John Mactivation Project

Consultation has concluded

The Town of Victoria Park is upgrading a section of John Macmillan Park, outside of the library along Sussex St, with an aim to make the park friendlier, more interesting and safer for the community.

The Town undertook a community engagement process, including three pop up sessions attended by 110 people, an online and hardcopy survey completed by 145 people, and 85 shared ideas, to understand what the community wanted to see in the upgrade of John Macmillan Park. The results of the engagement formed part of the concept design.

The concept design was finalised and a contract to deliver the upgrades works was awarded via public tender by Council at the December Ordinary Council Meeting.

What is happening now?

Construction works will commence in Mid-April 2019 and be completed by 30 June 2019.

How can i find out more information?

  • Check the News Feed for page updates
  • Read the project FAQs and the uploaded documents
  • Contact Jack Bidwell or Hayley Boyd on 08 9311 8111

The Town of Victoria Park is upgrading a section of John Macmillan Park, outside of the library along Sussex St, with an aim to make the park friendlier, more interesting and safer for the community.

The Town undertook a community engagement process, including three pop up sessions attended by 110 people, an online and hardcopy survey completed by 145 people, and 85 shared ideas, to understand what the community wanted to see in the upgrade of John Macmillan Park. The results of the engagement formed part of the concept design.

The concept design was finalised and a contract to deliver the upgrades works was awarded via public tender by Council at the December Ordinary Council Meeting.

What is happening now?

Construction works will commence in Mid-April 2019 and be completed by 30 June 2019.

How can i find out more information?

  • Check the News Feed for page updates
  • Read the project FAQs and the uploaded documents
  • Contact Jack Bidwell or Hayley Boyd on 08 9311 8111
Consultation has concluded

Want more information? Ask a question.

  • Would there be any chance that we could get more basketball courts for children to play on?? This would be a ideal situation to build and extend for 4 more courts for the area. There is so many children that are not able to play in this district because there is a real problem of not enough basketball courts and how easy would it be to build 4 more courts? thank you

    chistina harding asked over 6 years ago

    Thanks for your question.

    Community feedback was strongly against removing any further green space from the park and therefore we have not proposed to include more than 1 basketball court.

    We do have more basketball courts down at McCallum Park that are well utilised and there is also the option to hire courts in LeisureLife.


  • Wondering why you're not sharing the specific reasons why you're planning this redevelopment (ie that The Park Centre are proposing to extend their building to (or very near) the boundary of their property (ie the edge of the park))? IMO this information would cast the survey in a whole new light and would allow people to make a more informed decision. As I recall it was this 'secret squirrel' planning that got the Town into so much trouble with its Town Centre proposal. I hope you'll reconsider your reasons for not sharing this information and realise that honesty is the best policy. Thanks.

    pommiecruiser asked over 6 years ago

    Hi Pommitecruiser,

    Thanks for your statement. We agree, honesty is the best policy :)

    Hawaiian has advised the Town that they will be intending to undertake an upgrade of the Park Centre. Like all development applications, the land owner will be required to submit a development application. When this is received, we will certainly be seeking public comment on the application. 

    The Town does work in collaboration with a number of key stakeholders (including the community), however Hawaiian's intentions to upgrade is independent of the John Macmillan park upgrade.  


  • Where is the funding for this proposed project coming from?

    owneroperator asked over 6 years ago

    Stage 1 of the project will be funded through the Town's existing capital works budget. Additional funding is being sought for Stages 2-5 through internal and external sources (such as grants).

  • Before undertaking stages 2 through 5, will you engage with the rate payers as to their preferred method of funding and if no resolution is arrived at place the future works on hold?

    owneroperator asked over 6 years ago

    We are exploring multiple funding options with council, with our preferred option to delivery the concept all at once. If this can not  be accommodated revised options will be presented to council.

    Community consultation will not take place on individual funding.

  • Has any consideration been made to an enclosed dog play area?

    owneroperator asked over 6 years ago

    Thank you for your question. It was considered, however due to community priorties and funding this specific park will not be enclosed. 

    If you are looking for an enclosed dog area, have you checked out Tom Wright reserve in Carlisle?

  • Would the town be open to a 5-a-side football (soccer) field being marked and located in the area? This would compliment the basketball hoop and play ground.

    owneroperator asked over 6 years ago

    Community feedback was strongly against removing any further green space from the park.

    The adjacent neighbour Carlisle/Victoria Park Bowling Club faciltates Area 5 soccer.


  • Has the town considered the inclusion of a skate park/skate bowl in the area? Even a simple pump track would be great.

    owneroperator asked over 6 years ago

    Community feedback was strongly against removing any further green space from the park and therefore we have not explored skate facilities. 

    We do have a skate park/bowl down at McCallum Park that is well utilised and will be upgraded during the McCallum Park/Taylor Reserve project.

  • Has a wifi hot spot been included in the design? making the area super tech friendly would be great!

    owneroperator asked over 6 years ago

    The intention is to extend the public wifi to the park.

  • Has the town considered including an electric BBQ or similar (maybe one at each end of the park?)

    owneroperator asked over 6 years ago

    Yes this was a consideration, however due to the close proximity to food outlets it was believed it would be under utilised and not the best use of funds. 

    BBQ facilities were raised during the public consultation period, but was not listed as a community priority.

  • We are currently overseas until mid August so unable to call. Is it possible to view the plans on line?

    47 etwell asked over 6 years ago

    Good morning,

    Yes the plans are available on the landing page for John Mactivation in the document library. Please let us know if you experience any difficulties opening the plans.