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Fitzroy Gardens Playground Safety Audit

Decision Maker: Council

Decision status: Recommendations Determined

Decision:

Moved by Councillor Phelps, seconded by Councillor Forster -

It is resolved that:

(A)      Council note:

(i)         Fitzroy Gardens is a heritage park, essential to the character of Kings Cross and Potts Point and a vital open space for the local community. The Council website states that "this enclosed playground is suitable for children of all ages";

(ii)        however, the design of the playground and the surrounding fence have areas where the safety of the children is a concern. These include:

(a)       gaps between the bars in the fence being wide enough for a child to fit through;

(b)       high drops with no fencing or safety measure to prevent falls; and

(c)       a large pothole in the middle of the playground where a tree was removed, which provides a risk of injury and fall; and

(iii)      it is the Council's responsibility to ensure all council-owned facilities are safe; and

(B)      the Chief Executive Officer be requested to:

(i)         conduct an urgent safety audit of the Fitzroy Gardens Playground;

(ii)        rectify any safety issues; and

(iii)      provide a report on the results to Councillors.

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Note – the motion above was not carried. The resolution as below was carried –

It is resolved that:

(A)      Council note:

(i)         it is the Council's responsibility to ensure all council-owned facilities are safe;

(ii)        the City undertakes, daily, quarterly and annual safety and condition assessments of its playgrounds to identify risks, and to make sure that they comply with Australian Standards;

(iii)      quarterly audits and annual inspections are completed by an independent playground assessor;

(iv)      a comprehensive inspection of Fitzroy Gardens was done in March 2020, and a quarterly operational inspection was done in June 2020;

(v)       no safety risks were identified, and minor routine repairs were made;

(vi)      the playground, including fall heights and softfall, complied with Australian Standards at the time of construction, and continues to comply with current standards; and

(vii)     another quarterly independent safety inspection of the Fitzroy Gardens Playground is scheduled for the end of October 2020; and

(B)      the Chief Executive Officer be requested to:

(i)         report the results of the next audit for of the Fitzroy Gardens Playground via CEO update; and

(ii)        rectify any safety issues.

The amendment was carried on the following show of hands:

Ayes (9)          The Chair (the Lord Mayor), Councillors Forster, Kok, Miller, Phelps, Scott, Scully, Thalis and Vithoulkas

Noes (1)          Councillor Chung.

Amendment carried.

The motion was carried unanimously.

S129263

Report author: Erin Cashman

Publication date: 26/10/2020

Date of decision: 26/10/2020

Decided at meeting: 26/10/2020 - Council

Accompanying Documents: