Orbost - Forest Park upgrade

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The completion of the Orbost Forest Park playground was celebrated on 29 November 2024.

Thanks to everyone who turned out, including St Joesph’s Primary School and Orbost Community College students and teachers, Tim Bull MP, community groups, contractors, and Rotary for cooking the barbecue.

Funding was provided through the Council and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications via the Regional Recovery Partnerships program.





Project Background

The Forest Park Orbost upgrade will revitalise and modernise Orbost’s premier passive recreation area and visitor rest-stop. This will both grow local tourism by providing a destination for travelers using the Princes Highway; and provide a place for community members of all ages to gather, connect and enjoy the beautiful location and facilities. This will assist the Orbost community to recover from the 'Black Summer' fires that came on the heels of three years of drought and announcements that will see an end to the area’s native timber industry.

The works will include;

  • a new accessible toilet block with baby change facilities
  • access improvements, new paths and increased parking
  • an adventure playground
  • improved open spaces and shelter for picnics, barbecues, and family fun

Budget

Funding was provided through the Council and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications via the Regional Recovery Partnerships program.

Community consultation

Community consultation through in-person sessions and an online survey for feedback on the layout of the proposed plan was completed in June 2021. We thank everyone who participated in the consultation process. Council is reviewing all feedback and will be providing responses shortly.

The detail of the playground area is being co-designed with students from Orbost Secondary College. Their brief is to “design, plan and pitch a proposal for the new Forest Park playground. Playground should have elements suitable for ages 1-15”. This exciting initiative is being facilitated through the Broadening Horizons Program.

Council has hosted information sessions in Orbost to gather feedback on the proposed concept plan for the new and improved Forest Park, the sessions included a session with Councillors present to answer any concerns raised by the community.

The feedback received at all sessions was supportive of the plan with some additional input received. Council has awarded a detailed design contract to a local consultant.

To ensure the project meets the intended outcomes for community, Council has undertaken a detailed review of the proposed project costs based on the most recent concept design. As a result of this review, Council has determined that further refinement of the concept design was required and continued to work with the Project Representative Group and support the Orbost community on ways to deliver this important project.


For updates on the progress of the project please see the News Feed tab below



Project Background

The Forest Park Orbost upgrade will revitalise and modernise Orbost’s premier passive recreation area and visitor rest-stop. This will both grow local tourism by providing a destination for travelers using the Princes Highway; and provide a place for community members of all ages to gather, connect and enjoy the beautiful location and facilities. This will assist the Orbost community to recover from the 'Black Summer' fires that came on the heels of three years of drought and announcements that will see an end to the area’s native timber industry.

The works will include;

  • a new accessible toilet block with baby change facilities
  • access improvements, new paths and increased parking
  • an adventure playground
  • improved open spaces and shelter for picnics, barbecues, and family fun

Budget

Funding was provided through the Council and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications via the Regional Recovery Partnerships program.

Community consultation

Community consultation through in-person sessions and an online survey for feedback on the layout of the proposed plan was completed in June 2021. We thank everyone who participated in the consultation process. Council is reviewing all feedback and will be providing responses shortly.

The detail of the playground area is being co-designed with students from Orbost Secondary College. Their brief is to “design, plan and pitch a proposal for the new Forest Park playground. Playground should have elements suitable for ages 1-15”. This exciting initiative is being facilitated through the Broadening Horizons Program.

Council has hosted information sessions in Orbost to gather feedback on the proposed concept plan for the new and improved Forest Park, the sessions included a session with Councillors present to answer any concerns raised by the community.

The feedback received at all sessions was supportive of the plan with some additional input received. Council has awarded a detailed design contract to a local consultant.

To ensure the project meets the intended outcomes for community, Council has undertaken a detailed review of the proposed project costs based on the most recent concept design. As a result of this review, Council has determined that further refinement of the concept design was required and continued to work with the Project Representative Group and support the Orbost community on ways to deliver this important project.


For updates on the progress of the project please see the News Feed tab below

The completion of the Orbost Forest Park playground was celebrated on 29 November 2024.

Thanks to everyone who turned out, including St Joesph’s Primary School and Orbost Community College students and teachers, Tim Bull MP, community groups, contractors, and Rotary for cooking the barbecue.

Funding was provided through the Council and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications via the Regional Recovery Partnerships program.



  • 26 June 2024

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    The recent wet weather has delayed the playground installation, which is now scheduled for Monday the 1 July 2024.

    Landscaping is now in progress above the recently completed retaining walls, with some planting completed. Further planting and installation of public seating will soon be carried out, along with the addition of balustrade handrails where required.

    Park shelters are under construction and the new toilet block, which is being constructed offsite, is expected to be delivered and installed in the coming weeks, weather permitting.

