Background
The Hume Open Space Strategy identifies John Coutts Reserve as a priority site for upgrade.
This is a long awaited upgrade, as initial planning, including community engagements began in 2007, but was delayed by the widening of the M80 Ring Road.
The last community engagement took place in 2022, where the proposal for residential housing on a portion of the site was tested with the community. This housing was not supported and is not proposed as part of this project.
We have developed a concept plan based on technical assessments of the site and previous community consultation. The draft concept plan proposes:
- new play spaces for a range of activities and abilities
- a scooter/bike/skate circuit
- new recreational spaces for social gathering and planned events
- picnic facilities including: shelters, drinking fountains, shaded lawn areas and public toilets
- multi-purpose sports courts and kick-about areas
- park seating
- garden beds and tree planting
- wayfinding signage
- a bicycle repair station
- path connections, including walking loops.
The upgrade will allow spaces for social recreation as well as social and organised events.
The final scope of works will be dependent on the final budget, to be determined upon completion of community engagement.
Previous community feedback
Thank you to everyone who provided feedback in 2022 on what you like to do, and what you’d like to see at John Coutts Reserve. Read the full summary report here.
The main things people said they'd like to see in John Coutts Reserve were:
The draft concept plan
The draft concept plan is shown below. Click on the pink flashing circles to understand more of the design. You can expand the image by clicking on the arrows icon at the top right hand side.
For a more detailed plan, see the draft concept plan here.
How to participate
This consultation is now closed.
Thank you to everyone who told us what they like and what they'd change about the draft concept plan. Check out the responses in the tabs below.
What I like
What I like
What do you like about the draft concept plan?
21 August, 2025
matt says:
skatepark please
21 August, 2025
Natalie Stanley says:
Dog area to be enclosed.
Football goals instead of soccer goals. There are already soccer goals at elmhurst and meadow park soccer club.
20 August, 2025
BR says:
Toilets, bbq, nature, play spaces.
Xylophone, zip wire, trampolines, tunnel, multiple swings - will be amazing for all ages. Bmx track
20 August, 2025
Hanna says:
Looks good, thank you
19 August, 2025
Fred Loiser says:
It looks great, Go for it. BBQ, dog space, playground. YES YES YES
19 August, 2025
Melissa says:
Love the inclusion of a basketball court, kids play equipment- especially for older kids, bike track and bbq areas. Exciting! Can't wait
19 August, 2025
CS says:
Everything. Pump track, edible gardens, nature play, awesomely huge slide.
19 August, 2025
VindikiPoopLover says:
Breeding area
19 August, 2025
Meagan says:
It looks great however please be mindful of the plants used, seabrook reserve is swarming with bees, great park but I can't go too many bees
19 August, 2025
Kim C says:
It all sounds fantastic !! Thank you for giving us a local playground
19 August, 2025
TG says:
Bike track. Please add little ramps, pedestrian x-ings, signs etc for children to learn to bike ride. See Craigieburn bike park for ideas
19 August, 2025
Ren says:
Plenty of courts needed for kids to run around and play sport . Basketball/ netball/ tennis! Thank you
What I'd change
What I'd change
What changes would you make to the draft concept plan?
23 August, 2025
Catherine says:
1) gates were removed from the 'shared car park' so kids are off the rd
2) crossing installed across carrick drive so kids can walk safely
21 August, 2025
Concerned citizen says:
Firstly the parking. It’s already busy on street parking and local residents will be the ones who have to suffer for it.
20 August, 2025
Br says:
Make sure it’s toddler friendly also - tunnels, trampolines, xylophones, sandpit, maybe even water play?
2 bbqs minimum
Baby change table
19 August, 2025
Tiari says:
An appropriate sized car park should be considered to accomodate the existing carpark & reduce overflow onto Katrina Dve and Gabrielle Cres
19 August, 2025
Tahleah says:
The dog off leash area. Jack Ginnifer is a massive off leash dog area 400m from John Coutts = wasted space. Should be used 4 something else
19 August, 2025
Marco says:
With this off leash dog park, does this mean Jack Ginifer can change. Nothing worse than playing cricket with dog poo littering the field
19 August, 2025
Dan says:
I wouldn't add the dog off leash considering Jack Ginnifer is around the corner and is used as a dog park. Utilise the space for water play
18 August, 2025
Re says:
Can there be a native food garden or a community farm/garden included in this space? seems like the perfect location for something like this
13 August, 2025
Alex Williams says:
Create an aviation adventure theme playspace with plane climbing frames, control tower lookout, runway balance beams & flight control panel
4 August, 2025
Artin says:
The grass on the soccer pitch so that it is more suitable for soccer.
2 August, 2025
Close Neighbour says:
I can see the skate/bike & seating areas being a hangout at night causing issues. I request locating them near the freeway or removing them.
1 August, 2025
BTM says:
I would not include the scooter/bike/skate circuit
