We have many fantastic playgrounds across our LGA. These playgrounds may hold nostalgic memories for some, however, there are a number that are either outdated, unsafe or unusable.
To respond to this need, Lithgow Council has commenced a program to replace and maintain the playgrounds, ensuring they are enjoyable, safe to use and compliant to today’s standards. This program is informed by a playground safety compliance audit undertaken last year. Following the audit, the Council upgraded the highest priority playgrounds across the LGA to achieve safety compliance.
The next stage of the program will see playground equipment replacements undertaken at Elizabeth and Henrietta Street, Wallerawang, within the next month. Then the playgrounds at Zig Zag Oval in Oakey Park, and Stewart Street in Bowenfels, will be upgraded with new play equipment.
Due to their condition and their proximity to modern, compliant park facilities, the old play equipment in Paine Street, Portland and Oxley Street, Wallerawang will be removed, and these spaces will be maintained as open recreation areas. These equipment removals are occurring as part of the Council’s commitment to improving the standard of its community assets.
Mayor of Lithgow City Council Maree Statham voiced her support for the program, saying “Council is committed to working with the community to ensure that the park facilities in our city are modern, safe, and most importantly, fun”.
These major playground upgrades and improvements have been able to be undertaken following the allocation of funds from the Special Rate Variation.
Over the coming months the Council will working with the community to finalise a longer-term strategy to deliver safe, fun and modern playgrounds and open spaces that make our towns and villages a great place to live and work in.