Central Coast Council has beaten out a strong field of entries to take home the 2025 Local Government Professionals Tasmania Community Service Delivery Award for its Tobruk Park Sensory Garden project in Ulverstone.
The $500,000 in-house project transformed a hazardous, derelict pond into Tasmania’s first purpose-built therapeutic public garden. The result is a vibrant, inclusive environment that supports mental health, accessibility and community connection.
Mayor Cheryl Fuller said the award was a proud moment for Council and the local groups who helped shape the garden’s design.
“This award celebrates what can be achieved when a community comes together with care and creativity,” Mayor Fuller said. “Tobruk Park has become a safe, welcoming environment for people of all ages and abilities, and a model for how thoughtful design can improve lives.”
The garden was developed in collaboration with the Ulverstone Dementia Café and Council’s Access and Inclusion Group. Their input informed the pathways, plantings and sensory features that make the garden easy to navigate and calming to experience.
Members of the Central Coast Council project team behind the Tobruk Park Sensory Garden.
The project was delivered entirely in-house through collaboration across multiple Council teams, combining expertise in design, construction, engineering and horticulture. Recycled materials and sustainable landscaping techniques were used throughout to achieve a balance between affordability and environmental care.
Director Infrastructure Services Nick Browne said the recognition reflected the innovation and teamwork behind the project.
“This was a true whole-of-Council effort,” Mr Browne said. “Our teams worked together to transform a neglected site into an environment that’s both environmentally responsible and designed to support community wellbeing. We’re proud to see the result resonate so strongly with our community.”
Since opening, the Tobruk Park Sensory Garden has become a popular destination for carers, families and individuals seeking connection and calm. It has also attracted strong online interest, with posts about the garden receiving more than 80,000 views and over 1,000 interactions.
The Tobruk Park Sensory Garden is located within Tobruk Park, off Hobbs Parade, Ulverstone, and is open to the public year-round.