The guidance in Designing Streets for Kids captures international best practices, strategies, programs, and policies that cities around the world have used to design spaces that enable children of all ages and abilities to utilize cities’ most abundant asset – streets.

"For too long, cities have ignored children’s needs and wishes and allowed the car to reign supreme. The climate crisis, an epidemic of inactivity, and environmental degradation all add to the case for change. Designing Streets for Kids is a timely, comprehensive guide to creating safe, sociable streets and neighborhoods, making cities more sustainable and livable for everyone."  Tim Gill,

‘Best Playspace award under $0.5million’ in the Parks & Leisure Vic/Tas regional awards went to Ochre Landscape (Play Australia Member) and Brand Architects. 

Opened to the Highton Community in 2019, Highton Child and Family Centre offers and encourages inclusive and naturalistic play and physical activity through creative and thoughtful design.  The Centre has also earned a 5 Star Green-star rating.

"Our thanks go to Brand Architects, who always design holistically and recognise the value gained from a high-quality landscape, and to the City of Greater Geelong- it was a pleasure working with both."  Evan Gaulke, Ochre Landscape Director

The 2020 Kidsafe National Playspace Design Awards recognise excellence and innovation in the provision of safe, creative playspaces.

Entries are open to playground owners and design professionals across Australia. Submission date extended – Entries must be received by 5pm AEST, Monday 31 August 2020.

The Awards aim to promote inspirational, innovative, best practice play facilities that encourage healthy participation in recreational activities for all users.

This is a great opportunity to showcase playspace design in action!

If you are in Victoria, this message remains simple – it has never been more important to stay active to help keep your mental health in check. 

When you talk to Kait Cummins, an Occupational Therapist, you come away instilled with confidence that with a few very simple strategies, we can support our own mental health and the mental wellbeing of our kids.

In Melbourne and surrounds, with the limit of one hour for exercise outside, Kait suggests doing it early, just after breakfast and setting both adults and children up for the day. Getting into a new routine is so important.

Gavin has been engaged by Play Australia as a Project Management Consultant to support the 1000 Play Streets campaign in South Australia.

His broad interest is public health which has been applied to a variety of policy, advisory, advocacy, community development and project management roles. A common theme in all his work is a commitment to changing environments to make healthy choices easy. His subject matter expertise is physical activity with a particular interest in enabling communities to enjoy the benefits of unstructured play, walking and cycling.

"Play for me means fun, freedom, connection with friends & family, exploring and risk-taking. As an adult, letting kids catch me in a game of rough & tumble chasey is a play favourite." Gavin