting with simple yet attractive architecture.

Facilities completed, leased, used and managed by sports clubs. Improved amenity and function-ality in the Reserve.

Short - Medium - Design brief / detail design completed for facili-ties including the amenities building.

Short Consider stepping batters to reduce the appar-ent size if required.

Minimal impact on the current visual character of the Reserve, particularly as seen from Wilson Road.

Short - Medium Higher level competitions which attract large crowds woul not be appropriate in the Reserve given size, location and access limitations. They should be retained at existing sporting venues.

Levels and amount of noise exposure at accept-able levels. Reserve used only for junior sport. Surrounding residents continue to support sport-ing use of the Reserve.

76

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


Strategy Actions

Develop new recreational facilities in a way that minimises adverse impacts on existing values of the Reserve, including the ability to enjoy a peaceful time and relaxed setting in parts of the Reserve.

Locate all main sporting facilities in the western part of the Reserve and as much as possible maintain planted buffer zones to residential properties to minimise the visual impact and impact of stray balls on surrounding residents.

Design sports facilities in the eastern part of the Reserve to provide for overflow use only, with limited hours of use to weekend days.

Closely monitor hours of evening operation.

Investigate opportunities to connect the park to other community facili-ties (such as the Town Centre) and other areas of open space along the creek system.

Provide a recreational link (i.e. for walking and cycling) along Wilson Creek, as identified in Council’s Open Space Strategy.

Investigate opportunities to undertake this work as part of district or regional upgrades/ service provision.

Ensure ongoing suitability of those recreational opportunities offered within the Reserve. This includes a review of local supply and demand prior to renewing any leases or amending lease conditions to other sections of the Reserve and/ or longer hours.

Regularly review the sporting and other uses and facilities in the Reserve and ensure they continue to be consistent with local demand.

Conditions of leases to included a demonstrated need for the Reserve’s playing facilities (i.e. as represented by growing player numbers).

Prior to renewing lease, consult with the community and surrounding residents to ensure proposed play/ use hours do not cause a significant reduction in resi-dential amenity.

Recreation Opportunities - Cont’d

76

WILSON ROAD RESERVE



Short - Medium The use of visually dominant fences as buffers should be kept to a minimum, in order to main-tain the current open character of the Reserve.

Buffers in place and surrounding residents satis-fied with protective measures.

Ongoing The overflow field is not needed as a training facility.

Eastern Reserve portions used as general park areas during the week, i.e. informal games play-ing, gathering etc. Sports facilities to be tempo-rary only (i.e. goal posts, marking of field edges).

Ongoing - Noise and lighting conflicts minimised.

Medium - Long Refer to Section “Access and Address” Continuous recreational pathway provided along the creeks to the Town Centre and beyond and used as a link between facilities.

Medium It may be possible to incorporate this as part of larger, regional bicycle path networks and obtain funding from state sources for this.

Path system progressively installed and integrat-ed into regional recreation networks. Used by local and regional users.

Ongoing For example, demand may shift to a different football code.

Dedication of the Reserve for particular sporting use remains relevant to local demand. Reserve made available to other users if rugby demand should drop.

Ongoing Use of the Reserve now cannot be interpreted as a guarantee for future availability if this is not justified by demand analysis.

The Reserve and the facilities therein remain responsive to changes in needs/ demands.

Ongoing This is based on consultation feedback where people agreed to the wider community benefits of accommodating some sporting use in the Reserve. Nevertheless, the Reserve is not suited to become a primary sports park, i.e. with night-ly training sessions and the like.

The Reserve continues to accommodate and serve a number of uses, and is characterised by an even balance between sports and informal recreational activities. Night training sessions need to be limited in frequency and duration.

78

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


Facility Design and Development

Strategy Actions

Optimise opportunities to incorporate the principles of Environmentally Sustainable Development into the Reserve and its facilities.

Investigate options to incorporate sustainable design throughout the Reserve, such as solar power lighting, improved technology toilet systems such as com-posting toilets, permeable pavements, passive solar design and naturally lit roooms in the amenities building and the recycling of roof/ runoff water where appropriate.

