Bayside Council orders Brighton East family to remove tree swing amid safety concerns
You usually find swings in playgrounds or in the backyard, but a Brighton East grandpa decided on a different spot for his homemade play equipment. Now, Bayside Council has dubbed it a “hazard” and wants it removed.
Inner South
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A devastated Carnegie boy has made a passionate plea to save a tree swing outside his grandparents’ Brighton East home.
It comes after Bayside Council ordered it be taken down amid safety concerns — and the family could be slapped with a $3300 fine if they don’t comply.
Rafi, 7, and his brother Arlo, 3, have been playing on the swing since their grandpa put it on the Milroy St nature strip tree about 12 months ago.
But authorities last week moved to spoil the party, giving the family just five days to remove it.
Rafi’s mum, Lisa, said her oldest son was so upset he wanted to get the Prime Minister to intervene.
“He wanted to write to Scott Morrison asking him to let the swing stay but I told him he should try his local politician first,” she said.
In a letter sent to Brighton state Liberal MP James Newbury, Rafi begs to be allowed to keep the swing.
Mr Newbury backed Rafi.
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“As a father I want my children, and all our children, to take advantage of our public open spaces,” he said.
“We need to be careful not to over-regulate the fun our kids have outdoors.”
But Bayside Council’s city planning and amenity director Hamish Reid said the swing was a “hazard to pedestrians using the footpath and to the health of the tree”.
He refused to say what action would be taken against the family if the swing was not taken down, but under local laws the maximum penalty is a $3304.40 fine.
“We’d like to think the family will remove the swing from the nature strip before we need to take action,” Dr Reid said.
“For matters such as this (the) council try and achieve compliance through education and co-operation rather than enforcement at first contact.”
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Dr Reid said permits for swings on council land would not be granted “due to the risk involved”.
“Council wants to encourage active play but carries the risk if the swing is installed on council assets,” he said.
“Council provides swings and other stimulating play equipment in numerous parks around Bayside.
“(The owner) is welcome to erect the swing on his own property.”
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