Playford Council reveals reason for lengthy playground closure at Andrews Farm after arson

Locals are demanding their council act to fix a playground in Adelaide’s north after it was shut six months ago over an arson attack – but is it really council’s fault?

A playground in Adelaide’s northern suburbs has been closed for six months after an arson attack because of insurance negotiations, Playford Council says.

But the closure has sparked debate among locals, with some blaming the council – and others defending it, after a photo of the playground went viral on local Facebook groups.

The Stebonheath Park playground at Davoren Rd, Andrews Farm, was closed to the public in December after it sustained significant fire damage and became unsafe.

A Playford Council spokeswoman said the incident was reported to police.

Mayor Glenn Docherty said he shared “the community’s disappointment” the playground closed because of “deliberate vandalism”.

Playford Council has been shamed over the long closure of Stebonheath Park at Munno Para – but is it to blame? Picture: Supplied

The playground at Stebonheath Park in Munno Para. Picture: Supplied

“It is a shame that someone would choose to deliberately damage a playground,” Mr Docherty told The Advertiser.

“Because of their actions, we now have to wait for the insurance process to be completed before we can repair the equipment for families to enjoy again.”

The council said its insurance claim is currently under review, but the process for public infrastructure can take longer than private claims, because of several factors including complexity of damage assessments, equipment age, and safety compliance.

An estimated reopening date has not yet been determined.

A photo of a handwritten sign at the playground demand council action was posted to a community Facebook group on Sunday, sparking debate about who was to blame.

“Shame on Playford Council. This playground has been like this since last December before school holidays,” the laminated sign read.

“Playford council don’t give a fork about its residents,” one person wrote.

Another comment read: “Fixing playgrounds doesn’t make them money like developing every last bit of land does.”

One said council was “too busy with roadworks” and another said it was “lazy”.

But many others defended Playford Council, blaming whoever burnt the playground.

“These playgrounds are continually being trashed and vandalised, at a huge cost to taxpayers. Many other public spaces and amenities are also targets of anti-social destructive behaviour. There needs to be tougher penalties,” one person wrote.

The playground at Stebonheath Park in Munno Para. Picture: Supplied

The playground at Stebonheath Park in Munno Para. Picture: Supplied

Another comment read: “Shame on the vandals for destroying public property.”

“Not the council’s fault that the absolute plebs set fire to the equipment they’d already provided” another wrote.

“Put yourself in their shoes, and see whether you’d put the money back into that or into something else for the community.”