Playspace Strategic Framework
In 2025, Council adopted the Playspace Strategic Framework which provides a clear direction for the design, planning, provision, management, maintenance and renewal of play spaces over the next 10 years, taking into consideration community needs, play trends, growth areas, existing distribution of play spaces, play value, condition of existing play spaces and resource availability.
Council's vision for play
Our diverse range of play spaces are accessible and well-designed and encourage active, social living across the city for residents and visitors of all ages.
Play is the way that children learn about the world and their role in it. It can be physical, social, cognitive, imaginative and creative – sometimes all at once. The value of rich play opportunities, particularly in early childhood in terms of acquiring skills, knowledge and self-awareness is immeasurable. The benefits of children’s play include:
- Play creates physically and emotionally healthy children
- Play balances risk-taking and safety
- Play connects children with their community
- Play supports children’s learning
- Play gives children time and space to relax and just ‘be’
The City of Warrnambool currently provides 60 play spaces throughout the municipality.
Renewal of Playspace
Current playground equipment is replaced with a new design, a wheelchair friendly seat and resting areas. The surface around the play equipment will be rubber soft fall and surrounded by playground safe tan bark.
This renewal does not include fixed shade structures, water play, an increase in playground size or change in playground hierarchy (ie. Local playgrounds will remain a neighbourhood playground).
Different types of equipment and play opportunities have a different lifespan, depending upon the type of material they are constructed of, their exposure to weather and coastal conditions (rust and rot are two major issues in Warrnambool play spaces), the quality of material used in construction and the amount of use the site receives.
Wherever possible, it is recommended that rather than assuming equipment or opportunities need to be replaced in a certain year because that is how long they are reasonably expected to last, that an assessment is undertaken each year to identify ways in which to prolong the lifespan of items.
Dennington Playground Relocation
In February 2026 we sought community feedback on a proposal to relocate a playground from the Dennington Recreation Reserve to the northern section of Coghlans Reserve, North Dennington – between Bourne Boulevard and Gat Sing Way. We are currently looking at how to deliver the best outcome for the community.
