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The Glenmore Park Child and Family Precinct | home Frequently Asked Questions (Updated June 2007) This document outlines a number of frequently asked questions raised during the design stage for the Glenmore Park Child and Family Precinct project. Some of the responses have been updated. This new information is highlighted in italics. In addition, a small number of new frequently asked questions have been added to the document. These questions are outlined at the end of the document. What is currently being planned for the precinct? Council is planning to develop a ‘community hub’ that will provide not only community facilities and services for the local community as well as a range of activities and opportunities that foster neighbourhood identity and encourage community interaction. The emphasis will be on ‘place making’ rather then ‘facility provision”. The community ‘hub’ will have six function areas. These include:
What is a community ‘hub’? A ‘community hub’ is a special place with meaning that invites interaction between local residents. It is a place where people feel welcome to sit, chat, and establish new friendships. Update – It also offers some services for the local community and the future residents of What services will be offered from the Child and Family Centre? The Child and Family Centre will accommodate a long day care service for 0 – 5 year olds, community meeting rooms, a consulting room, office space for community service providers and a reception area for room bookings, community information, and the payment of fees. Two rooms will also be available for community related service providers who offer a service compatible with the Centre (eg. speech pathologist, child psychologist, fitness programs etc). Why are we building another community centre when we already have three in Council is planning to build a Child and Family Centre that will offer an integrated child and family service. The design and operation of the centre will be very different from other types of community centres in Update– The Glenmore Park Child and Family Centre has been designed to cater for the needs of residents living in the existing estate as well as the residents of the future expansion area of Glenmore Park Stage 2. How big will the Child and Family Centre be? Council is in the early stages of designing the precinct. We have estimated that the Child and Family Centre will be approximately 850m2 in size. This is approximately 1 ½ times the size of Surveyors Creek Community Centre that is located on Update - The What is the size of the site/precinct? The Precinct is 1.511 hectares in size. Approximately a third of the site can’t be developed due to an overland water flow path that is situated on the western end of the site. The overland flow path cannot be obstructed. As a result some of the Precinct will be left as open space. How many levels will the Child and Family Centre have? One level. Will the development definitely go ahead? Planning for the precinct commenced in 1995 when Council adopted the Eastern Hamlets Development Control Plan. This plan identifies the Child and Family Precinct for “future neighbourhood business and community facility uses”. Council has been levying contributions from developers since 1993 for the provision of community facilities in the Blue Hills area. These contributions will fund this project. After significant research and consultations Council has approved this development to go ahead. Update - A Master Plan and details drawings have now been developed for the project. A Development Application was lodged in late April 2007. It is anticipated that this application will be determined in mid-October 2007. How will the Adventure Play Area be different from the existing playgrounds in Glenmore Park? The adventure play area will be one of the attractions of the precinct. It will blend into the natural landscape using a variety of natural materials. The design will provide physical challenges to children of all ages and encourage social interaction between children and adults. The adventure play area will be linked to the terrace area of the coffee shop/corner store where parents can easily observe their children at play while enjoying a coffee or just relaxing. If the coffee shop is not viable will it be boarded up/closed? The coffee shop/corner store will play a key role in creating and supporting the ‘community hub’. The facility will be separate from the Child and Family Centre but have strong links to it as well as to the Adventure Play area and the outdoor meeting area. The coffee shop/store will, for example, be designed to encourage people to sit and relax, read a newspaper, meet a friend or watch their children play. It will be in Council’s interest to support the coffee shop/store operator and ensure that it remains open to the community. Will the coffee shop/store be privately owned? Council will own all of the buildings to be provided in the precinct but a suitable tenant will be sought to lease the coffee shop/store. Will external lighting be provided? Yes, lighting that is strategically placed can have an impact on reducing the fear of crime. Sufficient lighting is necessary for people to see and be seen. The lighting designed for the precinct will take into consideration the intended uses of the buildings and be designed accordingly to enhance public and building safety. Areas of the precinct not intended for evening use will be designed utilising Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles to discourage use or gathering at night. Will security cameras be considered for the outdoor areas? Again, Crime Prevention through Environmental Design principles will be used in all aspects of the precinct design. A number of security measures will be incorporated into the design of the new precinct. This will include the provision of wiring for security lighting and security cameras. Update – Additional security measures have been incorporated into the design. These measures include the provision of a gate at the entry to the car park and a fenced area that loops around the Adventure Play area and secures the northern perimeter of both Coffee Shop/Corner Store and Child and Family Centre. In addition, Council is currently developing a Plan of Management for the Precinct that will also identify other security measures such as regular evening Security Patrols. During construction stage will workers be required to park their vehicles on the site and not on the local streets? Council will, as part of the Development Application submission, assess and consider a traffic management plan. Details regarding vehicle parking during construction, pedestrian safety, delivery of materials and access to the site will form part of the requirements that Council will need to address. Will people be allowed to park around the perimeter of the precinct once it is operational? On site parking will be provided on the precinct and