Goulburn Mulwaree Council is starting work on a new inclusive playground for people of all ages. Photo: James Coleman.
A Southern Tablelands council has signalled its support for a new inclusive playground, but raised the project’s timeline and cost as potential problems.
During a recent meeting, Goulburn Mulwaree Council unanimously voted to support a motion put forward by Councillor Jason Shepherd.
He said the motion called on the council to prioritise the project.
“This responds to years of advocacy from families, carers and aged care providers, seeking a safe, welcoming place for people of all abilities … While we have many playgrounds across the region, none are truly inclusive.
“This isn’t about adding another playground. It’s about creating one, or better yet, reshaping one that everyone can use.”
He also said that while there were “valid” concerns about how the council would fund the project, grant funding and design choices would limit its cost.
“This isn’t a high-risk facility, it’s a high-impact one … It’s also the right thing to do.”
The playground is also being envisaged as having elements to support neurodivergent people and residents living with dementia, such as specialised play equipment and fencing around it.
According to the motion, the playground is to be built at Victoria Park or another suitable location in the area.
Cr Shepherd also called for the project to feature consultation with disability and other support services in its development.
Luke’s Place, a playground in the Illawarra, was raised during the meeting as an example of an inclusive playground. Photo: City of Wollongong Facebook.
The meeting also heard concerns about the motion’s initial reference to how council should “prioritise” the project.
Cr Bob Kirk said that while a proposed inclusive playground was raised in the past, there was limited progress on the idea, and the council needed to balance various projects.
He suggested changing the motion’s wording so the council would “investigate and seek funding opportunities” without a set timeline.
Cr Shepherd agreed, saying his motion was intended to trigger the council to progress the project.
Cr Caitlin Flint said that while she supported the idea, other playgrounds in the Goulburn Mulwaree area needed to be considered.
“We’ve got seven playgrounds that are end of life or near end of life … [We] need to be very realistic that this is not going to be as a result of savings in our general fund or general fund allocation.
“We’re going to be very much reliant on grant opportunities [to cover the project’s] cost.”
The meeting also heard that a Liberty Swing (a specially designed swing for people using wheelchairs) would be accessed with a key, while other infrastructure and play equipment in the playground would be open.
She said there were issues with a park on Elizabeth Street, and also pointed to other playgrounds that had accessible elements.
A council staff member told councillors that there were specific elements that made a playground inclusive, such as fencing and specific infrastructure.
“[In] our plans, we do incorporate elements of inclusivity … We’re probably more in the accessibility space than the inclusivity space, to be honest.
“[Accessibility is how we] make sure people with mobility issues can get up there, those sort of issues. There’s a big difference between accessibility and inclusivity.”
