Embellishments should be designed/selected and installed as follows:
Fit for purpose, appropriately positioned and accessible.
Durable, robust and safe (suitable for corrosive environments).
Vandal resistant with parts that are easily replaceable.
Easy to maintain (with appropriate warranty and workmanship).
Comply with relevant standards, legislation, corporate documents and approvals
Planning, design and positioning
Locate in parks, away from hazards and within line of sight for supervision
Locate playground/play space near or under shade patterns (not under drip line) of existing shade trees where possible. (North and west facing trees are desirable)
Public amenities – All Abilities play spaces would benefit from the inclusion of ‘Changing Places’ facilities
Play equipment must be located away from paths in a play space
Pathway clearance zones and equipment safety zones must be included
The site should be well drained, grassed and may be fenced. Positioning of fences and mowing strips must take into account natural drainage lines and overland flows to prevent trapping of water and ponding.
Play space/ground requirements
(A) Playgrounds – designed to reflect; needs of local community, children’s age and developmental level, learning capacity and needs, park user numbers. Design to 7 senses. Play elements should consider developmental opportunities (physical, social, cognitive, emotional). Water play and audio equipment must be compliant
(B) Natural activity areas – consult arborist prior to selection/installation of timber logs. Loose rocks located within 50 m of play area must be secured in concrete. All natural play elements must be independently certified to playground Australian Standards
(C) Playground surfacing – unitary surfacing (e.g. rubber) – Must be fully shaded. Wear pads must be installed directly under forced movement equipment. No wear pads under swings unless equal access is required. Light colours preferred. Loose fill – min. depth 400 mm, edging must be installed. No geofabric under.
(D) Shade sails – Ensure correct clearances. Install anti-climb vandal barriers. Site specific shade modelling
Signage – Park activity entry sign – mandatory. Locate near fenced entrances in garden bed or at most visible location near play area. All Abilities play spaces require equal access signage
(E) Fences and gates – may be required. All Abilities play spaces must be fully fenced. Vehicle gate and pedestrian gate(s) must be provided.
Materials
All coastal locations (east of Bruce Highway) must be constructed of coastal hardy materials and fixings i.e. 316 stainless steel, aluminium, HDPE/poly panels, timber (appropriate species, on 316 stainless steel post anchors)
Consider stainless steel fittings and fixtures in proximity to tidal, saline waterbodies west of the Bruce Highway
Artificial turf must NOT be used.
Note: Further guidance and clarification of the content on this page, can be found in the relevant sections of this information sheet.
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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.
