Marriott Park Upgrades - Nowra CBD

The concept designs have been approved for the Marriot Park Master Plan which includes the Variety Livvi's Place Inclusive Playspace. The next step is to proceed to detailed design and delivery.

The future upgrades to Marriott Park will improve the connectivity of the space to the centre of Nowra whilst establishing attractive and useable facilities for a variety of local users as well as visitors.

Council has received $300K funding from the NSW Government “Everyone Can Play” grant to contribute towards the delivery of the Playspace. Additional funding is currently being sought for the remainder of Stage 1 of the Master Plan, which will then progress to detailed design and construction.

The park upgrades will be delivered in the following stages:

• Stage 1 – Accessible playspace (a new and significantly larger playground), amenities, car parking, connecting pathways and supporting infrastructure.

• Stage 2 – Improvements to the pond, viewing platforms, picnic areas, and landscaping treatments.
• Stage 3 – Improvements to internal community building, memorial gardens, and additional landscaping.
• Stage 4 – Landscape treatments in response to future widening of the Princes Highway.

In November 2020, a Notice of Motion was reported to Council raising concerns with the parking arrangements in the Marriott Park Master Plan. As a result, further investigations and consultation was completed by Council. The results were reported to the Strategy and Assets Committee on 09 February 2021, where it was resolved that Council (MIN21.71):

Accept the investigations and consultation in relation to the Proposed Amendment – Marriott Park Master Plan.

1. Retain the car park as per the adopted Marriott Park Master Plan, however, provide measures to minimise the impact on the Parkhaven Motel and their guests, including:
   1. Delete at least 7 spaces from the southern end of the car park to reduce the number of car parking spaces immediately adjacent to the eastern boundary of the Parkhaven Motel.
   2. Investigate the potential to increase parking spaces on Douglas Street.
   3. Lighting to be mounted on bollards.
   4. Include further plantings along the Parkhaven Motel boundary to screen the rooms facing the park.
2. Update the Marriott Park Master Plan to include the proposed amendments noted in Part (2) and adopt the revised Plan.
3. Write to the key stakeholders to advise them of this resolution.

The Master Plan has now been updated to reflect the new parking arrangements.

Shoalhaven Mayor Amanda Findley, and Member for South Coast Shelley Hancock, officially opened the new outdoor exercise station in Marriott Park, Nowra.

The completed project cost of $76,500 was fully funded by the NSW State Government, with the $139,750 grant also funding the installation of the outdoor gym at Callala Beach in 2019.

The exercise station is the first of a number of planned improvements outlined in the Marriott Park Master Plan to make the park a more attractive space to visit,

The creation of the Variety Livvi's Place inclusive playspace is another planned improvement for Marriott Park. Council has received funding through Variety - the Children's Charity to design and build a new playground and invited community feedback on the Draft Concept took place in September.

Council is also applying for funding to deliver other improvements outlined in the Master Plan, including parking improvements, pathways, picnic facilities and amenities.

The Master Plan is published in the Document Library on this Get Involved page.

Consultation on the Draft Concept of the Marriott Park Inclusive Playspace ran from 4 - 25 September 2020. During this time, 40 responses were received which demonstrated overwhelming support for the project.

Some concerns / issues were raised during the consultation period in relation to the design of the car park, tree removal which would be required as part of the Princes Highway widening, fencing of the pond and the location of the amenities building. These issues fall outside of the concept plan for Inclusive Playspace, however it is noted that they will be resolved by the improvements identified in the adopted Marriott Park Master Plan.

Other minor issues raised included ensuring there was ample shade and seating throughout the Playspace. These items are not depicted in detail in the concept plans, however will be included and addressed during detailed design.

In line with Council’s resolution from July 2020, given that there were no significant or adverse issues raised during the consultation period, the draft Concept Plan is now deemed adopted.

Council staff will now be preparing grant applications to progress this significant project to the next stage.

Works have commenced on a new outdoor exercise station in Marriott Park. The new facility will allow park users to participate in strength and cardiovascular training whilst visiting the park.

The new facility is the first enhancement, under the recently adopted Marriott Park Master Plan, which aims to upgrade the layout of Marriott park to meet the needs of the community and create an attractive space to visit. The outdoor exercise equipment is expected to be completed by early October 2020.

Community consultation on the Draft Concept Plan – Variety Livvi’s Place Inclusive Playspace – Marriott Park is now open for feedback.

Have your say by completing the online survey below before 5 pm Friday 25 September 2020.

View the Draft Concept Plan - Variety Livvi's Place Inclusive Playspace attached to the online survey or in the 'Document Library' on this page

On Tuesday 21 July 2020 at Council’s Strategy and Assets Committee meeting, Council resolved the following:

RESOLVED (Clr Findley / Clr White) - MIN20.489

That Council:

1. Note the adoption of the Marriott Park Master Plan following the Public Exhibition period in accordance with MIN20.31

2. Undertake community consultation on the Draft Concept Plan – Livvi’s Place Inclusive Playspace – Marriott Park; and

a. If no significant feedback is received as part of the community consultation, the Draft Concept Plan – Variety Livvi’s Place Playground – Marriott Park be finalised and deemed adopted; or

b. If significant adverse feedback is received, update the Draft Concept Plan – Variety Livvi’s Place Playground – Marriott Park and report the outcomes of the public exhibition period to Council prior to adoption.

3. Advocate for funding to deliver Marriott Park improvements as per the adopted Marriott Park Master Plan.

Adoption of the Marriott Park Master Plan & Draft Concept Design of Livvi's Place Inclusive Playground

Please be advised that a report on the above matter is expected to be considered at Council’s Strategy and Assets Committee on 21 July 2020.

The purpose of the report is to inform Council on the adoption of the Marriott Park Master Plan and to seek Council’s endorsement to proceed with the consultation of the draft concept of the Livvi’s Place Inclusive Playspace.

A copy of the report will be available on Council’s website prior to the meeting at https://shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au/My-Council/Council-meetings/Agendas-and-minutes.

The meeting will be live streamed online, commencing at 5pm. Information about accessing the live stream can be found on the Council Meetings webpage at webcast.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au.

Any enquiries on making deputations to the Meeting should be directed to Council’s Governance Section on (02) 4429 3361.

The Marriott Park Master Plan is on public exhibition until 5pm, Friday 12 June. The community are invited to participate in the quick poll or provide a written submission via our email: council@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au or by mail to PO Box 42, Nowra NSW 2541.

23 April 2020

Shoalhaven City Council has created a draft Master Plan for Marriott Park in the Nowra CBD.

To view the Master Plan click here

To participate in our Quick Poll use this link

Please provide your comments on the Master Plan before 5pm, Monday 1 June 2020.