Orbost - Forest Park upgrade

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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 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 Update 4/08/2022

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    Council is pleased to advise that the schedule for delivery of this project has been revised with Council and the Commonwealth Government. An update to the project timelines has been provided below.

    Detailed Design complete – February 2023

    Construction Contract Award – May 2023

    Project Complete – September 2024

    Community Consultation for the conceptual design was undertaken with six open sessions to discuss the plan, utilising an online survey and co-designed with students from Orbost Secondary College. Their brief was to “design, plan and pitch a proposal for the new Forest Park playground”.

    This exciting initiative has been facilitated through the Broadening Horizons Program and will have playground elements suitable for ages 1-15 years.

    The local Project Representative Group made up of local Orbost residents will now undertake the review of the detailed design phase.

    During the detailed design phase the local Project Representative Group will be undertaking value management due to increasing budgetary pressures due to cost escalations seen throughout the economy. Any changes will be decided on in collaboration with the Project Representative Group and communicated to the wider community.


  • Project Update 18/05/2022

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    Council have revised the proposed concept plan due to the outcomes of the consultation sessions. This new plan along with other consultation material can be found in the documents section of this page.

    Council Officers will be available in Orbost during the following times to discuss the revised plan:

    10 am to 12 pm on 24 May at Ruskin Street Service Centre; and

    11 am to 1 pm on 26 May at Nicholson Street, at the end of Lawson Street

    Please come along and meet with Council Officers and discuss the proposed concept plans for this exciting upgrade!

  • Project Update 15/02/2022

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    Following a thorough community consultation period in 2021 and constructive feedback, Council has decided to heavily revise the initial concept for Forest Park, Orbost, which will revitalise and modernise the town’s premier recreation area, visitor rest-stop and gateway to its rail trail.

    In response to this feedback, a new concept plan is being developed with public release to occur in the next two months.

    The project will stimulate the local economy and provide significant community benefits to the town.

    Council will reconvene a representative group from the community during this time to ensure our response to the feedback is appropriate. Once a new concept plan is developed, planning for procurement and construction will be able to commence.

    Council would like to take this opportunity to thank the wider community of Orbost for their valuable input.

  • Community Consultation Complete

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    In person community consultation sessions and an online survey for feedback on the concept plan ended in June 2021. We thank everyone who took part in the consultation process and value all feedback received. Council are currently preparing responses to all feedback received, stay tuned for more information by October. After full consideration of the feedback received during the consultation process we are revising the current plan. An updated concept plan will be developed and released for feedback by the end of 2021.

Page last updated: 20 Dec 2024, 11:33 AM