Police hunt Eltham North playground firebug as pledges to rebuild slide in
COMMUNITY leaders have swung into action to rebuild the region’s iconic adventure playground as police continue to track down the culprit who destroyed it on the brink of Christmas.
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COMMUNITY leaders have swung into action to rebuild the region’s iconic adventure playground as police continue to track down the culprit who destroyed it on the brink of Christmas.
The beloved Eltham North Adventure Playground, on Wattletree Rd, was gutted by fire in the early hours on Saturday, December 16.
Detective acting senior sergeant Shawn Kostiw from the Banyule Criminal Investigation Unit said investigators were hunting the arsonist but urged anyone with information to come forward.
RELATED: Adventure Playground in Eltham North destroyed by suspicious fire
Meanwhile, thousands of dollars have been pledged to help rebuild the playground.
The State Government has pumped $50,000 into the project while the Eltham and District Community Bank will match community contributions, dollar for dollar, up to $25,000.
Television and radio personality Rex Hunt is speaking with Nillumbik Council about possible fundraising opportunities too.
Nillumbik mayor Peter Clarke vowed to have the new playground built within a year of the fire.
He said a claim had been submitted to the insurance company which will assess its replacement value.
“They’ve appointed a quantity surveyor who works off the existing drawings plus photos and they determine a budget to rebuild it,” Cr Clarke said.
“We’re also starting a piece of work around what we want the new one to look and feel like, with community input.”
Mother Bambi McLean was the driver of the community group which funded and designed the original adventure playground in Eltham North, 25 years ago.
She said with the input of local families and schools they were able to create a space suitable for a wide range of age groups where parents could also get involved.
“I’m excited to see that everybody has got on board,” Ms McLean said.
“I think they should create a playground that complements the area and an improvement on what has been done before.”
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