Ensure that all structures and facili-ties are appropriately designed to complement the existing character of the Reserve and retain the exist-ing visual relationship with Wilson Road.

Design and locate all structures and facilities in the Reserve so that they do not detract from the current character and values of the place.

Locate facilities/ planting in a way that maintains the open views into and out of the Reserve from Wilson Road and via pedestrian easements from surround-ing residential streets.

Identify funding, resource and man-agement opportunities to ensure the maintenance and preservation of a quality environment.

Prepare a staged implementation program for future development, linked to Council’s capital works funding program, and other funding opportunities.

Develop a maintenance program, including a budget for the site’s facilities and resources.

Investigate and consider the introduction of skill development or other pro-grams such as ‘Work for the Dole’ or ‘Community Service’, linked to the regen-eration of the natural environment and/ or ongoing maintenance.

Establish partnerships with community groups in raising funds and contributing to specific projects such as provision of sports facilities, interpretation/ educa-tion and bush regeneration.

Negotiate with local clubs and establish an agreement on the joint development of the Reserve, provi-sion of new recreational facilities/ associated infrastructure and leasing of parts of the Reserve. The agree-ment needs to cover the respective rights and responsibilities of Council and sports clubs, including in terms of the development, funding, use (hours) and maintenance of infra-structure/ facilities and other parts of the Reserve.

Confirm interest of local clubs in jointly developing the Reserve in return for a lease/ licence or other type of use agreement. Typically, Council would make the Reserve available for sporting use, while the cost of providing sporting and associated facilities would be covered by the club.

Outline the responsibilities of the parties in providing facilities in the Reserve, including funding responsibilities for design, construction and ongoing mainte-nance.

Negotiate with interested clubs and prepare a draft agreement for considera-tion.

If several clubs express an interest in using the Reserve, Council may need to invite tenders for the use of the Reserve. Assessment criteria should include demand, community benefits generally and in terms of the contribution made to the development of the Reserve, and compatibility with the recommenda-tions of this Plan.

78

WILSON ROAD RESERVE



Short and Ongoing

A range of experience has been gained with these methods in other projects throughout the Sydney area and could be drawn upon to select the most appropriate options.

Investigation of options undertaken as part of detail design and recommendations/ preferred options implemented in the Reserve.

Short and Ongoing

Structures should be designed so that they do not come to visually or physically dominate all or part of the Reserve, but positvely contribute to the Reserve’s character.

Structures designed to recede into the landscape and agricultural character of the Reserve main-tained.

Short and Ongoing

Maintaining views important to facilitate casual visual surveillance from road users and discour-age anti-social activities in the Reserve.

Wilson Road Reserve remains visible from Wilson Road. Continued visual surveillance by road users/ passers-by.

Short - Implementation program developed, Council funding allocated and alternative funding sourc-es identified.

Short Investigate opportunities for maintenance contri-butions from sports club for frequent mowing to maintain fields at competition standards.

Increased scope and frequency of maintenance operations in the Reserve. Increased Reserve profile/ appearance.

Short and Ongoing

- Community programs extended to the Reserve and established as a cost-efficient way of provid-ing increased maintenance. Contribution to skill development.

Short and Ongoing

Consider both sporadic or ongoing fundraising activities, including raffles, auctions, celebratory events, special community days in the park etc.

Ongoing partnerships established based on com-munity interest in the Reserve. Additional funds generated to assist improvements or future needs.

Short Obtain confirmation in writing and invite pro-posals from clubs outlining their views and expectations in jointly developing the Reserve.

Interest/ commitment of local clubs confirmed, including willingness to contribute financially.

Short - Clear understanding achieved prior to com-mencement of detail design and construction of facilities.

Short - Arrive at an agreement between both parties. Lease agreed/ contract finalised.

Short - Tenders invited, assessed and preferred club selected. Lease agreed

80

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


Facility Design and Development - Cont’d

Strategy Actions

Avoid the risk of ‘exclusivity of use’ through leases and licenses which could restrict general community access.

Limit leases/ licences to specific sections of the Reserve (i.e. the western half and limited use of the overflow field area).

