Case Studies
Redlynch Community Sports Facility
Design Feature
Type of project
Landowner Strategy
State
Queensland
Location
Regional
The 2006-2010 Cairns Regional Council Sport and Recreation Plan recognised the lack of sport and recreation infrastructure and suitable developable land available, in the rapidly growing Redlynch area.
Redeveloping the grounds at St Andrew’s Catholic College and opening them for community use following school hours, was offered as a potential solution. To ensure the site met all needs, a joint funded community sporting project partnership was set up between the Catholic Diocese of Cairns (landowners), Cairns Regional Council and the Queensland State Government Department National Parks Sport and Racing.
Redeveloping the grounds at St Andrew’s Catholic College and opening them for community use following school hours, was offered as a potential solution. To ensure the site met all needs, a joint funded community sporting project partnership was set up between the Catholic Diocese of Cairns (landowners), Cairns Regional Council and the Queensland State Government Department National Parks Sport and Racing.
Facilities for all
The Partners established the Redlynch Joint Facilities Masterplan, with recommendations to develop a range of community sporting and recreational opportunities to serve the Redlynch, Caravonica and Kamerunga communities, as well as providing in part for the Brinsmead and Freshwater communities.
The subsequent Redlynch Community Sports Facilities (RCSF) includes multi-purpose courts, amenities, bike ways and two sporting fields featuring lighting, state of the art irrigation and drainage systems (the fields are located on a flood prone area).
Stage One of the Redlynch Community Sports Facility was completed in 2009 which included outdoor multipurpose courts, amenities and two sporting fields featuring state-of-the-art irrigation. The drainage systems and lighting were installed in 2011.
### Summary of Council/School/Diocese Use
Council holds a lease with the Diocese over the recreational spaces, and an innovative land use management agreement between Diocese and Council details the rights and responsibilities of each party. A Board of management, which includes representation from Council, the school, the diocese and the general community, meets regularly to oversee operations, approve strategies and future joint initiatives.
The facility is available exclusively during school hours for the use of St Andrews College, who manage the day-to-day management. The facilities are then opened to the broader community and clubs after hours, with the Council responsible for any renewal, refurbishment and capital development.
### Summary of Community Use
The facilities are well utilised outside of school hours by community-based organisations (via formal hire arrangements) and the general public. The community, including other schools, use the facilities for regular training sessions on afternoons and nights during the week, and fixtures and competitions on weekends. The facility also hosts carnivals and tournaments throughout the year. The facilities are located within 800 meters of many homes in Redlynch, and many local children and young people use the facilities regularly (see Public Open Space). There is also a bus stop close by and bike paths on connecting roads, facilitating an active movement network.
### Future plans
The success of the RCSF and the ongoing commitment by each partner to the model, led to the decision to develop expanded facilities. The strategic acquisition of 51.43 hectares of undeveloped land adjoining the RCSF site and subsequent masterplan was finalised in 2017.
The new multi-sport and recreational precinct will provide for a range of new and complementary activities, which will not only meet the needs of the catchment but draw participation from the wider region in nature-based recreational pursuits.
The Masterplan recommended a staged project implementation, in accordance with the following zones:
Zone 1: AFL Cape York House for Girls
Zone 2: Community Facilities (indoor courts, meeting rooms, car parking and access)
Zone 3: Nature Based Recreation and Active Travel
Zone 4: Rectangular Sports (League, Soccer, Union)
Zone 5: Oval Sports (AFL, Cricket)
It is anticipated that Zone 1 will be completed by June 2018 and Zone 3 in mid-2019 utilising funding under the State Government Works for Queensland Program.
Council holds a lease with the Diocese over the recreational spaces, and an innovative land use management agreement between Diocese and Council details the rights and responsibilities of each party. A Board of management, which includes representation from Council, the school, the diocese and the general community, meets regularly to oversee operations, approve strategies and future joint initiatives.
The facility is available exclusively during school hours for the use of St Andrews College, who manage the day-to-day management. The facilities are then opened to the broader community and clubs after hours, with the Council responsible for any renewal, refurbishment and capital development.
### Summary of Community Use
The facilities are well utilised outside of school hours by community-based organisations (via formal hire arrangements) and the general public. The community, including other schools, use the facilities for regular training sessions on afternoons and nights during the week, and fixtures and competitions on weekends. The facility also hosts carnivals and tournaments throughout the year. The facilities are located within 800 meters of many homes in Redlynch, and many local children and young people use the facilities regularly (see Public Open Space). There is also a bus stop close by and bike paths on connecting roads, facilitating an active movement network.
### Future plans
The success of the RCSF and the ongoing commitment by each partner to the model, led to the decision to develop expanded facilities. The strategic acquisition of 51.43 hectares of undeveloped land adjoining the RCSF site and subsequent masterplan was finalised in 2017.
The new multi-sport and recreational precinct will provide for a range of new and complementary activities, which will not only meet the needs of the catchment but draw participation from the wider region in nature-based recreational pursuits.
The Masterplan recommended a staged project implementation, in accordance with the following zones:
Zone 1: AFL Cape York House for Girls
Zone 2: Community Facilities (indoor courts, meeting rooms, car parking and access)
Zone 3: Nature Based Recreation and Active Travel
Zone 4: Rectangular Sports (League, Soccer, Union)
Zone 5: Oval Sports (AFL, Cricket)
It is anticipated that Zone 1 will be completed by June 2018 and Zone 3 in mid-2019 utilising funding under the State Government Works for Queensland Program.
Project team
- St Andrew’s School (and St Andrew’s P&F)
- Diocese Education Office
- St Andrew’s Coordinating Committee
- Cairns Regional Council, Parks and Planning
- Technical consultants
- Education Queensland
- Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing
- Redlynch Primary School
Project Cost
Initial project: $2.9 Million, subsequent masterplan initiatives: $20 Million
Health value
- Improved connectivity, transport and leisure outcomes arising from the project will contribute to enhanced health and liveability within the region. Locals and visitors to the city will enjoy the preventative health benefits of using the trail, and Government will see the outcomes through reduced pressure on frontline health care services.
Economic value
The RCSF and adjoining parklands will:
- Increase the region’s appeal which will in turn drive up visitation and length of stay;
- Create employment opportunities during construction and from ongoing operations;
- Increase employment or educational opportunities particularly in sport and nature-based recreation; and
- Increase housing prices in the surrounding area though an improvement in lifestyle and liveability.
Environmental value
- There are important opportunities available on site to re-establish viable wildlife corridors from the current remnant patches of endangered ecosystems focussed around the Freshwater Creek corridor. This will not only improve habitat and biodiversity on the site, but provide a catalyst for future re-establishment of linked ecosystem corridors beyond the site.
Social value
The project has and will continue to:
- Build social capital, resilience, empowerment and capacity of community members;
- Deliver opportunities for social connection/engagement; and
- Increase community safety.
Use value
- A revegetated, nature based recreational corridor connecting the existing Council parklands along Freshwater Creek.
- Enhanced cycling and pedestrian opportunities through the site and linking surrounding residential catchments.
- Home of AFL Cape York House; an education, wellbeing and career-based program for indigenous girls.
- Expanded facilities for rectangular based sports.
- New facilities for oval based sports.
- Common, multi-use infrastructure to complement the adjoining Redlynch Community Sports Facility.
- Improved riparian habitat values.
- Better adherence to Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles.
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