Lake Jualbup junior playground renewal

The new Lake Jualbup junior playspace was officially opened by the City of Subiaco Mayor on Sunday 17 December at the Sunset at Subi concert.

We hope the playground brings many hours of joy! Thank you to those for taking part to have your say.

Thank you to those who took part in the preferred playground consultation for the Lake Juabup junior playground that took place in August 2023.

We are excited to announce that Nature Based Play (option 7) is the chosen design for the space. This option includes a classic swing (with one infant seat and one strap seat), a slide, sensory posts, balance logs, mini monkey bars, carved bowls and timber artwork for explorative play.

As you can understand it’s a challenge to satisfy everyone’s wishes, but overall this option was the most preferred.

The City recently met with our nominated Whadjuk knowledge holders who gave their in principle support for replacement of the junior playground in the existing location. As Lake Jualbup is a known area of cultural significance, extending the large playground area is not their preferred option.

We are now formalising the approval process with Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage and hope to soon advertise the Request for Quotation (RFQ) to design, supply and install the new playground.

The RFQ will include your feedback from the first round of community consultation with playground designers encouraged to design something different. The playground designs will then be considered by the City, our Whadjuk knowledge holders and the community to select the most appropriate option before the contract is awarded.

Overall the City of Subiaco received 108 survey responses for this stage of community consultation, which is a fantastic result.

Result summary

• 30.8% of respondents use the playground once a week.
• Most playground users are aged between 3 and 5 for both playgrounds at Lake Jualbup; followed by those aged 2 or below for the junior playground, and those aged 6 to 8 for the larger playground.
• 98.1% of respondents also use the larger playground when they visit the junior playground.
• The preferred playground style was Nature play with a focus on natural elements and textures.
• The options of “increasing the footprint of the larger playground and adding in extra equipment for younger children” and “leaving the junior playground in its existing location and replacing it with new equipment” scored just 0.12 points differently.

Specific community comments

• Feedback suggests the current junior playground is not actually 'junior' friendly and residents would like to see something more junior accessible.
• The current playgrounds are not very accessible and the city has no facilities for people with disabilities.
• Overall concerns with access to sufficient shade.
• The big playground gets very busy and having a separate space for little ones to play safely is important.
• Toilet facilities are an issue.

Next steps

• As Lake Jualbup is a site of Aboriginal importance, before any works are undertaken this project requires a Section 18 permit from the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage.
• Once the Section 18 permit has been approved, the City will advertise the Request for Quote (RFQ) and encourage designers to suggest innovative solutions to support the community feedback.
• Once the RFQ closes, the City will commence round two of community engagement to share the designs proposed.
• We will follow up the toilet facilities issue with the correct Department and advocate for more suitable facilities.
• The larger playground is not due for an upgrade 2027/2028.

If you would like further information, please contact the City's Operations and Environment Services branch on 9387 0942.