By JODIE SYMONDS
YARRA Ranges Council plans to close Queen’s Park in Healesville within the next four weeks, due to issues of safety with the rubber matting and tanbark.
Healesville mother Georgina Shannon has raised her concerns that the height of the tanbark was not to the required standards.
The rubber matting is also breaking away at the edges and tree roots are being exposed around some of the play equipment.
“I just think the condition Queen’s Park is in is pretty bad,” Ms Shannon said.
According to the Victorian Education’s Guidelines for School Playgrounds, the required height for landing is 300 millimetres or more for areas in high use.
“If a kid fell off the swing or missed their footing going to the slide, there isn’t any tanbark – they could easily crack open their head,” Ms Shannon said.
Director Environment and Engineering, Mark Varmalis said the playground would be closed for a couple of days while works took place and information signs would be installed during the works.
“We have planned to remove the damaged rubber matting and concrete and replace with the soft fall.”
The Yarra Ranges Council has implemented a program between January and May across 116 playgrounds to top up soft fall in playgrounds.
For more information on the School Playground Guidelines, visit http://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/principals/spag/infrastructure/Documents/schoolplaygroundguide.docx.
Residents can call council on 1300 368 333 to report any concerns about playgrounds in the Yarra Ranges.