Assess potential lessees on the basis of the proposed contribution to the overall Reserve amenity and likely relationship to other Reserve uses.

Do not permit fences or similar structures which would inhibit or restrict the general public’s use of the Reserve.

Facilitate organised and informal sporting activities.

Enter into a 21 year lease arrangement with the preferred Club, for the use, maintenance and development of the area categorised as “Sportsground”. The granting of a lease of a term not exceeding twenty-one (21) years is hereby expressely authorised, on the basis that the following matters will be addressed within the lease arrangement:

• ensure broad community access to the playing field, in accordance with this PoM;

• state an appropriate level of use in accordance with this PoM; and

• clearly outline responsibilities for maintenance.

80

WILSON ROAD RESERVE



Short and Ongoing

Lease to be limited to the area categorised as “Sportsground”.

Only portion of the Reserved categorised as “Sportsground” is covered by use agreements.

Ongoing This include the potential for (ongoing) conflicts with other Reserve users and residents.

Increased amenity and positive relationship with the general public

Short and Ongoing

- All sections of the Reserve remain accessible/ usable by the general community

Short and Ongoing

The appropriate area to be leased is outlined in the Categorisation Plan (Figure 6.1) and identi-fied as “Sportsground”.

Lease granted. Responsible management and use by user groups, in accordance with this PoM.

82

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


Site Operations

Strategy Actions

Develop a range of site control measures to manage and mini-mise impacts on the values of the Reserve.

Develop and implement a works and maintenance plan for all landscape and built site elements.

Establish regular visitation to the Reserve by Council rangers and/ or mainte-nance personnel to carry out a maintenance program.

Define suitable edge treatments for the Reserve which will protect and enhance the values of the site and allow for passive surveillance.

Manage and minimise the impacts of adjoining lands uses on the Reserve, such as inappropriate vehicular access.

Review the standing of the Reserve in Council’s open space hierarchy and allocate more Resources to the Reserve’s maintenance. Develop a maintenance plan that reflects the Reserve’s increased use and impor-tance as a significant neighbour-hood resource.

Improve the level of resource allocation to the Reserve to develop it into a more substantial and useable type of neighbourhood park.

Develop a maintenance program and schedule reflective of the Reserve’s increased standing and importance as a community and recreational resource.

Allocate more human and capital resources to the ongoing maintenance and improvement of the Reserve.

Adopt an integrated and co-ordi-nated approach to management.

Establish a Management and Restoration Plan that clearly defines different treatment areas (i.e. mowing, weed removal, pruning, revegetation) and subse-quent maintenance demands.

Foster public education and com-munity involvement in the park’s management, building on the sense of stewardship within the existing local community.

Regularly inform the community on events, progress of improvement works and decisions affecting the Reserve and inform communities on the reasons behind those decisions.

Invite community members to participate in activities in the Reserve such as bush regeneration/ weed eradication and tree planting.

Approach local schools and environmental groups and invite them to use the Reserve as an educational resource.

Tap into existing community interest in conservation and creek protection by extending existing local programs and initiatives to the Reserve.

82

WILSON ROAD RESERVE



Short Built elements include buildings, car park, fenc-es, furniture, play equipment, lights, etc

Works and Maintenance Plan in place and used to guide works.

Short and Ongoing

A visible display of regular site maintenance will also be beneficial to the issues of security and vandalism.

Regular maintenance operations carried out in the Reserve and observed by the public. Investments in the Reserve maintained at high levels.

Medium - Long Includes screening of fences and delineation of maintenance areas through edge treatments. Encourage residents to replace fences with more transparent structures, including a mix of retain-ing walls and fences that allow filtered views.

Visual quality of Reserve edges enhanced. Current views into the Reserve maintained and enhanced through residents’ gardens that address/ face the park.

Short and Ongoing

Use (lockable) bollards or similar systems that maintain emergency and maintenance vehicle access.

Measures installed to prevent general vehicle access.

Short and Ongoing

- Ongoing implementation of Reserve improve-ments and increased use.

Short - Increased scope, complexity and frequency of maintenance operations reflect the different uses and needs in the Reserve.

