Woodlands District Park playground to be fast-tracked

The playground, which was initially planned as part of stage three of the park’s development, has been brought forward into stage one thanks to a $1.5 million commitment from council.

This is on top of $2 million in funding provided through the Queensland Government’s Works for Queensland program to undertake the initial works proposed as part of the master plan.

Construction of the playground is expected to start next financial year after the drainage and earthworks are finalised.

Design work, including for a Woodlands track to be built as part of the project, is nearing completion.

The Woodlands Master Plan envisaged a bike pump track, on which riders generate momentum by pumping (up and down body movements), rather than pedalling, or a “learn to ride” bike path.

Council opted for the latter, which will still be undulating and make use of natural mounds and gullies on the site.

Mayor Greg Williamson said council was committed to building inclusive communities and the new playground in Woodlands District Park was a positive step towards reaching that goal.

“The new facilities will provide hours of entertainment for children of all ages and abilities and those of us who are children at heart,” he said.

“It will be a district-level facility, so it will be similar in scale to the playgrounds at Queens Park and Northview Park, however this play facility will be designed for all-abilities.

Mayor Williamson said council was working hard to provide inclusive facilities across the region.

“We’ve been focussing on providing facilities such as all-abilities path upgrades, the installation of adult change facilities that cater to members of the community with a disability, and inclusive water play, which will be an exciting feature of Seaforth Esplanade’s new upgrades,” he said.

“We’re looking forward to adding this new all-abilities playground at Woodlands District Park to the list of inclusive facilities available for the public to enjoy.”

The development of the new 21-hectare Woodlands District Park will be staged, with initial construction works set to occur in the western side of the park where the former Broomdykes Drive Park in Beaconsfield was located. This area has already been cleared and will be referred to as the park’s Central Precinct.

Mayor Williamson said the Central Precinct would focus on active recreation.

“In addition to the all-abilities playground, the precinct will offer a range of family-friendly facilities including barbecue and picnic facilities, public toilets, multipurpose tracks and an expanded path network catering to everyone’s needs,” he said.

“Those wanting to enjoy a relaxing walk, bike ride, or jog, or something more adventurous like scootering, skateboarding or roller blading will all be accommodated with a multipurpose track.”

Civil works to improve drainage within the area and to naturalise the unsightly open swale drain running through the Central Precinct will also be undertaken.

The bulk of the earthworks and drainage improvements will begin mid-year and will be undertaken during the dry season. Construction of the inclusive playground, new public amenities and the other recreational facilities will commence after this work is complete.

The development of Central Precinct will be complemented by stage 2 and 3 which will focus on the Lake Precinct, which features the site’s existing small dam and will provide a tranquil setting where residents can relax, and the existing Woodlands Reserve which protects 10 hectares of remnant bushland.

This project is proudly funded by the Queensland Government’s Works for Queensland Program in association with Mackay Regional Council. To stay informed visit connectingmackay.com.au and subscribe to project update emails.

Stage one of Woodlands District Park upgrades will include:

• A new all-abilities playground
• A multipurpose active track (Woodlands Track), which will be suitable for all ages
• New barbecue and picnic facilities
• Public amenities including a Changing Places facility for the disabled community
• Improvements to the park’s entries
• Additional paths including the start of a new north-south connection through to Caledonian Drive and the extension of the existing cross-park (east-west) link.
• Drainage and landscaping improvements including the reshaping and re-planting of the unsightly open swale drain to naturalise the water course