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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