|
4 November 2009
Playground shade structures not for climbing!
Byron Shire Council has issued an urgent advice to children using Council’s playgrounds of the dangers of using playground shade sails for dangerous and unauthorised purposes.
Byron Shire Council's executive manager of asset management services Phil Holloway said the advice follows an incident in SuffolkPark where a Council installed shade structure was recently cut by children to gain access to the shade sail roof top.
"Pictures in a local newspaper last week clearly demonstrated the dangerous nature of this type of activity.
"The roof structure is there for shade, not as a trampoline or a climbing structure.
"We are asking the community to be on the look out for the inappropriate use or destruction of property and please report it to Council or the Police.
” We also encourage adults to supervise their children when they are using these facilities to ensure that their use is safe and appropriate.”
Council is currently looking at ways to modify the shade structures in order to limit the access to the shade sail roof tops.
Mr Holloway said the majority of shade structures within the Shire have had to be permanently removed due to vandalism and inappropriate use.
He said it not only costs significant funds to replace and repair the equipment, but the playground may be left without shade protection for a period of time.
Incidents of vandalism can be reported to Council on 6626 7000.
END
Media Contact: Donna Johnston
Media Communications Officer
Byron Shire Council
Ph: 02 6626 7320
Byron Shire is located at Australia's eastern-most point with a population of almost 29,000. It is a thriving community where residents and visitors live, work and play in a sustainable environment and where Council strives to deliver the highest standard of local government services and infrastructure.
|