Short and Ongoing

Additional funds to assist in maintenance may be generated from leases, licences, etc

Maintenance funding available to maintain a quality environment.

Short - Medium Delineation of areas will reduce future conflicts e.g. between regeneration and mowing areas. May need regular review.

Management and Restoration Plan adopted and different treatments/ techniques identified.

Short and Ongoing

Maintain transparency in the decision-making process in the Reserve.

Public informed and satisfied with the level of information provided.

Short and Ongoing

- Continuing active participation by community members in activities in the Reserve. People display a sense of ownership and pride in the Reserve.

Short and Ongoing

- Schools and groups using the Reserve and assist-ing in providing educational material or guided tours for the general public.

Short - Medium - Existing programs recognise the Reserve’s value and work to generate increased interest in these issues by offering a regular local presence in the Reserve.

84

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


Site Operations - Cont’d

Strategy Actions

Ensure high standards of manage-ment, including quality maintenance appropriate for sports facilities, ongoing improvements, clear guide-lines to user groups, and a co-ordi-nated approach.

Establish an internal Council review/ assessment panel of maintenance opera-tions and strategies, including listing of successes and short-comings.

Ensure management strategies are consistent with the intended use of the Reserve and do not adversely affect the enjoyment or intended use of different Reserve areas.

Manage the Reserve in a way that protects visitors and surrounding residents. Provide for appropriate bushfire hazard management, fuel reduction and access for emergency vehicles.

Determine maintenance requirements on an annual basis and establish a fre-quent mowing/ fuel reduction regime.

Incorporate maintenance and security for the Park within existing programs.

84

WILSON ROAD RESERVE



Short - Medium - Review panel established and regular assess-ments undertaken. Maintenance operations improved/ changed according to findings of reviews.

Short and Ongoing

May need review as activities and frequencies of use change.

Maintenance consistent with land management aims and users satisfied with the presentation of the Reserve.

Short and Ongoing

- Adjacent properties and facilities in the Reserve adequately protected from the risk of bush or grass fires.

Ongoing Fuel reduction established as part of the stand-ard maintenance regime.

section 8.0Landscape Masterplan

This section contains the Landscape Masterplan for the Reserve, that was developed based on the findings and recommendations outlined in this PoM. It takes the form of an illustrated and annotated concept plan.

WILSON ROAD RESERVE

Plan of Management a-3

appendix aCommunity Consultation Outcomes

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


WILSON ROAD RESERVE


Brief Analysis of the Survey The following section represents an evaluation of community survey forms, undertaken by Council based on the completed questionnaires received up to 7 May, 2003. A total of 110 completed survey forms were received by Council, 32 by mail and 78 during the Community Open Day.

Quesion No. 1 : Do you have any stories to tell us about the Reserve?

Response Number of respondentsBy mail On site Total

Concerns about bush fire 10 20 30No comments 13 32 45Others 8 26 341. Great potential 1 12. Nice to have a park & good place 1 6 73. Students use it as a “lovers park” 1 14. Kids pass through the Park 1 1 25. Littering, nothing to tell 1 7 86. Need a good Park 1 2 37. Make a park for children 1 1 2

8. Nothing happen there 1 3 49. Never use it 3 310. Quiet place 1 111. Creek smells 1 112. Use as walk way 1 113. Fell in the drain 1 1

Question No. 2: Do you or other members of your household use the Reserve now and if so what activities do you do in the Reserve?


Use the park for walking exercise 9 21 30Use the park as short cut 2 1 3No comments 10 48 58Cycling 1 2 3Too bush to walk or doing exercise 8 4 12Only a bush fire cleaned the grass weed 1 1Don’t do anything in the Reserve 1 1Playground 1 1Kite flying 1 1

community survey results

a-4

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


Question No. 3: What sort of activities would you like to see in the Reserve in the feature? (Multiple answers possible)


