Kingborough Council considering selling off vacant blocks to fund critical playground upgrades

A Tasmanian council has found 18 of its playgrounds need critical upgrades as it considers selling off local land to pay for the repairs. SEE THE FULL LIST OF PLAYGROUNDS AND LAND THAT COULD BE SOLD >>

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A SOUTHERN Tasmanian council is considering selling off prime blocks of vacant land to fund repairs to almost 20 playgrounds which are in critical need of upgrading.

A recent Kingborough Council playground audit found that more than half of the 45 playgrounds in the municipality were in an unsatisfactory condition and 18 were categorised as needing critical upgrades to comply with the council’s playground strategy.

Kingborough Mayor Dean Winter with his children Harriet and George. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Mayor Dean Winter said while all playgrounds were safe, the council accepted many were in poor condition.

“Unfortunately, not enough has been invested into the renewal of our playgrounds over decades,” he said.

“The end result is that our current playgrounds are not up to community expectations.

“Given the financial impact of COVID-19 on our community, I don’t think it’s realistic to ask families to pay additional rates to resolve this. Therefore, an option we are considering is to use the sale of seven disused council owned properties to carry out some of these critical upgrades.”

The properties being considered for sale are 110 Channel Highway, Taroona, Lot 2, Mt Pleasant Rd, Kingston, 31 Gemalla Rd, Margate, Snug Tiers Rd, Snug (near 105), 281 Roslyn Ave, Blackmans Bay, 41 Hiern Rd, Blackmans Bay and Main Rd, Alonnah (near Hotel Bruny).

Kingborough playgrounds found to be in need of critical upgrades:

• Louise Hinsby Reserve, Jenkins St, Taroona
• Foley Road Reserve, Foley Rd/Willowbend Rd, Kingston
• Snug Hall Playground, Beach Rd, Snug
• Willowbend Park, Willowbend Rd, Kingston
• Donohoe Gardens Park, Blackmans Bay
• Suncoast Drive Reserve, Suncoast Dr, Blackmans Bay
• Sedgebrook Reserve, Channel Hwy, Bonnet Hill
• Delta Ave Reserve, Taroona
• Lennon Memorial Hall, Bruny Island Main Rd
• Alonnah Skatepark, Bruny Island
• Alonnah (Foreshore) Playground, Bruny Island
• Alamo Close Park, Blackmans Bay
• Longley Recreation Reserve, Huon Rd, Longley
• Mount Royal Park, Jerrim Pl/Nicholas Dr, Kingston Beach
• Mirrimar Park Reserve, Blackmans Bay
• Mayfield Park, Sirius Dr/Mariner Cir, Huntingfield
• Sirius Park, Huntingfield
• Freesia Crescent Reserve, Kingston

The council will advertise its intention to sell the properties, which will allow residents to have their say before any final decision is made, Cr Winter said.

“Our council owns a lot of properties – the seven in question have not been used for any purpose for a considerable period of time and have no identified future council use,” he said.

“Six out of seven of the properties are suitable for housing, while the other is light industrial land, which is in short supply.

“The hope is that we can release more land for much needed investment and housing while at the same time generating cash to reinvest into our much-loved public playgrounds.”

Artist impressions of the new $7m playground at Kingston Park due to be completed in February. Picture: SUPPLIED

Kingborough Council is also currently building was has been tipped to become the state’s best playground at Kingston Park.

The $7 million project is anticipated to be completed in February following COVID-19-related delays.

Cr Winter said the council aimed to upgrade its existing playgrounds by the end of its current term in 2022 to “leave a legacy of great playgrounds for future generations.”

Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the Hobart City Council spent about $80,000 a year on playground equipment renewal.

“We’re in a current cycle phase where most of our equipment is quite new and the need for replacement is minimal,” she said.

“Our playgrounds are visually inspected by our staff at least weekly to identify any deterioration, damage or hazards, with more detailed inspections taking place at least several times a year and as often as monthly for our highest use facilities.

“In addition, an external expert conducts a thorough assessment all of our playground equipment every year to ensure it continues to meet Australian standards.”

A council spokesman said Clarence’s playgrounds were also subject to an annual independent audit.