Community Development Project for The Trough Reserve, Seaford Esplanade

We, the undersigned, petition the Onkaparinga Council to support this proposed community development project for the reserve to the north of the Trough Stairs, Seaford Esplanade, for a community space provided and funded by the community, under adherence to council’s standards, supervision and management (See artists impression below).

We propose this area to have:

1. Picnic tables with seating
2. Basic nature play space appropriate for all ages
3. The mobile vendor permit location relocated to adjacent the grassed area, away from the carpark to allow for greater safety and traffic flow for the community 
4. Appropriate shelter (roofing on the established gazebo or new build) and potentially an extra terrain shelter by the permit driveway

Community funding and project provision has been offered by the following:

• Natural Style Building Co. which specialises in nature play spaces, outdoor timber furniture, pergolas and construction, has kindly offered to donate their materials and services towards the project
• TG Landscaping and TG Carpentry, has kindly offered its sevices towards the project
• Midcoast Landscaping has kindly offered its services towards the project
• Kustom Environment has kindly offered its services toward the project
• Wood’N’Logs has kindly offered to donate sand and gravel for the mobile vendor driveway
• Bunnings Seaford have kindly offered to donate some materials toward the project (to be specified)
• Cardijn College Principal, Mr Steve Byrne, has expressed possible sponsorship of the project, and any resources and assistance that the qualifed staff of Marcellin Technical College can provide towards the construction of picnic tables (as seen at their Galilee Campus) and pergola 
• Brian Jonas Roofing has offered his services towards the project

There is significant demand and support from our local community and groups (such as The Next Step Australia Men's Mental Health group) for a safe space to facilitate gathering, right here at the Trough (as demonstrated by the previous petition which was tabled at 921 signatures). With the growing population and need for community in these difficult times, the desire for spontaneous community gathering is evident, and would be far greater facilitated in a reserve than a carpark, where people currently gather around the food vendor.

We support Onkaparinga Council’s Community Plan 2030, and believe this proposal will further support and enhance these goals, specifically “strong, vibrant communities”, and “supporting our communities to connect with the spaces and places they enjoy”.

We kindly request council be willing to work with its community and to have community interest at heart, that all involved may have a sense of pride and ownership in the project as a whole. we believe this will further strengthen our local support networks and provide some much needed extra facilities for our growing region.

In good faith,

We, the undersigned. 

Christine Greaves    Contact the author of the petition