Kingborough mayor Dean Winter reveals plans for Kingston’s big budget playground

From flying foxes and bike paths to half-court basketball and street skate parkour, Kingborough Council is planning a $7 million playground it believes will be the best in Tasmania. FIRST LOOK AT THE DESIGNS HERE

Deputy Mayor Jo Westwood with her children (L-R) Cooper 7, Finlay 9, Fraser 3, Emelia, 9, with Mayor Dean Winter and his children, Harriet, 2, and George, 3. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

FROM flying foxes and bike paths to half-court basketball and street skate parkour, Kingborough Council is planning a $7 million playground it believes will be the best in Tasmania.

Kingborough Mayor Dean Winter will today unveil plans for the multimillion-dollar playground at the new Kingston Park development, but he is calling on the Federal Government to stump up the cash to make the project a reality.

An artists impression of Kingborough Council’s proposed $7 million playground. Picture: SUPPLIED

Cr Winter said the proposed $7 million Kingston Park playground and public open space would be one of the most extensive public areas in greater Hobart.

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The playground is designed to appeal to all ages.

As well as activities such as the flying fox and play equipment for younger children, the public open space also includes exercise stations and an amphitheatre with the potential to be used for Carols by Candlelight and other entertainment events.

But for the playground to become a reality, it needs Federal Government money.

Kingborough Council is spending $20 million on surrounding infrastructure.

With a federal election around the corner, Cr Winter wants both major parties to back the project.

“We know we’re not seen as a marginal electorate, but that shouldn’t mean our residents miss out on the sort of investment that is being seen in other electorates,” he said.

“This project is a decade in the making and supports the fastest-growing population in Tasmania.”

Cr Winter said in the wake of independent MP Andrew Wilkie’s $60 million cash splash across the electorate of Clark (formerly Denison), it was now up to both the Liberal and Labor parties to prove they could deliver.

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“[Labor’s] Julie Collins has been a rock-solid local member who has come through with big commitments when we needed them,” he said.

“So, too, have the Liberals with their $2.8 million investment in our new community hub.

“But the simple fact is that the independent in Clark has spent the past month announcing over $60 million, so our expectations have grown.”

Kingston Park is set to transform the Kingston area with the development to include a mix of low, medium and high-density residential and retirement living, including aged care.

Cr Winter said the playground plan was a direct response to community feedback to keep the old Kingston High School site a public area.

“While the remainder of the site will be developed into housing, a health precinct, cinema complex and a major employer, this vast area will be retained in public ownership as open space,” he said.

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