    Kerb and channel to the court bowl area is underway and will allow for footpath connections to follow in the coming weeks.


    We welcome your continued interest in this project. Please feel free to share this update with your local network and choose to follow this project on YourSay to receive important information regarding this project directly to your inbox.

  • 14 May 2024

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    The bulk of the earthworks and retaining walls are nearing completion.

    Drainage infrastructure in the carpark and preparation for kerb and channel in the court bowl underway.

    Concrete steps and Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) accessible pathways are under construction, along with landscaping above the retaining walls.


    We welcome your continued interest in this project. Please feel free to share this update with your local network and choose to follow this project on YourSay to receive important information regarding this project directly to your inbox.

  • 24 April 2024

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    Whelans Group Investments Pty Ltd are continuing with demolition works and bulk earthworks throughout the site.

    The construction of retaining walls is progressing well.

    Works are anticipated to be completed in July 2024.

    Additional photos are available in the photos tab: Photos - Orbost Forest Park


    Please choose to follow this project on Your Say to receive important information regarding this project directly to your inbox.

  • 23 February 2024

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    Works are underway... Whelans Group Investments Pty Ltd have commenced clearing the site, with much of the old playground already removed.


    signage on the construction fence (Nicholson Street)
    signage on the construction fence (Forest Road)


    Access to Orbost’s Forest Park will be limited for the next few months while we upgrade the facilities.

    Visitors to the area are asked to observe construction signage and any directions from the contractor during the works.

  • Project Update - 13 February 2024

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    Access to Orbost’s Forest Park will be limited for the next few months while we upgrade the facilities. Visitors to the area are asked to observe construction signage and any directions from the contractor during the works.

    Following community feedback, the commencement of the project was delayed so we didn’t interrupt usage over the busy Christmas holiday period. Our contractor, Whelans Group Investments Pty Ltd, has since moved back on site and commenced works.

    Funding for this project has been provided by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications through the Regional Recovery Partnerships program, and East Gippsland Shire Council.

    Project updates will be provided on YourSay when available.

  • Project Update - 20 December 2023

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    Following community feedback, the commencement of the project has been delayed accommodating community events and a busy period for the Orbost township.

    The contractor, Whelans Group Investments Pty Ltd, intends to mobilise to site on 29 January 2024 to commence this exciting upgrade for the Orbost community and travelling public.

  • Project Update - 21 November 2023

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    Tender Contract Awarded

    Council awarded the tender contract at their meeting on 26 September to Whelans Group Investments. Works are likely to commence onsite in January 2024.

  • Project Update - 10 October 2023

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    The tender for construction of the Orbost Forest Park civil works was awarded at the 26 September Council meeting to local East Gippsland business Whelans Group Investments.

    The revised scope for the upgrade of the park was required to meet the available budget and was approved by the project reference group.

    Whelans are hoping to mobilise to site to conduct some of the initial works prior to Christmas and then commence further works in the New Year. The upgrade of the park will greatly improve local amenity and visitor experience.

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  • Project Update - 20 May 2023

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    supporting image

    The revised project scope has been accepted.

    The fig tree in the centre of the roundabout has been assessed as in decline and it is unlikely that the tree will be viable in the medium to long term. Council understands that there is sentimentality to this particular fig tree, but it has struggled to live in its location.

    It has been decided to remove the tree and replace it with a more suitable species. Each of these species are suitable to be placed within the centre of a roundabout as their root systems will not be constrained or impacted by surrounding kerb and asphalt.

    The proposed options are:

    • Acer Rubrum 'October Glory'
    • Fraxinus Pennsylvanica 'Urbanite' or
    • Nyssa Sylvatica

    Detailed design will be finalised within a month, with procurement to follow. The Chamber of Commerce has requested that Council avoid closure of the park over the summer period (December / January). Council is discussing how to programme the works to accommodate this while adhering to the milestone requirements of the funding agreement.

    To view the latest design, click here

  • Project Update 5/04/2023

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    The project's scope and proposed concept plan has been amended due to budget constraints.

    Council are proposing to deliver:

    • a new toilet block
    • a new junior play area
    • main picnic shelter
    • main retaining wall and;
    • a portion of the car park works

    While the scope items to be removed are:

    • the Forest Rd carpark improvements
    • rail trail head
    • path improvements
    • a portion of the carpark works
    • the all ages play area and;
    • the shelter adjacent to the toilet block

    The concept plan (provided in the documents section) provides an overview of the revised scope. This has been presented to the Project Representative Group.

    A request to vary the scope of the project has been submitted to the Commonwealth Government. Council is waiting on the outcome of this request.

    The tender documentation will now be ready in May 2023 with tender award and delivery to follow pending the approval of the variation request.