will be accessed from Update – A buffer zone will also be provided between the planned facilities and the residential area. This zone will consist of plantings and landscaping that will encourage drivers to park their vehicle in the car park and pedestrians to use the footpaths provided around and through the precinct. Will the Precinct increase the traffic on the Parkway and Arrivals and departures from most children’s centres are staggered. The long day care service will most likely operate from 7:00am – 6:00pm. In addition the most popular meeting room booking times for community groups and community programs is between 10:00am and 12noon and 1:00pm and 3:00pm. Council doesn’t anticipate the precinct activity to significantly impact on the traffic movement around the area at peak times. Will pedestrian safety be considered especially were there are no footpaths in local streets? This matter has been referred to Council’s Asset Manager for consideration. Pedestrian safety is a priority for Council. Update – Thecurrent foot path paving construction program for the Penrith LGA was adopted by Council in 2001/02. Any path paving not on this list will not be considered until at least 2009/10. Afootpath and cycleway will be provided around the fenced sections of the Adventure Play Area linking the How will the pedestrian and bike access from the precinct to the wetlands and the cycleway be managed? Pedestrian and bike access will be considered as part of a pedestrian and traffic study and the most appropriate mechanisms will be in place to ensure the safety of local residents. Will there be a turning lane into the precinct from A traffic study will be undertaken as part of the Development Application process. This study will consider traffic movement around the precinct. Update - A local traffic estimate was undertaken and has been submitted with the Development Application. This estimate monitored vehicle movement and speed. Will toilet facilities be available? Toilet facilities in the precinct will be designed using Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles. Toilet facilities will also need to be well placed in the precinct to ensure good natural surveillance by other users of the precinct to promote strong guardianship. Toilets that are well used by the community are less likely to attract vandalism and misuse. Council is currently planning to incorporate a toilet facility within the coffee shop/store. Update – An accessible public toilet will be provided in the coffee shop / corner store. In addition accessible toilet facilities will also be provided in the Child and Family Centre. These facilities will be available for public use when the Centre is open. Will the car park area be locked at night? This is generally considered to be good practice. Whilst it does require some management cooperation by the users of the precinct it has proven to minimise non-specific after hour gatherings in car parks elsewhere in the city. Update – a gate will be provided at the entry to the car parking area. This gate will be locked at night. Can a postal box be located on the precinct? Council will make enquiries of Australia Post. Update - Council has contacted How will loitering after hours be managed? The Precinct will be designed to minimise opportunities for loitering through lighting, building design, and landscaping. A diverse range of activities and services will be provided on the precinct that will not only complimented each other but also encourage community activity and ‘people movement’ around the precinct seven days a week. Research indicates that the more people who visit and move around the precinct (passive surveillance) the less opportunity for anti-social behaviour. Update – A fence will be provided that will loop around the Adventure Play area and secure the northern section of both Coffee Shop/Corner Store and Child and Family Centre. In addition, Council is currently developing a Plan of Management for the Precinct that will also identify other security measures such as regular evening Security Petrols. What is happening in the Southern Expansion area of Planning is underway for a Stage 2 expansion of the Additional Frequently Asked Questions (as of June 2007) Can the buildings be kept to the northern end of the site so that they don’t interfere with views from people houses? The design and location of the facilities should not obstruct the visual link from Will there be adequate storage provision in the Child and Family Centre? A range of storage spaces will be provided in the Child and Family Centre including store rooms for large articles, storage cupboards for small articles, a cleaning cupboard, a cleaner’s room, and separate garbage and recycling rooms. How will Council ensure that the buildings won’t just provide another canvas for graffiti? Council has developed a Crime Prevention through Environmental Design – Development Control Plan (DCP). One of the key objectives of this DCP is to ensure that new developments promote crime prevention through environmental design. The following CPTED measures were considered during the design process of the Glenmore Park Child and Family Precinct:
In addition to focusing on Crime Prevention through Environmental Design principles, Council will also be establishing a Management Plan for the Precinct. Will there be adequate car parking? The car parking area has been designed in accordance with Australian Standards and other relevant regulations. A drop off area has been provided near the entry to the Child and Family Centre. There will also be a delivery area to the Corner Store / Coffee Shop. An over-flow car parking area will also be provided on site. How will security, general maintenance of the site and amenities, watering of plants etc be managed? Council is currently developing a Maintenance Plan which will outline the cost and frequency of maintenance requirements as well as a whole of life costs for the facilities and infrastructure. This plan will inform Council’s decision making process regarding future maintenance structure for the precinct. Will there be private functions held at the centre? (eg. 21st birthday parties) The Child and Family Centre will have two community meeting rooms. The largest room is approximate 70m2 in size and will comfortably sit between 50 – 60 people. Though the rooms will be available for private hire this type of activity will be limited to activities considered appropriate to the venue design and permissible under the hours of operation determined by the Development Application. Such activities would include children’s birthday party or children’s christening. A variety of larger meeting room spaces are available in other facilities located in What Environmental Sustainability Principles have been included in the project? The following Environmental Sustainability Principles have been included in the design of the Glenmore Park Child and Family Precinct:
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