Cycleway 21 30 51Walking path 20 30 50Picnic area 18 15 33Children Playground 16 27 43Basketball court 7 9 16Sporting field 4 7 11Soccer field 7 16 23Cricket pitch 2 2 4Athletics field 1 1Ponds 1 2 3Skate Park 1 3 4Kick about 3 3Tennis 3 5 8BBQ 4 7 11Garden Area 1 1Seating 1 1 2Swimming Pool 1 4 5Badminton Court 1 1Carnivals 1 1Off street parking 1 1No ball games 1 1No comments 4 4

Question No. 4: If you were asked to design the Reserve, what sorts of facilities and features would you include and what are your reasons? (Multiple answers possible)

Response No. of RespondentsBy mail On site Total

Walking & cycling path 16 25 41Children playground 8 19 27Tennis court 3 7 10Basketball court 10 7 17Swimming pool 1 3 4Seats 5 3 8Picnic areas 5 6 11Swimming pool 1 5 6Badminton court 1 1Athletics field 1 1Squash court 1 1

a-4

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


Netball court 1 1Flat grass area 3 3Cricket nets 3 1 4Soccer field 3 20 23Garden 4 1 5Pavillion 1 1 2Toilets 3 5 8Skate park 1 3 4Water feature / pond 5 2 7Decorative planting 1 1Rubbish bins 1 1 2Shrubs 1 1BBQ facilities 2 6 8Shelters 1 1Lights 2 2Native tress 3 3Off street parking 1 1Gymnasium 1 1Community Hall 2 2No comments 2 14 16

Question No.5: Are there other facilities that are not recreation …… (Multiple answers possible)


Seats 2 2Rubbish bins 3 3Fencing 1 1Grass 1 1 2Plants 1 1 2Tables & chairs 3 5 8BBQ 3 4 7Lights 1 1Foot path 2 2Parking space 1 1 2Seats 1 1Fence 1 1Garden 1 1Bubblers 1 1Shelters 1 1Featuring history about the Park & sur-rounding area

1 1

Information Board 1 1

a-6

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


Lake/Pond 1 3 4Swimming Pool 1 1 2Toilet 1 1 2Exercise equipment 1 1Trees 1 1A small supermarket/shops 1 9 10Library 6 6Retirement Village 3 3Petrol Station 2 2Subdivision 1 1Child care centre 2 2No comments 16 41 57

Question No. 6: What organised sport activities do you or other member of your household participate in? (Multiple answers possible)


Junior soccer 7 32 39Cycling 2 1 3Walking 2 4 6Cricket 5 4 9Swimming 3 4 7Basketball 4 10 14Rugby League 1 4 5Indoor soccer 1 1Footy 2 2Netball 3 7 10Skate 2 2Tennis 3 9 12Baseball 1 1Volleyball 2 3 5Squash 3 3Hocky 1 1Physical culture 1 1Dancing 3 3No comments 17 30 47

a-6

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


Question No. 7: Do you have any other comments?

Response No. of RespondentsBy Mail On Site Total

Cut the grass 1 1I hope the plan go ahead 1Think about maintenance when you design the Park

1 1

It would be great to have a nice Reserve 1 3 4The development will add the value to this area

1 1

More native shrubs, landscape the Park 1 2 3Presence of Council staff will keep the Park safe, and concerns about bush fire.

1 1

Why did you sell a block of land without public notice

1 1

Walking track is highly recommended 1 1 2Turning the Reserve into an area of walk-ing & bike path, picnic areas

1 6 7

Keep a park for children to play & adult for relax

1 1

Finish the facility as soon as possible 1 1 2There should be a “No Dumping” sign 1 1Assurance from Council that this area will not be sold for development

1 1

Very pleased to see that something useful & meaningful

1 1 2

Have it at least cleared & cut the grass 1 3 4Local schools do not have sporting facili-ties for children to learn swimming or …..

1 1

We hope you create an exciting reserve for the community

1 1

Like to see the Park cleaned because there are bush fire

1 1

The development need to be looked care-fully

1 1

A park for family 1 1Sooner is better 1 8 9Great to see children playing sports 1 1

Light should be installed 1 1 2A committee should be formed 1 1

Well shaded & vandal proof 1 1

No sporting field 1 1Ensure adequate parking 1 1No comments 9 43 52

appendix bPlant and Weed List

WILSON ROAD RESERVE

Plan of Management b-3

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


Cumberland Plain Endangered Ecological Community

The following list of species was taken from From EcoHort, 1998 and

has not been verified as part of this study.

