Families across the Peninsula now have access to more playspaces with Central Coast Council recently completing construction on playspace projects at Umina Beach and Woy Woy.
Construction has been completed on a new nature themed local playspace at Australia Ave in Umina Beach which was funded by Local Infrastructure Contributions.
Work on a playspace at Vernon Park, also at Umina Beach, has recently been completed.
The Anderson Park playspace in Woy Woy was also opened earlier this month.
Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Julie Vaughan said these new spaces have been guided by community feedback as part of Council’s recently adopted Central Coast Playspace Strategy.
“Council operates and maintains over 260 playspaces across the Central Coast and we are thrilled to announce that a number of new playspaces are now open for the community to enjoy,” Vaughan said.
“All of these new areas are safe, inclusive and accessible for the whole community to enjoy.
“Most importantly, they have been shaped as a result of valuable community feedback to ensure we deliver spaces that reflect the needs and wants of local residents.”
The demolition of the Pelican Park playspace at Woy Woy continues to be on the table with community consultation reported to be occurring ‘soon’.
In a July 26 media release, Council said they were ‘listening to the community and acknowledges the community’s concerns and questions around the playspace and other projects as part of Woy Woy’s masterplan, which will be addressed as part of upcoming engagement to consult with the broader community’.
Upgrade works have also been completed on a new district-level playspace at Susan Fahey Park in Copacabana, jointly funded by Central Coast Council with grant funding from the NSW Government’s Everyone Can Play Program.
Council Administrator, Rik Hart said this new infrastructure supports Council’s vision to have a network of high quality playspaces across the Coast.
“The heart of any neighbourhood, playspaces are important community hubs where people of all ages and interests can connect, socialise, learn and lead active lifestyles,” Hart said.
“Council is committed to investing in innovative and high quality playspaces that deliver the best for our community and contribute to active lifestyles of our children, however in three years’ time we will be facing an annual income loss of $25million and this means some of the service reductions our community is vocalising now will worsen.
“Without maintaining the 15 percent special variation for the life of the 10-year Long Term Financial Plan, Council may again find itself in a dire financial situation.”
Outdoor playgrounds in the Central Coast region currently remain open for exercise purposes, with Council working to ensure as many areas as possible are available to support social distancing.
Source:
Media release, July 26
Central Coast Council