Beaconsfield mum hits out as Andergrove playground to be decommissioned

A Beaconsfield mother has hit out at the consultation surrounding an Andergrove park that is set to be decommissioned, but the council has defended its position. Who do you agree with?

This week I learned that a children’s playground in Andergrove was being decommissioned, aka scrapped, to make way for more “open spaces” that “all ages can enjoy”.

The playground is (not for much longer) located in Inglewood Close.

The announcement to shut the park for the works was posted on Mackay Regional Council’s Facebook page, along with an explanation the council had sought feedback from residents living in Inglewood Close.

So, let me get this straight. The council chose to remove a playground from Andergrove, a neighbourhood with almost 2500 families, based on the opinions of one street, the very street that serves to benefit the most from any changes?

I was flabbergasted. But not for long, for I remembered that consultation regarding our region’s parks and playgrounds is either substandard or absent.

I call into evidence what happened at the Bluewater Lagoon when the children’s water slides were removed to make way for expensive sprinklers. The council told us, after it was too late to have a say, that the slides had reached their end of life and the replacement splash pad would cater for all abilities. But could we not have built an open area splash pad elsewhere in the Mackay region? How about Sarina? Those guys are crying out for better facilities.

And so, who is the council consulting with before making big-dollar decisions?

Speaking of which, why did the playground at Northview Gardens get yet another upgrade? It was already the best playground across the Mackay region before getting a fancy basketball court. It goes to show Glenella is the thoroughbred clydesdale horse while Andergrove is an old turned-out-to-pasture pony at best.

Need I mention the poor condition and maintenance of many other playgrounds in the region?

While our region is beautiful, when it comes to outdoor play equipment, we would do well to look at Rockhampton and Brisbane for inspiration. Both councils were unafraid to look outside the cookie-cutter template, and provide playgrounds for all ages.

Heidi Petith, Beaconsfield

Cartoonist Harry Bruce takes a look at the Mackay Regional Council's parks policy after a resident raised questions over public consultation. Picture: Harry Bruce

Council’s response

Development Services director Aletta Nugent said council was committed to providing active spaces for our community.

“There are more than 105 playgrounds in the Mackay region, with 10 in the Andergrove/Beaconsfield Area, and a district-level playground to be built in Woodlands District Park, located between Beaconsfield and Andergrove,’’ she said.

“Council made the announcement this week that a new all-abilities playground will be built at Woodlands District Park, and it will be similar in scale to the playgrounds at Queens Park and Northview Park.”

Ms Nugent said it cost council substantial funds each year to maintain the region’s parks.

“To make sure ratepayer funds are being used efficiently, our parks are assessed for maintenance purposes,’’ she said.

“In the case of Inglewood Close Park, the play equipment had reached the end of its design life. So, council had a number of meetings with the surrounding residents and found that the park play equipment was mainly being used at night for anti-social behaviour.

“The surrounding residents preferred the old play equipment be removed, and the park be landscaped with more open green space for passive surveillance, and for families to kick a ball around.”

Visit council’s Know Your Burb website mackay.qld.gov.au/know-your-burb for a list of all playgrounds nearby for families to enjoy.