Playground ripped up

By Rebecca Fraser
YOUNG children watched in surprise last week as a Berwick playground was demolished right in front of their eyes.
Berwick mother of two Kim Peterson said Casey Council never told residents living around Hazeldene Reserve that its play equipment was to be removed.
She said it was disappointing that the opinions of residents had not been taken into account and many young children had now been left without a playground.
The council has since told Ms Peterson that the play equipment did not comply with current safety standards.
Ms Peterson said she understood this but could not understand why the old equipment could not be replaced.
Casey manager works and operations Alex Micheli this week said a new playground would not be built until the 2008/09 financial year, meaning local children will have to wait at least another two years for new equipment.
Ms Peterson and other residents received a letter from the council last Friday explaining why the equipment had been removed and listing other local playgrounds residents could use.
Ms Peterson said the suggested play areas, including Pioneer Park, were not suitable for young children and toddlers.
She said Hazeldene Reserve was well used by local families and children of all ages.
Ms Peterson said if the council had surveyed or contacted residents they would have realised that the reserve was very popular with young families.
“Apparently without asking residents, nor doing surveys of its usage, the council decided that nobody knew of this park, so it didn’t need to be replaced.
“Try explaining to your young children that the council is working on a strategic plan that will be taken into account in 2008.
“A big assumption was made that people would just go to Pioneer Park. No one asked what residents thought. They should have told the local people.
“We live here, we are part of the community and it is like we are not a valid consideration.”
Mr Micheli said it was council practice to inform residents before play equipment was removed but in this instance it had not proved possible.
He said the playground was first scheduled for removal last year but this was postponed due to wet weather.
Mr Micheli said the council then received notification on Friday, 29 September from the contractor that as the ground was now dry the playground would be torn down on Monday, 2 October.
This, Mr Micheli said, did not give the council enough time to notify residents in nearby properties.
However, he confirmed that a letter had since been sent out by the council informing residents of the equipment’s removal and alternate play areas in their neighbourhood.
Mr Micheli said safety standards had changed and an independent audit had found that the equipment no longer complied with Australian standards.