Page 21 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 8 February 2022
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The ACT Government is committed to providing the ACT community with a safe and fun playground network. We currently manage over 500 public playgrounds located across the ACT.
Each playground provides unique opportunities for play with attractions and equipment varying in age and condition. Audits against Australian Standards for safety are a high priority and are conducted regularly conducted. For example, City Services teams conducted more than 26,000 safety inspections at Canberra’s playgrounds last year. General maintenance and repairs are actioned during these visits and any major work is programmed to be undertaken as quickly as possible.
The ACT Government continues to invest in new and upgraded playground facilities. Play spaces are prioritised for upgrade using recommendations from annual audits along with current demographic, spatial and social information, along with community input. This process ensures that safety standards are maintained, and public investments are suitably targeted. The ACT Government released the Play Space Strategy for public consultation on 2 November 2021, with this being open for public consultation for six weeks. When finalised in the coming months, the ACT Play Space Strategy will set the direction for the future development and delivery of play spaces within the ACT.
The ACT Government has committed to deliver significant upgrades at six play spaces over the next four years, including in Aranda, Kaleen, Ngunnawal, Lyons, Chisholm and Gordon. In addition, the Government has committed to undertake further comprehensive playground audits against Australian Standards and audits of skateparks throughout Canberra.
Replacement of the tower at Fadden Pond Playground with another piece of equipment is not currently prioritised within the funded upgrades program. In response to the community’s feedback, it will now be placed on a works program to be progressed as future budget and priorities allow. Consultation will be undertaken to ensure community needs and preferences are identified and incorporated into any future upgrades.
In the interim, the tower will continue to receive regular safety inspections as part of our standing program to ensure the safety of playground users. The most recent audits indicate that the tower structure remains safe.
I trust this information is of assistance.
Melba—recreation area—petition 15-21
By Mr Steel, Minister for Transport and City Services, dated 3 February 2022, in response to a petition lodged by Ms Clay on 9 November 2021 concerning recreational space next to Melba Copland Secondary School.
The response read as follows:
Dear Mr Duncan
Thank you for your letter of 9 November 2021 regarding petition 15-21, lodged by Ms Jo Clay MLA. The petition seeks upgrades to the recreational space next to Melba Copland Secondary School on Conley Drive, Melba.
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