Improving safety at Camperdown Memorial Rest Park and Fleming Playground, Newtown

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In response to community concerns about safety in Camperdown Memorial Rest Park and Fleming Playground, Council is putting in place a number of measures under the Parksafe initiative and is seeking your input. Council also wants to hear your experiences and how safe you feel in the two parks.

Jump straight to the survey now or read on.

Camperdown Memorial Rest Park is an important area of open space which is highly valued by the local community. It’s a culturally unique area of open space near the creative hub of Newtown. However the park’s location, size and popularity have brought

In response to community concerns about safety in Camperdown Memorial Rest Park and Fleming Playground, Council is putting in place a number of measures under the Parksafe initiative and is seeking your input. Council also wants to hear your experiences and how safe you feel in the two parks.

Jump straight to the survey now or read on.

Camperdown Memorial Rest Park is an important area of open space which is highly valued by the local community. It’s a culturally unique area of open space near the creative hub of Newtown. However the park’s location, size and popularity have brought about problems with anti-social behaviour especially at night.

Similar issues have also been experienced in Fleming Playground (corner Albermarle and Denison Streets).
Inner West Council is working to ensure these valued public assets are safe and welcoming for all.


Click on plan for larger view

Managing alcohol consumption

Council is reviewing the current arrangements for managing alcohol consumption in the park. Currently alcohol is prohibited in the entire park between 9pm and 9am however enforcement can be difficult over such a large area. One strategy could be to ban alcohol consumption near adjacent residences (i.e. alongside Australia Street) but permit it in the other areas with no restriction on hours. This would allow Council’s rangers and the police to more easily enforce the restrictions. We'd like to know your views.


Proposed location for new toilet facilities

Council recognises that there is strong community support for toilet facilities in the park and is seeking feedback on the location and hours of operation. The proposed location for the toilets has been selected based on protecting view lines into the park, safety by design principles and minimising impacts on trees.


Park lighting improvements

To discourage anti-social behaviour, Council will trial lighting only the pathways (and not the green space) in Camperdown Memorial Rest Park over the 2018/2019 summer period. We’ll also identify options for funding long term lighting improvements along key park pathways.


Other initiatives

Council would also like to know your views on:

  • Increased Council ranger patrols in the evening
  • Removing the picnic shelter and establishing a community garden at Fleming Playground
  • Ideas to activate the parks


Working with the community

Council is liaising with NSW Police and local community organisations including Newtown Neighbourhood Centre to put the Parksafe initiative in place.


Have your say

  • In the online survey below
  • By mail, addressed to Inner West Council, PO Box 14, Petersham 2049. Please mark your letter Parksafe-public comment
  • Fill in survey at a park pop-up in Camperdown Memorial Rest Park
  • Sunday 11 November 9:30am – 5.30pm at Newtown Festival
  • Friday, 16 November 4pm – 6pm
  • Saturday, 17 November 12 noon – 2pm

Survey closes Sunday 18 November at midnight.

We would like to hear from everyone who cares about the parks. Council will be engaging with young people who use these spaces, including working with local youth outreach organisations.


Enquiries

If you have an enquiry, please contact Aaron Callaghan, Parks Planning and Engagement Manager, on 9392 5634 or aaron.callaghan@innerwest.nsw.gov.au


What happens next

Council will consider a community survey outcomes report and an interim assessment of the lighting trial at its meeting on Tuesday, 11 December 2018. Everyone who completes a survey and provides their contact details, will be informed of Council’s resolutions from the meeting.


  • Council considers engagement report

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    Council considered a post engagement report at its meeting on 11 December 2018 and resolved

    1. To endorse the proposed location for the public toilets within the park as outlined
    in the report and proceed to deliver these facilities in 2019
    2. In response to the engagement survey outcomes, establishes an alcohol
    prohibited area in the park as a trial to be completed when the lighting trial
    ends and a report be made to Council as to its outcome and seek the NSW
    Police and seek NSW Police assistance in administering this area
    3.To Maintain the current alcohol restrictions (9am-9pm) in other areas within the
    park
    4. To undertake a public education campaign within Camperdown Memorial Rest
    Park and Fleming Street Playground similar to the program which has been run
    by the City of Sydney
    5. To note the public request for increased ranger patrols in Camperdown Memorial
    Rest Park after dark
    6. Subject to future partner funding support or grant funding, the option of a Park
    Ambassador program be considered should anti-social problems continue to
    be a concern to park users
    7. To receive a report by March 2019 with recommendations for the holistic
    management of Fleming Park, canvassing the range of options that have been
    previously raised by local residents including updating signage, repairs to the
    fence, and updated landscaping in addition to the two options canvased in
    community engagement (community garden and removal of the picnic table)
    8. To receive a report by March 2019 with recommendations on how Council can
    facilitate a program of community run activations and events in Camperdown
    Rest Memorial park, as addressed in the meeting held at Newtown
    Neighbourhood Centre earlier this year;
    9. Officers provide a report back to Council on the outcome of all Parksafe
    activities at the conclusion of the lighting trial in 2019; and
    10. To review Lennox Street Lighting with the aim of reducing light spillage affecting
    residents.

    For more information read the Council Report and view the meeting minutes.