Glenorchy City Council bans jumping castles, inflatable devices

A southern council has moved to ban any land-based inflatable devices on its properties following the tragic events at Hillcrest Primary School.

JUMPING castles, zorb balls and other land-borne inflatable devices are officially banned on Glenorchy City Council owned properties, in the wake of the Hillcrest Primary School tragedy.

The ban was introduced effective immediately at the council’s meeting on Monday.

“Our policy around the use of jumping castles on council property has always been stringent and has required strict adherence to safety standards,” Mayor Bec Thomas said.

“However, following the unimaginably tragic events in Devonport last week, it’s clear that we need to take steps to remove the risk of anything similar happening here.”

Ald Angela Ryan, who moved an amended motion to introduce the ban, said the council’s policy on jumping castles had been on the agenda before the tragedy unfolded.

“This motion was put on the agenda the day before the tragedy that happened in Devonport,” Ald Ryan said on Monday.

“I hope this appearing on the agenda hasn’t distressed any members of the public seeing it here.

“It was just a coincidence that we were reviewing our policy.”

The policy will be reviewed when the investigation has concluded.

“We will review the policy following any investigation or recommendations into the Hillcrest tragedy, but until then jumping castles won’t be permitted on any property owned by Glenorchy City Council,” Ald Thomas said.