$1.25M for iconic hinterland playground

Council’s draft 2018/19 budget includes $1.25M to finalise a design and break ground on a new nature-based hinterland playground at Cooroy.

“These funds will allow us to present the community with a range of exciting concepts for the playground, finalise the design and start construction in early 2019,” Mayor Tony Wellington said.

“The playground will be built beside Mary River Road, in front of the Cooroy library. Some of the features we’ll consider for the playground include climbing zones, a flying fox, green space, and a water play area.

Project Officer Dallas Bickley says the project is one of the most exciting he has had the pleasure to work on.

“The vision is for a nature-based facility," Dallas said. "For example, the water play area will likely imitate a creek or stream, where children can build small dams and play with rocks and sand.”

“The playground will also include new public amenities and barbecue shelters. These will likely be incorporated into the natural features with earth covered roofs and that sort of thing."

The Mayor said Council was aiming to create a unique playground that will draw people to the hinterland.

“We want this to be a playground that brings families back again and again. It has to have that "wow!" factor - the sort of playground that young people may remember for the rest of their lives. The nature-based theme is totally in-keeping with what Noosa is all about.”

The Mayor said the $1.25M commitment would fund design and the start of construction next year. Council aims to consult on the designs later this calendar year.

“This project will roll over two financial years. I’m hoping it will be up and running by the end of the 2019 calendar year.”

3 July 2018