Girl petitions Sunshine Coast Council to improve Mooloolaba playground for children in wheelchairs

After landing more than 1000 signatures, a young girl is ready to face the council to improve a beachside playground for children in wheelchairs.

With slides, swings, and a seal-shaped rocking chair, a Sunshine Coast beachside playground is a hit with children, but a young girl says it has a glaring flaw.

Poppy-Evie, 7, said she spotted a child in a wheelchair in May unable to enter the area as it’s barricaded with one entrance: a three-step staircase.

“It made me feel really sad,” she said.

Poppy-Evie has since launched a petition asking the Sunshine Coast Council to create access and activities at the playground in Mooloolaba for children in wheelchairs.

The seven-year-old has poured her heart into the cause by visiting the playground each week and asking strangers to sign her petition, landing more than 1000 signatures so far from a physical and online petition.

Poppy-Evie, alongside her mum Kahlia and councillor Joe Natoli, has planned to table her petition at a council ordinary meeting on Thursday.

“I feel really happy that I’ve made it so far,” she said.

Poppy-Evie, whose middle name is Oceania, drew a picture of new, innovative concepts for the playground, such as a wheelchair-friendly swing, merry-go-round, and a “space gallery”. She also wanted to name the park Oceania Park.

Her mum, Kahlia, said she was proud and “blown away” by her daughter’s ambition and commitment to making change.

“Poppy is in her element,” she said.

A Sunshine Coast Council spokesman said the council was committed to being inclusive and planned to “fully” upgrade the playground as refurbishing it wouldn’t meet modern universal accessibility standards.

The spokesman said the council planned to build a new junior playground in the same area as part of the council’s vision to revitalise the foreshore in Mooloolaba.

In the meantime, the council planned to find ways to make the existing playground more accessible.

Despite this master plan, councillor Joe Natoli said he hoped the council would consider Poppy-Evie’s petition because it was a well-used playground, had two spots for a new ramp, and would also support mobility scooters and those with prams.

“It makes a lot of sense,” he said.