Draft Nelson Square Concept Plan

City of Port Lincoln invited the community to give feedback on the new design concept for the enhancement of Nelson Square from Thursday 19 January 2023 to 4pm on Thursday 9 February 2023.

Previous community consultation was conducted on the Nelson Square Dog Park Concept from 16 September 2021 to 7 October 2021. Throughout the consultation, feedback was generally supportive of the concept as designed, however there were objections raised, some in opposition to the potential sale of land and some in significant opposition to the dog park concept itself being located at the reserve. As a result of community consultation and feedback Council determined at the Ordinary Council meeting held on Monday 18 October 2021 to pause any further decision until an alternative layout plan had been developed for the entire Nelson Square reserve that did not include a dog park.

Council engaged local company E+MQ Architect & Landscape Interior Design to come up with a concept to enhance the amenity of the reserve taking into consideration previous feedback on what the community would like to see for the community reserve.

The proposed upgrades at Nelson Square will be fully funded through the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program. The $250,000 will go towards revitalising the much needed and loved community reserve.

The concept for Nelson Square has been designed around accessibility, protecting the native Flora and Fauna and creating a space for families to gather, relax and play.

The enhancements will include refurbishment of the old Tennis Court Clubrooms into an accessible/unisex toilet and new shelter / BBQ area and seating. The old tennis courts will be upgraded to a multifunctional sports space for playing tennis including netball and basketball with the inclusion of netball and basketball rings.

The existing playground will be removed, and new play equipment installed, including featuring repurposed equipment from the foreshore playground. Internal footpaths will link the areas of the reserve suitable for wheelchairs, prams, small scooters and kids on bikes to move through the reserve.

The existing parking area on Volante Street will be formalised and the internal parking area and access track willbe resurfaced. The Oleander scrubs and Aleppo Pines will be removed to protect the native vegetation and replaced with Australian natives throughout. Additional new plantings, irrigated turf area and revegetation of some areas will be undertaken.

These upgrades to Nelson Square are part of Council’s commitment in the Open Space Strategy 2021-2026 to deliver new and upgraded open spaces over the next four years. These enhancements to Nelson Square are planned to be completed by 30 June 2023.

Refer to the draft Nelson Square Concept Plan in the Key Documents section on the right of screen.

Hard copies of the Draft Nelson Square Concept Plan were made available at the Council Administration Office and Port Lincoln Library during the consultation period.