Warrnambool’s new Lake Pertobe playground has sparked jokes on Facebook with residents worried about safety issues

A visiting engineer has commented on the new and dangerous Warrnambool slide, saying there are ways to make it safer. WARNING: DISTRESSING VIDEO

The new slide at a Warrnambool playground is unsafe and poorly designed, residents have said.

The 9m Lake Pertobe slide, which opened as part of the new playground on December 9, has seen several people injure themselves while sliding at the end of the facility or stumbling onto the ground.

Warrnambool City Council recently installed a sign with safety precautions at the playground and shared a post to Facebook about the slide.

Facebook user Tyson Jenkins took to social media, sharing an image of a photoshopped sign, saying: “WCC presents The Elimbinator - bone-shattering fun for the whole family”.

“WCC is missing the slide’s logo, please copy and share until it’s found,” Mr Jenkins jokingly said.

Warrnambool City Council install a sign at the Lake Pertobe playground with safety instructions on how to use the 9m slide. Picture: Jack Colantuono

“I think they got the brief wrong and designed it for a bobsled team,” Cherry Barnes commented.

Residents said the landing space where people exited was too short and this caused them to slip off the end and fall onto the ground.

Due to the force of the slide, people could be prone to injuries if they were unable to slow down in time, residents said.

“Modifications to the base of the slide are necessary,” Jan Johnson commented.

“Widen and lengthen the final landing base.

“Also create a soft surface to the side and base at the bottom landing area.”

Online funsters have renamed the Warrnambool slide ‘The Elimbinator’. Picture: Facebook

Jess Taylor wrote: “How about widening and lengthening the base to avoid legs getting tangled underneath and kids flying off the end onto the concrete.”

Another Facebook user said: “I’d like to see the council members go down the slide.”

Rose Baird said: “I’m sure my two-year-old will read the sign and act accordingly”.

Visiting West Australian mum Wendy Pollard said her daughter was nervous at first when approaching the slide.

“Coming down was easy part for her, climbing up was the scary part.

I have seen some kids fly out of it,” she said.

“Although I like that they have given you guidelines to ensure children are safe.”

There are mixed thoughts and feelings on the safety of the slide, and many residents have said there should be a longer landing space. Picture: Jack Colantuono

Mrs Pollard also said if the landing space was extended, it would keep everyone happy as the slide was not “being taken away”.

Husband Alan Pollard, an engineer, said “if you go head down first it’s obviously not safe”.

“It is a pretty steep angle (looks around 45 degrees) — if they flattened it out at the end that would slow you down,” he said.

Mr Pollard said despite the structure of the slide, children should try to have fun and be safe at the same time.

Warrnambool Councillor Ben Blaine said adults should keep an eye on their children when using the equipment.

“It’s a big piece of equipment and it’s really up to the carers or the parents to ensure their children are safe while using it, but to be honest if it was a little bit longer at the end it would probably be alright,” he said.

“There are really good things we actually do. But there’s always issues,”