FAQ

Residents and park users are encouraged to provide feedback on the proposed enviro-scape master plan for the future upgrade and development of facilities at the park.

When providing feedback please remember that your comments will be assessed regardless of the tool that is used. 

It is advisable to provide your feedback using the tool that best suits your needs and how you wish to contribute to the project.

Multiple submissions by an individual is assessed as one submission. 

All feedback received via email and by letter will also be placed on the engagement page..

An onsite Community Information Session on the proposed plan are scheduled for Wednesday, 13 June 2018, anytime from 2pm to 4pm, at the park on the Hooley Street entrance.

Enviro-scape precinct master planning is a strategic process that coordinates the future development of the City’s park precincts. It considers water quality and conservation (hydro-zoning, eco-zoning), the natural and built environment and climate change, along with accessibility, amenity, community use and ensuring the precinct is fit for purpose.

The plan developed aims to ensure that community needs are served at the most economic whole-of life cost.

There are 67 parks in the City of Nedlands. The enviro-scape plans to be prepared for each of these parks will address the following issues:

Water use

The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) has capped the City’s annual allocation of ground water used for irrigation at 709,300 kilolitres, based on 7,500 kilolitres per hectare of irrigated area per year.

The Department of Water has indicated it is intending to reduce the allowance of water use to approximately 6,000 kilolitres per hectare, per year (equivalent to 2.4 Olympic-sized pools).

Climate Change

Continued climate change with increased temperatures, reduced rainfall, rising sea levels; and increased risk of storms, droughts, and floods, requires a change of thinking in management practices. As the Climate Changes it will result in increased erosion of the coastal and Swan River foreshore areas; damage to infrastructure and increased species extinctions.

Passive Recreation

An increase in demand and use for passive recreation requires the need to improve the management and quality of passive turf surfaces within the park.

Water Quality

The quality of the ground water is currently reduced due to the rain water being directed to single locations, instead of naturally dispersing the water into the aquifer, which sits below the ground surface, at the point of capture. More direct and evenly spread filtration into the aquifer will assist with improving ground water quality across the broader local area.

Vegetation

The health and retention of native vegetation, most notably trees, is impacted by the quality of the ground water and how the water is applied. The planting of waterwise vegetation will support the reduction in ground water use that is likely to be imposed by DWER in the future.

Natural Area Conservation

The increase of hydro-zoned areas, tree canopy and native vegetation in the City will assist natural areas conservation by expanding existing bushland areas and increasing greenway corridors and linkages between natural areas. This assists in increasing the resilience of urban areas and wildlife in the event of natural disasters along with improving water catchment and filtration and reducing heat island effects.

User accessibility

Increased demand and a changing user profile requires a rethinking of how pedestrians can access the reserve and the facilities within the reserve. Improving the connection from Jones Park to Allen Park is a key objective.

This process includes implementing hydro-zoning which is a water conservation practice that defines zones of usage and plant types with differing watering requirements, and eco-zoning where the watering needs of plants are met by rainfall alone.

The planning process also considers the management of groundwater aquifers in terms of the total water cycle that includes storm water capture and infiltration into the aquifer, where it is stored, and eventual abstraction of the groundwater for watering of parks.

The City of Nedlands has four parks and reserves hierarchy classifications as described below which is consistent with the State Government’s (Landgate) policy, Classification Framework for Public Open Space (CFPOS) document. The classifications are used for classification of the City’s public open space which is contained in the document, Parks and Reserves Function and Hierarchy Classifications, (refer document library). The classifications are:

Jones Park is a local park in accordance with the Parks and Reserves Function and Hierarchy Classifications, (refer document library). Local park characteristics:

• are a small sized park that services the needs of the immediate residents in nearby streets
• comprise of a high proportion of recreation space and nature space
• do not provide for structured sports space
• have a catchment area contained to 400 metres or a five-minute walk
• have an area size of one hectare or less
• Include facilities/activities for example children’s play area, dog walking, picnics and BBQs, friends and family gatherings, relaxation and rest opportunities, casual sporting activity.

The following initiatives are proposed:

Access

• Install pathways and kerbing to separate turf areas from the eco-zoning areas
• Link pathways to points of interest, e.g. playground and bushland
• Complete path connection to Allen Park as part of Whadjuck Trail network
• Maintain vehicle access for servicing and operations

Amenity

• Locate seating in areas of shade
• Improve shade from trees at the playground
• Investigate an upgrade to the existing lighting
• Landscape sump and surrounds, remove dilapidated fencing

Environment

• Reconfigure and improve sizes of the main reticulation water line
• Improve reticulation (pipes, valves, sprinklers)
• Reduce turf area under irrigation to conserve water
• Use an automated central irrigation control system
• Develop hydro-zoning and eco-zoning areas
• Establish tree mulch zones to drip-line to support health of existing trees
• Plant native trees endemic to the area
• Increase the bushland area and tree canopy cover by minimum 20% in eco-zone areas

Fit for Purpose

• Install a drinking fountain
• Ensure there are grassed areas for winter sun
• Ensure the playground is safe and the playground area can be accessed by everyone
• Maintain lighting to path connecting Seaward Village to park
• Ensure park has dog waste disposal station away from seats and playground

The initiatives will be delivered over the long term.  The following initiatives have been listed for future Capital Works Program until 2022-23, with the exception of 2021-22 financial year as works are not planned for this year.

The Capital Works Program is reviewed on a yearly basis and as part of this review, the priorities may change as a result of the condition and age of the assets changing. The assets that require renewal will be replaced in accordance with this Enviro-Scape Master Plan. The priorities for the coming financial years are:

2018-19 Capital Works Program

• Replacement of irrigation system
• Installation of new path connection
• Installation of eco-zones and kerbing

2019-20 Capital Works Program

• Landscaping of sump and surrounds
• Replace 183 m of pine bollards with recycled plastic bollards

2020-21 Capital Works Program

• ·Replace access gate

2022-23 Capital Works Program

• Replace bike racks at playground