The playground equipment within Aranda Reserve has reached the end of its lifespan and needs renewing.

A modest budget, including a grant from the NSW Government, has been allocated to replace the existing swing set and create a soft fall area to comply with current Australian Standards.

In Council’s Open Space and Outdoor Recreation Strategy and Action Plan, we identified there are a high number of playgrounds in this area. As such, an alternative recreational use for Aranda Reserve could be considered.

Between Thursday 15 Februay and Sunday 17 March, we asked for feedback from local residents to see if there was significant demand for a change of use (e.g. nature play or picnic table and shelter, etc.) before proceeding with the playground renewal. The survey asked respondents to nominate their top two preferences from a list of the following options:

• Renew the play equipment with similar equipment, to meet Australian standards - renewal will include soft fall
• Remove the play equipment and replace with static fitness equipment, e.g. pull-up bars, sit-up station, etc
• Remove the play equipment and replace with a picnic table and shelter
• Remove the play equipment and landscape the reserve to create open green space for informal recreation
• Other (please specify).

We received 66 responses to the proposal, with a majority indicating a preference to renew the playground. Further detail on the responses, including all comments, is available in the Community and Stakeholder Engagement Report.

Next steps

Your survey responses told us there is still a need for a playground at Aranda Reserve, and we will proceed with the renewal.

We will aim to design a playground of similar size and equipment to the existing playground. This allows us to remain within budget and leave open space available for recreation, which was also highly desired by respondents.

We will work with a playground supplier to design and construct to current Australian Standards, and aim to complete the playground renewal later this year.