Goodwin Downer Retirement Living

End Client Moyne Shire Council
Contractor CONVIC
Sectors
- Public Domain & Community
Services
- Acoustics
- Integrated Buildings
Year 2026
Location Port Fairy, VIC

Last Project
Next Project

The Port Fairy Skate Park and Play Space has transformed Russell Clark Reserve into a recreation destination for the local community, bringing together skating, play, sport and social spaces for all ages and abilities. Northrop provided acoustic engineering services, combining noise modelling, design recommendations and community consultation to address potential noise impacts and support a welcoming space for the community.

Project

The Port Fairy Skate Park and Play Space has transformed Russell Clark Reserve into a new recreation destination for the local community, bringing together skating, play, sport and social spaces in one precinct.

At the heart of the project is a new skatepark with street features and a beginner-to-intermediate bowl, complemented by a nature-based playground, outdoor fitness area, inclusive flying fox, half basketball and soccer court, open lawn and spaces for families to gather.

The precinct also includes new amenities, covered barbecue and seating areas and a new car park, creating a more accessible and welcoming space for people of different ages and abilities to play, exercise and spend time together.

Partnership

Our relationship with CONVIC has grown through a series of skate and recreation projects, with our teams working together across different project delivery models.

For Port Fairy, CONVIC was the lead consultant and engaged Northrop directly to provide acoustic engineering services. This has helped us build a strong understanding of CONVIC’S approach to skatepark design and the acoustic considerations that come with it. CONVIC values our holistic approach, which considers the skatepark within its broader environment and the factors that influence how noise is experienced by the surrounding community.

Delivery

The project required careful consideration of potential noise impacts, with some nearby residents initially concerned about the proposed skatepark.

Council engaged our team to provide an independent acoustic assessment and speak directly with the community. We travelled to Port Fairy to meet with residents, listen to their concerns and explain how potential noise impacts had been considered in the design.

We modelled the predicted noise from the skatepark and provided recommendations to minimise potential impacts. We also considered the predicted noise in the context of the existing acoustic environment, helping residents understand how the new facility would sit within their current surroundings.

The consultation gave residents an opportunity to ask questions, understand the assessment and have their concerns heard as part of the design process.

Impact

The completed precinct is now providing a new space for Port Fairy’s young people and families to play, skate, exercise and spend time together.

The community was closely involved throughout the project, helping shape the location and design of the precinct. Since opening the facility has attracted strong interest from local families, with the new skatepark, playground, fitness areas and shared spaces creating a destination for a broad range of ages and abilities.

Images courtesy of CONVIC and Rodney Harris Photography