Provide shaded seats for spectators or parent/caregiver supervision (with clear sight lines) near activity areas and outside the safety clearances.
Seats should be provided near activity areas (such as play spaces, dog off leash parks, exercise stations, skate parks and sports and games), under shade, for parent/caregiver/dog owner supervision (with clear sight lines to activity areas) or for spectators.
Seats can be grouped in clusters of varying heights to provide gathering places for larger groups of users, and with other embellishments to reduce visual clutter and provide cohesion.
As per AS 1428.2 – ‘In areas of high use by people with ambulatory disabilities, such as areas frequented by elderly people, seats should be provided no more than 60 m apart alongside paths of travel’ to reduce fatigue. Universal access seats will also assist people with people with health conditions or impairments.
Provide shade by planting trees at the time of installation.
It is not recommended that seats be installed under mature trees as this can damage tree roots. If this is absolutely necessary, do not install on slab, but provide pier and beam footings. Excavation for footings should be made by hand or vacuum excavation under the supervision of a qualified arborist.
Seats should be positioned with respect to sun exposure, with shade trees and shelters sited to ensure seats are protected from the midday and afternoon sun.
In environmental sites, e.g. dunal areas, location of seating is to be rationalised with respect to viewing platforms, existing seating, foredune erosion, turtle nesting or other, site based environmental considerations.
Seat locations must be approved by asset custodians.
Figure 4: Plan – wheelchair/pram space adjacent to seat.
Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles apply.
Seats can get hot and are best positioned in the shade. If positioning a seat in a sunny location, choose a lighter colour.
Avoid locating seats near plants with leaves with cutting edges, sharp thorns, spikes, poisonous parts or locating seats under fragile tree limbs or trees prone to limb drop.
Do not install seats at locations where they may be used for climbing access onto embellishments such as shelters and shade sails.
Do not install seats where they may be used for climbing over a fence or wall (such as at fenced play spaces or dog off leash parks) – provide a minimum of 2.0 m clearance.
Locate seats with backs to solid objects, such as walls, planting, for security, and orient to optimise views.
For pedestrian and cyclist safety, comply with Austroads 500 mm min offset from path edge to any obstacle.
For accessibility AS 1428requires objects to not protrude into an accessible path of travel and seats shall be a min 500mm offset.
Consider additional space for legroom.
Seat
Play spaces
Inside park at least 2.0 m from fence
To prevent a child from climbing over the fence.
Seat
Skate park
5.0 m
Safe offset for observer/participant supervision/rest, avoid collision.
Seat
Dog off leash park (fenced)
Inside park at least 2.0 m from fence
To prevent dog escapes.
Seat
Exercise trails/hubs
Outside equipment use zone (varies)
Safety offset for observer/participant supervision/rest.
Seat
Sports and games
5.0 m
Safe offset for observer/participant supervision/rest.
Concrete slab edge
Clear area to any other embellishment
2.5 m
For deck mower clearance (where possible).
Avoid creating small difficult to mow areas.
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Sunshine Coast Open Space Landscape Infrastructure Manual (LIM) DISCLAIMER
Disclaimer
Information contained in this document may change without notice and you should use the current material available from Council’s website and not rely on material previously printed or stored by you.
All figures and diagrams are intended to be used as an aid to design and include Council’s preferred elements but they are not intended to be prescriptive and may need to be varied as dictated by site specific factors. While Council has exercised reasonable care in preparing this document, it does not warrant or represent that it is accurate or complete. The Council will not accept responsibility for any loss, damage, cost or expense that you may incur as a result of the use of or reliance upon any material contained in this document.
This document is produced to convey general information and is not intended to constitute advice whether professional or legal. Any reference to legislation in this document is not an interpretation of the law. It is to be used as a guide only. Consult relevant authority websites for current documents, revisions and amendments.
Where a particular product or supplier is profiled in this document, Council is NOT nominating this product or supplier as the selected choice. Product/supplier information has been provided to allow users to source products which contain the correct elements required for Council embellishments. Each product profiled states ‘or equivalent’ which means that different products may be supplied provided they satisfy the identified performance criteria, recommended standards, equal access guidance and product specifications.
Product design, manufacture and installation requires appropriately qualified people to provide site specific solutions to ensure the embellishment is appropriately adapted to local conditions and data.
This document does not override requirements stipulated in a development approval. Project specific variations may be appropriate as a result of site, environmental or other constraints. Any variations to these standards must be approved in writing by council prior to commencement of variation works. Components of this document may be used within a contract document but users should undertake their own investigations to confirm the information is suitable for this purpose.
Drawings contained in this document are NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION.
Details in this document are deemed to be the minimum standard and the user may wish to apply a higher standard subject to approval by council.
Acknowledgements
Council wishes to thank all contributors and stakeholders involved in the development of this document.
Copyright
Sunshine Coast Regional Council (Council) supports and encourages the distribution of its material however, copyright protects this document. Council has no objection to this material being reproduced but only if council is recognised as the owner of the copyright and this material remains unaltered.
