Oatley Park Adventure Inclusive Playspace

Hansard ID: HANSARD-1323879322-108401

Hansard session: Fifty-Seventh Parliament, First Session (57-1)

Oatley Park Adventure Inclusive Playspace

Mr MARK COURE (Oatley) (20:46):

:12 I am happy to announce to the House that the new Oatley Park Adventure Inclusive Playspace was officially opened on Saturday 14 September—which is, in fact, my birthday. Georges River Mayor Kevin Greene and councillors joined me and many others at the official opening. The new park was designed after collaboration with the community. There has been a lot of anticipation around its opening from the community, from mums and dads and kids. Community feedback and ideas were collected at a special open day held at the park, where concept designs were displayed. Ideas were then collated and used by designers to prepare the final stage in association with the community and the council.

The park incorporates landscaping and nature-based play elements, which have been carefully designed to be sensitive to the park's beautiful bushland setting. We are very proud of this project. It delivers a first-class recreational asset that includes new park furniture and recreation infrastructure catering for all ages and abilities. I congratulate former planning Minister Anthony Roberts, who helped deliver the much-needed money to upgrade the park. By using the New South Wales Government's Everyone Can Play inclusive play space guidelines, the council has been able to achieve something really special for Oatley Park. Some 80 per cent of the playground and its play elements are accessible for children of all abilities.

The park includes separate play zones, with a toddler park play area, flying fox, active park zone and teen breakout area. The playground was constructed using natural-based materials. The park also includes new picnic and barbecue facilities. I assure members it is a fantastic upgrade to Oatley Park. The new park makes it possible for families to enjoy a great day out in a wonderful location. Kids can have an absolute field day making use of all the different equipment. This project was completed under the New South Wales Government's Open Space and Parklands program with the help of Georges River Council through its section 94 contributions. Kevin Greene, a former member of this place and the Mayor of Georges River, and I worked hand in hand to ensure—

Mr Greg Piper:

Kevin Greene? I know Kevin Greene.

Mr MARK COURE:

He is a good man. We worked hand in hand to ensure that Oatley Park had an inclusive adventure playground. Everyone in my local community has a story to tell about Oatley Park. I attended the school up the road, St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Oatley, and on a Friday afternoon my two younger brothers and I would go to the park and play on the steamroller. There is a still a steamroller there, would you believe? In fact, about 15 years ago the local council decided to take away the steamroller.

Mr Greg Piper:

Shame!

Ms Liesl Tesch:

Shame!

Mr MARK COURE:

There was a public outcry. Peter Tuziak, an attendant in this House, knows Oatley Park. One would think council deciding to remove the steamroller was one of the reasons I was re‑elected in 2015. There was a lot of opposition to its removal. The steamroller has been upgraded and reinstated, and now the next generation uses it. On a Friday afternoon my younger son, a 5½-year-old, plays on the steamroller after I pick him up from school. You get goosebumps. It is a great park. It is wonderful to have the steamroller updated and upgraded. The new playground is truly innovative in every way, shape and form. It is state of the art. I really enjoy viewing the new space. I look forward to taking my family to the new, upgraded Oatley Park as the weeks, months and years go by.