City of Launceston Council’s newly redeveloped Road Safety Centre has been honoured with the 2025 Parks & Leisure Australia (Victorian and Tasmanian) Award of Excellence in the Playspace (>$500K) category.
The award was presented at a gala dinner in Victoria this week, recognising the facility as an outstanding example of innovative design and community impact.
Mayor, Matthew Garwood said the award was a testament to the Council’s commitment to delivering world-class recreational spaces that enriched the lives of residents and visitors.
“We are incredibly proud to receive this prestigious award from Parks & Leisure Australia, which celebrates the Road Safety Centre as a vibrant, inclusive, and educational space that reflects Launceston’s values,” Mayor Garwood said.
“This recognition highlights the hard work of our team, the support of our community, and the collaboration with the Australian Government, whose $1 million contribution through the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program was vital to this $3.8 million transformation.”
The Road Safety Centre – known locally as ‘the Bike Centre’ – reopened in April after a multi-year redevelopment to address significant structural issues.
The revitalised facility, located in a historic water reservoir, now features a mini road network with Launceston street names, traffic lights, accessible amenities, a site-wide mural by local artist Mel McVee, and modern features like weatherproof shelters, a bike repair station, and a keyless online booking system.
The Parks & Leisure Australia Award acknowledged the centre’s innovative design, which creates a sense of place for the community while promoting road safety education and childhood development. Competing against notable projects like Orbost’s Forest Park Revitalisation in East Gippsland and Hays Paddock Playspace in Boroondara, Launceston’s Road Safety Centre stood out for its ability to blend heritage charm with cutting-edge functionality.
“This project has been really exciting for the Launceston community, and it’s awesome to see the redevelopment being recognised in this way,” Mayor Garwood said.
“We’ve preserved the spirit of this beloved institution while delivering a modern, inclusive space that will inspire and educate generations to come.”
The Road Safety Centre’s win positions it as a finalist for the Parks & Leisure Australia National Awards of Excellence, to be held in Hobart in November.
