Council
22 October, 2025
Council to step up efforts for inclusive playground
Goulburn-Mulwaree Council will step up efforts to have an inclusive playground built somewhere in the LGA.
Goulburn-Mulwaree Council will step up efforts to have an inclusive playground built somewhere in the LGA.
Council resolved at its September meeting – based on a Notice of Motion from Cr Jason Shepherd – to investigate and seek funding opportunities for the development of an inclusive playground within Victoria Park or at another suitable location.
Cr Shepherd said his Notice of Motion had been in response to “years of advocacy” from families, carers and aged care providers seeking a “safe and welcoming place for people of all ages”.
“Whilst we have many playgrounds across the region, none are truly inclusive,” Cr Shepherd said.
“This isn’t about adding another playground – it’s about creating one or better yet recreating one that everyone can use.”
The playground would be aligned with NSW’s Everyone Can Play framework and would be designed to support children and adults of all abilities including children with disabilities and neurodivergent needs and older people living with dementia.
Features would include quiet zones, sensory zones and clear wayfinding.
Cr Shepherd said concerns relating to cost were ‘valid’ but he is confident an inclusive playground could be delivered affordably with smart design, community input, funding support and by “building on what we already have”.
“This isn’t a high-risk facility – it’s a high-impact one and will offer lasting benefits across generations,” Cr Shepherd said.
He urged councillors to support the motion “not just because it (the inclusive playground) is needed but it is the right thing to do”.
A number of councillors questioned the wording of Cr Shepherd’s original Notice of Motion which called on council to make the inclusive playground project a priority.
Cr Bob Kirk said there were “a lot of things” that council needed to prioritise and suggested instead that council endorse the project and seek external funding opportunities.
Cr Caitlin Flint said council had an “extensive stock” of playgrounds which presented budgeting issues in terms of on-going maintenance and renewals.
She said council had seven playgrounds that were at end-of-life or near end-of-life and was unable to budget for the renewal of those assets. The playground in Elizabeth Street had been barricaded for many years because it was unsafe and dilapidated.
“Whilst it is fantastic that we would have something like this in our LGA we need to very realistic and (recognise) that this will not be the result of savings in our general fund or a general fund allocation and we will be very much reliant on grant opportunities,” Cr Flint said.
Cr Liz McKeon said there were “lots” of people in the Goulburn-Mulwaree area feeling isolated because they didn’t have access to a fenced park.
She said safety was the “number one priority” for people with disabilities, neurodivergence and older residents.
“We have a dementia community unable to access any parks in the LGA because they are not fenced,” she said.
Councillors voted unanimously in favour of an amended Notice of Motion that council “investigate and seek funding opportunities for the development of an inclusive background within Victoria Park – or another location within the Goulburn-Mulwaree LGA – aligned with NSW’s Everyone Can Play framework and designed to support children and adults of all ages”.
The original motion had called on council to “investigate and prioritise” the development of an inclusive playground.
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