Gippsland mum and other parents call on Baw Baw Shire Council to install fencing around playgrounds at Warragul and Drouin playgrounds
A Gippsland mum whose daughter has autism is pushing for her council to install fences around playgrounds close to safety hazards such as ponds, fountains and busy roads.
Bass Coast News
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Frustrated Gippsland parents are demanding urgent safety updates at popular parks such as fencing with fears nearby roads and lakes pose a risk to children.
Primary school teacher Elysha Clarke, 32, started a change.org petition, which so far has almost 500 signatures, calling on Baw Baw Shire Council to implement full fencing at Warragul Civic Park, Burke St Park and Drouin Civic Park.
Ms Clarke, the mum of five-year-old Claira who has autism and Lily, 1, said she had trouble taking them to Warragul Civic Park because a pond, fountain and a road were close by.
“At Civic Park Claira will just run up to the fountain — so I always need someone to watch her and it’s become quite a stressful situation, when going to the park should be something that’s fun for everybody,” Ms Clarke said.
“As soon as she sees a dog or someone walk past, she’s just constantly running and I can’t keep up with her.
“It’s become pretty much impossible for me to go to the park unless I’ve got my husband with me so we can be one-to-one with both of my children.”
Youth worker Josh Hasan, 35, said Elysha was a “voice” on behalf of all parents.
“I have two kids and thankfully someone like Elysha has stood up and said, ‘you know what, enough is enough, we want fences for our kids’,” Mr Hasan said.
“It’s not just for our kids but for all kids around the area with all kinds of behaviour.”
Mr Hasan said his two-year-old son would also run around Warragul Civic Park and it was important for children to have boundaries.
“The park is quite unique, beautiful and picturesque – but there’s water — and obviously when you add the complexion of autism, that is another layer on top,” he said.
Council candidate Jannette Langley supported the parents’ concerns and agreed that playgrounds near waterways or busy roads should be fenced.
“One (kid) is going to take off on you more than likely,” Ms Langley said.
Candidate Brenda McDermott said Warragul Civic Park was “highly used” and noticed a lot of people expressing their thoughts on the park’s safety.
Baw Baw chief executive Mark Dupe said the council had 16 fully fenced playgrounds throughout the area and council officers were in the process of collecting the data and features of each playground in Baw Baw to redevelop filters on the council’s website to allow parents to choose playgrounds with fences.
“The fencing of further playgrounds in the shire will be considered as part of the new Landscape guidelines.”
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