The final stage of the Talbot Park playspace upgrade is underway, with works scheduled to start 8 January 2024.

Following two stages of community consultation, the final design will see exciting new playspace equipment and park seating added to the space, including:

• A combination play unit
• A play boat with shade sail
• A flying fox
• A basket swing
• A rocker and spinner
• Challenging climbing equipment.

The final design is available to download from the Document Library. Thank you to everyone who provided feedback. Your ideas and insights on how we can make this playspace more engaging for children and their families is appreciated.

We anticipate the works will be finished in April 2024.

As part of the works, we are installing drainage infrastructure to prevent flooding at the reserve, as well as new footpaths that enhance the accessibility of the playspace. We have designed the upgrade to be sensitive to the surrounding landscape and infrastructure. As previously communicated, our arborist assessed the trees at the site and advised that to enable the drainage improvement work and upgrade the playspace, there will be a requirement to remove 16 trees from the site. We will reinstate 30 new trees around the reserve to replace those removed, and make landscaping improvements to retain the visual character of the reserve.

During the works, the playspace will be closed. There will also be restricted access from Coonil Street throughout the project.

We look forward to opening an exciting new space for the community soon.

Late last year, Council sought ideas and feedback from the local community for a new playspace at Talbot Park.

We wanted to let you know that we have been working on incorporating the community’s ideas into an exciting draft concept plan that also provides drainage improvements to the reserve.

The project will deliver the following benefits for the Oakleigh South community:

• Drainage Improvements to reserve
• New playspace and recreation infrastructure
• Removal of old bocce strip
• General reserve improvements such as visual amenity, accessibility, connections and perceptions of safety

Thank you to those who participated in this project. Your feedback will be taken into account for the next stage of the project.

Council is planning to upgrade the playspace at Talbot Park, Oakleigh South to make it more interesting and fun for local children.

As a first step, we’d like to get your ideas on what could be included in the new park and other ideas for improvements to the reserve. These ideas will be used to develop a draft design, which we will then seek community feedback on.

Future design work for Talbot Park will only consider ideas that are appropriate for a reserve of this size and will take into consideration the site history, context and existing constraints of the reserve.

We look forward to making a place that is interesting and fun for the community, as well as investing in other features at the reserve to make it more welcoming and accessible for residents.

Thank you in advance for any feedback you are able to provide – together we can create a wonderful space.

Feedback is sought by Friday 17 December 2021.