FAQs

Following a previous proposal to redevelop part of the oval at Lochiel Park for a fully-fenced Dog Park (receiving mixed feedback from the Community), at the 19 July 2022 Council meeting Council endorsed that “a Master Plan (incorporating a Dog Park) be developed for Lochiel Park in consultation with various stakeholders, including residents, to seek their feedback.” 

The aim of developing a bigger-picture master plan was to take a step back from any previous proposals or discussions for the site so as to not make any presumptions about what would or would not be included, in line with best practice open space planning, and reconsider the broader site and not the oval in isolation.

The recreation areas refer to the playground, half-court basketball court, grassed area (oval) with soccer goal, fitness equipment, picnic facilities with BBQ, the undeveloped (mulched) zones and vegetated areas adjacent to Lochend House and Community Hall, the public toilet located along the River Torrens Linear Park, and the pathways linking these features to the broader areas of Lochiel Park. Lochend House and Community Hall and the Ripples ArtShed are also located within this section, but these facilities themselves are not part of the Master Plan.

Council developed the Draft Master Plan in collaboration with specialist consultant Lesley Humphreys of LMH Consulting / Paws4Play. It has been developed in line with Council’s Vision for the Park: A natural green, biologically diverse and beautiful public open space in and around the Lochiel Park development.

Stage 1 Community consultation with key stakeholders and local residents was conducted in November 2023 to inform the development of the Draft. Stage 1 consultation revealed: (1) High importance placed on tree canopy, biodiversity, wildlife and connecting with nature; (2) Opposition to fencing any part of the oval. This was firmly expressed by both dog owners and non-dog owners via both the online/paper survey and at on-site consultation; (3) Only 20% of survey respondents supported a Fenced Dog Park at any other part of Lochiel Park (i.e. not on the oval), with another 20% being unsure.

Council endorsed the Draft for Stage 2 Community consultation in July 2024. This consultation runs from Monday 28 October until 4pm on Monday 18 November 2024 to consider further feedback on the Draft.

• Best practice open space and recreation planning
• Community feedback
• Active and passive recreation uses of the site
• Linking the environmental, recreational and other values of the wetlands, biodiversity areas and River Torrens to the site
• The industry-leading, sustainable focus of Lochiel Park
• Linking the historical and cultural value of Lochend House to the site
• Changing demographics of the suburb of Campbelltown and how this may influence recreational needs in the near future
• Existing tree canopy and Campbelltown City Council’s desire to retain and increase tree canopy wherever possible
• Access to and within the site
• Traffic and car parking concerns
• Dog control regulations and best practice dog exercise area planning including consideration of fencing, landscaping and spatial buffers, dog sight lines, size and shape of space, activation of underused areas, location to housing and rest of park and built facilities including toilet access.

As yet, no budget has been allocated for the implementation of the Master Plan which is estimated to cost $1.15 million. Should the Master Plan be endorsed by Council, funding options would be explored most likely through a combination of internal and external funding opportunities and there are opportunities to stage the works over multiple years.