Student loses bid for monkey bars

Monkey bars will not be installed at Trafalgar’s McGregor Park, despite requests from an eight-year-old resident.

Audrey Cheatley will be 22-years-old before monkey bars could be installed when Baw Baw Shire’s next park upgrade is due.

Addressing council, Audrey said it was “too long to wait.”

“My friends and I will be 22 by then and too old to enjoy monkey bars. A lot of people my age have grown out of the park equipment,” she said.

Audrey told council with lots of new houses being built in Trafalgar there would be more children wanting play equipment. “McGregor Park is a beautiful place to be and play.”

She said monkey bars would make McGregor Park more exciting and there were 96 people her age that supported her request for monkey bars.

But council supported the officer’s recommendation to maintain the McGregor Park playground in its current state until it was due for renewal.

The report to council said a park masterplan was developed as part of the Trafalgar land use strategy.

The current playground in the park was upgraded in 2015 at a cost of $400,000.

The playground includes a labyrinth, shelter and barbecue area, pathways, landscaping, public art and a playground. The playground area is divided into three main mulched and soft fall areas.

Officers said there were two public playgrounds with monkey bars in Trafalgar at Apex Park and Brindlewood Park. Trafalgar primary School also has monkey bars.

The report said these sites were all located within one kilometre of McGregor Park.

“A new area for monkey bars with adequate softfall would need to be created at McGregor Park as there is insufficient space within the current playground areas to accommodate this equipment whilst maintaining the layout and allowing sufficient fall zones to meet Australian standards,” the report said.

Officers estimated the monkey bars and surrounding area would cost about $16,000 to establish.

Cr Darren Wallace said McGregor Park had a well planned masterplan.

“Playgrounds have a life cycle of 20 years so it still has another 13 years. The playground still has plenty of life left in it and there are other options for monkey bars in Trafalgar,” he said.

Cr Wallace called for a division on the vote. Supporting the officer recommendation were Crs Wallace, Danny Goss, Peter Kostos, Michael Leaney and Joe Gauci. Crs Annemarie McCabe and Tricia Jones voted against the motion.