No. 73

REVITALISATION OF PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS
Canberra’s local playgrounds and district parks will receive a boost in the 2007-08 ACT Budget, with two new ‘liberty’ swings and a flying fox among the features that the Canberra community will be able to enjoy soon.

Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, John Hargreaves, said the Stanhope Government would invest $2.8 million into upgrading and improving facilities and infrastructure at local and district parks across the Territory — comprising $2.3 million plus $500,000 in capital upgrades funding for playgrounds.

“The ACT Government will improve playgrounds and BBQ areas and provide additional shading at several of our local and district parks,” said Mr Hargreaves. “In addition, the 2007-08 Budget will also provide funding for larger-scale improvements. Canberrans using John Knight Memorial Park in Belconnen, for example, will be able to enjoy a new flying fox and exercise track.

Mr Hargreaves said the Government would provide $210,000 for two new ‘liberty’ swings for people with disabilities, following the success of the first such swing at Black Mountain Peninsula.

“’Liberty’ swings offer children and adults in wheelchairs the opportunity to experience the sensation of swinging in our parks, where they would not otherwise be able to,” he said. 

“This Budget will provide two new swings, one at Yerrabi Ponds and another in the Tuggeranong area.

“In addition to a new ‘liberty’ swing, Yerrabi Ponds District Park will also benefit from a new shade structure to provide shelter over junior play areas and BBQ improvements.

“At Eddison Park a new exercise track will be built, the playground will be expanded and improvements will be made to the pond areas.

“Canberra’s local parks and places are very popular.  Each year we see tens of thousands of people using our parks and facilities. The ACT Government is committed to ensuring that these parks are well maintained and that we continue to improve these facilities, despite the difficult drought conditions.

“This funding will ensure that our local and district parks continue to be valuable community assets into the future,” said Mr Hargreaves.