Decision details

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.

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