Council is pleased to advise that works in Campbell Street and its intersection with James Street, and early works for the Play and Skate project will soon be underway.

We have been working on design planning and approvals for upgrade works for Campbell Street and James Street to improve drainage, parking and accessible and safe footpath connections for this multi-use and popular destination. With the Play and Skate project now commencing detailed design works, an overall plan for the project area has been finalised. This has included ensuring that works do not impact on the delivery of the Port Fairy Folk Festival and other site users.

These projects will be delivered under a range of funding sources including the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, the Federal Government’s Black Spot Program, the State Government’s Sport and Recreation Regional Community Infrastructure Fund and Moyne Shire Council for a total value of $3.9m – a major investment in much needed infrastructure and assets for residents and visitors.

Council is now in a position to proceed with the project which will be managed in-house through the Project Management Office in partnership with teams from construction, civil works, buildings and assets, and engineering. The design and construction of the Skate and Play Precinct will be managed under the design and build contract with Convic.

The overall project will comprise of the following key works:

• Underground stormwater drainage.
• Kerb and channel on the north and south side of Campbell Street.
• Folk Festival entrance upgrades.
• Angle car parking on the south side of Campbell Street and parallel car parking on the north side of Campbell Street.
• 2.5m wide accessible concrete footpath on the south side of Campbell Street between Sackville Street and James Street.
• James Street and Campbell Street raised intersection upgrade with wombat crossings.
• Road rehabilitation works on Campbell Street between Sackville Street and Union Street.
• Construction of new car park adjacent to Belfast Aquatics with connecting footpath to Belfast Aquatics.
• Construction of the Play and Skate Precinct.

There are a number of outcomes and improvements that this major investment will deliver for residents, visitors and the wider community. These include:

• Improvements to the drainage network to manage increased risks of flooding from extreme weather events and growing pressure on overall drainage network and capacity.
• Provide for accessible and Disability Discrimination Act compliant footpaths and parking to meets mobility, access and equity needs for all community members, including pedestrians and cyclists.
• Provide dedicated disabled parking spaces in this popular destination for sport, recreation and events.
• Address vehicle and pedestrian safety at the Campbell Street / James Street intersection.
• Provide greater protection from vehicles and parking impacts to the heritage listed Norfolk Island Pines through formalised parking and installation of permeable pavers.
• Support the operation and delivery of the Port Fairy Folk Festival through improved entry treatments particularly for larger vehicles and volume of vehicles.
• Provide for much needed recreation, skate and play facilities for residents, the wider community and visitors
• Respond to the growing use and visitation to the area and its many assets and facilities both current and future.

Traffic management will be in place through these works and at times, traffic and access delays are likely. This is unavoidable due to the nature of the works, but Council will minimise disruption as much as possible. Local access for residents and visitors to Southcombe Park Facilities including Belfast Aquatics, Basketball Stadium etc will be provided when road closures are in place.

Construction times will be between 07.30 to 17:30 Monday to Friday and if required, 08.30 to 13:00 on Saturday. No works on Sunday or public holidays will be undertaken. Works over the peak Christmas summer period will also be minimised whilst ensuring that works progress in order to meet Folk Festival commencement timeframes.

It’s good news all round for the long-awaited Port Fairy skatepark and play space- with the State Government providing a funding boost and contractors being appointed to design and build the precinct.

Sport and Recreation Victoria announced on Thursday Council’s application for a further $1 million for the project was successful – meaning the project can be completed in alignment with the 2023 Concept Plan at Russell Clark Reserve, which has been extensively consulted on.

Deputy Mayor Cr Karen Foster said contractors had also been appointed for the detailed design and construction of the new spaces.

Cr Foster said Convic had won the contract in a competitive and thorough process in line with Council’s strict procurement guidelines and policy.

“We have taken some big leaps forward with this project,” she said.

“The additional funding from the State Government means the total budget it now $2.7 million it will allow us to complete additional works including toilet facilities, picnic areas, activity spaces, parking and civil works which were planned for future stages.

“The funding will allow us to create a fantastic, family friendly space which the community has helped shaped. It’s going to be wonderful space for the whole community to come together and enjoy.

Cr Foster said Council teams are working with the contractors on timelines for construction and will keep the community informed of progress.

“This has been a long time in the works, but we have got through the longest part of the process – we now have a fantastic central location and a design which the community have been consulted on. We are now ready to go, and work will start soon to deliver this new family friendly precinct.”

The Port Fairy Skate Park and play space has taken another step forward – with the project going to tender for design and construction.

Mayor Cr Ian Smith said it was a major milestone for the project. “We are now in a place to ask for contractors to complete the detailed designs and to construct the new play space and skate park at Russell Clarke Reserve,” he said.

“This is really exciting; we know the community has been waiting for a long time for this and are progressing this project as a key priority for Council.

“We are on track to start construction mid-year – so it won’t be long now until people start seeing action on site.”

Cr Smith said there has been an extensive process to find an appropriate site and for the development of the concept designs.

Tenders are now open and will close on March 13.

The November 2023 Port Fairy Skate and Play concept design report is now available to download. This features some design updates as a result of listening to community feedback from October consultations. These include offering more challenging play equipment for older children, some modifications to the skate design increasing offsets from residences from 50m to 55m, additional fencing to playground area and more shaded and landscape areas.

The community information sessions held on 22-23 November provided these latest concept design plans to the community, along with an opportunity to walk through the site layout with the designers. Council is pleased to be moving forward on this project, which meets the local community’s need for activity and play spaces.

Over 100 people attended the on-site 23 November public meeting and were given the opportunity to provide feedback and ask questions of the design consultants Convic and Council staff. Council also separately met with the residents group to further discuss aspects of the development.

Council has listened to the concerns and ideas from both sides, and the design team will assess what ideas are feasible to include in the final Concept Design Plan. This will be completed by the end of the year to then progress the project to detailed design and construction stages in 2024.

9:30am Thursday 23 November
Russell Clark Reserve, corner James and Campbell Streets

Design consultants Convic will be in Port Fairy to finalise the concept design plans for the new skate and play facility. The design team along with Council officers will be on-site to talk and walk through the site design and layout.

A new district level play space and skatepark for Port Fairy will be co-located at Port Fairy’s Russell Clark Reserve.

Councillors adopted the co-location in the northern area of the reserve, near the corner of James and Cambell Street at Tuesday’s Council meeting.

The decision follows public consultation on potential sites within the Southcombe Park precinct and Russell Clarke Reserve areas which occurred in person and online during July and through a mail out to Campbell Street area residents.

Whilst the general feedback was positive around the overall locations, there was overwhelming preference was for co-location of the playground and skatepark. The only site where this could occur is in the Russell Clarke Reserve.

Mayor Cr Karen Foster said now the site had been determined, the next steps would begin immediately.

“We’ve listened to the feedback and responded with a decision to co-locate both spaces,” Cr Foster said.

“Now the site is locked-in, we will begin the concept designs for both the play space and skate park immediately and then work through those designs with a community based advisory group.

“At this stage we are on track to commence site work mid next year.

“This is an exciting step forward as we know this has been a long time coming. But we have found the best location possible so now it’s time to get on and build these great new facilities.”

Cr Foster said Council staff had been engaging with Port Fairy Parkrun.

“We know that’s a really important community event and we don’t want to lose it, so we are working through a range of options with Parkrun organisers to meet the global park run requirements and to ensure it can continue within Russell Clarke Reserve,” she said.

“The skatepark and playground, combined with Parkrun will activate Russell Clarke Reserve and ensure it is even more well utilised public space.”

Cr Foster said Council was already investigating options to improve parking and traffic flow on Campbell Street and improve safety at the intersection with James Street.

The community-based advisory group will be made up of members of the original skate park advisory group and people who registered their interest in the project through the July public consultation process.