Canopy SpeciesAngophora floribunda Rough-barked Apple Casuarina glauca Swamp Oak Corymbia maculata Spotted Gum Eucalyptus amplifolia Cabbage Gum Eucalyptus eugenioides Thin-leaved Stringybark Eucalyptus moluccana Grey Box Eucalyptus tereticornis Forest Red Gum Melaleuca linariifolia Snow-in-Summer Melaleuca styphelioides Prickly-leaved Paperbark

ShrubsAcacia implexa Hickory Acacia parramattensis Sydney Green Wattle Bursaria spinosa Blackthorn Indigofera australis Native Indigo

Native grasses and groundcoversAristida ramose Wire Grass Aristida vegans Three-awn Spear-grass Brunoniella australis Blue Trumpet Centella asiatica Swamp Pennywort Cheilanthes sieberi Mulga Fern Chloris ventricosa Tall Windmill Grass Cymbopogon refractus Barbed-wire Grass Dichondra repens Kidney Weed Einadia hastate Saloop Eragrostis leptostachya Love Grass Hardenbergia violacea Purple twining-pea Lomandra multiflora Many-flowered Mat-rush Microlaena stipoides Meadow Grass Panicum simile Two Colour Panic Paspalidium distans Themeda australis Kangaroo Grass

Aquatic PlantsAlisma plantago-aquatica Water Plantain Paspalum distichum Water Couch Typha orientalis Broad-leaf Cumbungi

b-4

The following list of species was taken from From EcoHort, 1998 and has not been verified as part of the PoM preparation process. The composition and type of weed species found in the Reserve may have changed since.

Cardiospermum grandiflorum Balloon Vine Circum vulgare Thistle Ipomoea indica Morning Glory Juncus acutus Spiny Rush Ligustrum lucidum Large-leaf Privet Ligustrum sinense Small-leaf Privet Lonicera japonica Honey Suckle Myrsiphyllum apasragoides Bridal Veil Olea europea ssp. Africana African Olive Paspalum dilatum Paspalum Pennisetum clandestinum KikuyuPlantago lanceolata Lamb’s Tongue Rubus fruticosus Blackberry Rumex spp Dock Salix spp Willows Sida rhombifolia Paddy’s Lucerne Tradescantia albiflora Wandering Jew Verbena bonariensis Purple Top

weeds

b-4

References

WILSON ROAD RESERVE


WILSON ROAD RESERVE


references

> Clouston, 1999, Fairfield Open Space Strategy. Final Report. Volume 1 and 2, prepared for Fairfield City Council

> EcoHort, 1998, Henty & Wilson Creek, Bonnyrigg and Bonnyrigg Heights – Native Vegetation Survey, Restoration & Site Development Considerations, prepared for Fairfield City Council

> Fairfield City, 2001, Parks. Draft Generic Plan of Management, Fairfield City Council

> Fairfield City, 2001, 5 Creeks Strategic Plan 2001, Fairfield City Council

> NSW Local Government Act 1993, Amendments and Regulations

> NSW Rivers and Foreshores Improvement Act 1948

> NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 and Amendments

> NSW Noxious Weed Act 1993 and Amendments

> Fairfield Council Web Site www.fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au

> NSW Department of Agriculture Web Site for Noxious Weeds in NSW: www.agric.nsw.gov.au/noxweed

> NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Website www.npws.nsw.gov.au; www.npws.nsw.gov.au/science/vegmap/cumb_vegmap.html (Cumberland Plain regional vegetation map-ping); www.npws.nsw.gov.au/news/recovery_plans/cumb_plain_plan.html (Cumberland Plain Woodland Recovery Plan)

Documents

Wilson Rd Reserve Final PoM - City of Fairfield · Management (PoM) for Wilson Road Reserve (also known as Bonnyrigg Park), and was adopted by Fairfield City Council on 02 December