Page 843 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 21 March 2018
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Mrs Jones: We have gone backwards.
MR HANSON: Yes, indeed, as Mrs Jones says, we have gone backwards. There is a range of shops there at Waramanga. They are good shops and they would benefit as a hub. We would uplift the economic activity and get the shops renewed, because the more people who go there and the more people who use them, the better business will be, and that is good for the community as well.
You certainly can see an example of this in Chifley. They have an excellent playground in Chifley. They have a good one there and people drive out of their way to go there—I have been there many times—then you use the shops that are there. But that is not possible for a lot of people. A lot of people cannot get in their car and drive across to that single playground that you will often find is overused.
Mrs Jones: Families with one car.
MR HANSON: Indeed, families with one car or often grandparents who are looking after children are unable to go six suburbs across town to use the adequate facilities. The submission goes on to state:
Waramanga residents need a place that children of all abilities and cultures can enjoy—a community space to enjoy birthdays, weekend barbecues and special events. The proposed playground will contain a mix of all-accessible and all ages play equipment including exercise infrastructure so it is inclusive and provides a space that anyone can enjoy.
It also makes the point that the playground be fenced. This is a point that Mrs Jones has made publicly, and privately to me, many times. That makes a big difference for parents, particularly if they have special needs kids, if they have more than one child or if they have babies. They may be breastfeeding one child and trying to look after two others. It is very difficult if that facility is not fenced. So that is a good proposal.
A reference group was established. I have already identified that Elizabeth and Dan are here. There are also many other members from the local community and people supporting them. We have seen this with the petition.
There has been a design put forward by Indesco architects. They have provided a full concept design for the Waramanga nature play space for consideration by the minister and the government. That has been made available to the minister and certainly to all members for Murrumbidgee. It looks great. I confess that I am not an expert in playground design, but it looks good. I am not necessarily calling on the government to implement that exactly but certainly to work with the community to make sure that a playground of that nature, all that work that has gone into it, is actually put forward.
This proposal has broad support, including from yourself, Mr Assistant Speaker. Let me quote what you have said about this proposal:
Prior to entering politics, I was an education advocate, at peak body Early Childhood Australia and know how important playgrounds are for development. There couldn’t be a more important task—
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