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New Horseshoe Bay Playground

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Consultation regarding the playground has concluded and the community are now enjoying a fabulous facility.

The project

The South West Rocks Sport and Recreation Association have worked with Council to create a new and expanded playground in the Horseshoe Bay Reserve.

Stage 1 was completed in late 2016 following extensive community engagement to develop the concept design and agree which equipment to prioritise within the available budget.

The initial upgrade included a double flying fox, nest swing, two slides, stepping logs, a traditional swing set and a large shaded deck. A number of plants and landscaping as well as upgrades to the surrounding footpaths and parking were also part of this stage.

About 75 adult volunteers, 220 students from South West Rocks Public School and 25 volunteers from the Clontarf Academy and Corrective Services all contributed to the build, along with Council staff.

Ahead of Stage 2 of the playground commencing, Council launched a survey asking the community to vote on what piece of Toddler equipment they wanted to see installed in the playground.

It was a fantastic response to Council’s online survey with 130 people casting a vote.

The clear winner was Toddler option 4 which features a musical chimes panel, a crawl tunnel, binoculars and a rockwall climber.

Stage 2 of the upgrade began in June and was completed and opened on Friday September 22, marking the completion of the playground project.

Some of the new features of stage 2 of the playground include a 6 metre spider climber, a new toddler's piece, an all-inclusive orbiter, a triple-bay swing-set with a joey seat attachment for parent and bub, monkey bars and a mud kitchen.

Other features include carved wood panels made by students from Kempsey High School and colourful cultural poles made by Kempsey Family Support Services with primary schools and preschools in South West Rocks, South West Rocks Aboriginal Corporation, National Parks and Wildlife Service and Scouts.



The project

The South West Rocks Sport and Recreation Association have worked with Council to create a new and expanded playground in the Horseshoe Bay Reserve.

Stage 1 was completed in late 2016 following extensive community engagement to develop the concept design and agree which equipment to prioritise within the available budget.

The initial upgrade included a double flying fox, nest swing, two slides, stepping logs, a traditional swing set and a large shaded deck. A number of plants and landscaping as well as upgrades to the surrounding footpaths and parking were also part of this stage.

About 75 adult volunteers, 220 students from South West Rocks Public School and 25 volunteers from the Clontarf Academy and Corrective Services all contributed to the build, along with Council staff.

Ahead of Stage 2 of the playground commencing, Council launched a survey asking the community to vote on what piece of Toddler equipment they wanted to see installed in the playground.

It was a fantastic response to Council’s online survey with 130 people casting a vote.

The clear winner was Toddler option 4 which features a musical chimes panel, a crawl tunnel, binoculars and a rockwall climber.

Stage 2 of the upgrade began in June and was completed and opened on Friday September 22, marking the completion of the playground project.

Some of the new features of stage 2 of the playground include a 6 metre spider climber, a new toddler's piece, an all-inclusive orbiter, a triple-bay swing-set with a joey seat attachment for parent and bub, monkey bars and a mud kitchen.

Other features include carved wood panels made by students from Kempsey High School and colourful cultural poles made by Kempsey Family Support Services with primary schools and preschools in South West Rocks, South West Rocks Aboriginal Corporation, National Parks and Wildlife Service and Scouts.



Consultation regarding the playground has concluded and the community are now enjoying a fabulous facility.

  • Toddler option 1

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    The Giggleswick Plus by Playdale is for children 2-5 years. It has a softfall area of 37m2 and consists of the following:

    • Square Tower (0.9m)
    • Angled Tower (0.9m)
    • Triangular Lookout Tower (0.9m)
    • Slide (0.9m)
    • Ladder (0.9m)
    • Ramp Climber (0.9m)
    • Scramble Net (0.9m)
    • Bridge
    • Playhouse
    • Bubble Play Panel

  • Toddler option 2

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    The Moduplay Pirate Ship is for children 2-7 years. It has a softfall area of 50m2 and consists of the following:

    • SRP Jarrah Boat Bow
    • Captain’s Wheel
    • Telescope
    • Maze Panel
    • Jarrah Shop Front
    • Port Hole Panel
    • Moduplay Mast with Sails
    • SRP Jarrah x 2
    • Bubble Panel
    • Turbo Slide Straight, 0.9m high
    • Crawl Tunnel Bridge, 1m
    • Fire Pole, 0.9m high
    • Rope Net Ramp, 0.9m rise
    • 1 x Triangle Alum. Platform, 0.4m high
    • 1 x Triangle Alum. Platform, 0.6m high
    • 2 x 1m² Aluminium Platform, 0.9m high


  • Toddler option 3

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    The a_space Streamline is for children aged 2+. It has a softfall area of 56.4m2 and consists of the following:

    • 1x SL Wiggly Bridge 1500 with 13 Bar Infill
    • 1x SL Clinker Climber 750 x 300 Incuding Single Handrails
    • 1x SL Cable Rope Net Climber 1200
    • 1x SL Climbing Ring Tunnel
    • 1x SL Rock Panel 1200
    • 1x SL Acess Rungs 1200
    • SL Ladder 900
    • 4x SL 750 Square Platform Aluminium Braced
    • SL Squeeze Bar Panel
    • 3x SL Streamline Plastic Infill Panel
    • 1x SL Steering Wheel HDPE Plastic
    • 1x SL Cruiser Panel HDPE
    • 1x SL SAB Trekker 900
    • 1x SL Slide Curved 1200 RM
    • SL Curley Climber 1200

  • Toddler option 4

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    The Moduplay Combination Unit is for children aged 2-7 years. It has a softfall area of 51.4m2 and consists of the following:

    • Safety Step Ladder, 0.9m rise
    • Fire Pole, 0.9m high
    • SRP Jarrah x 5
    • Binoculars
    • Crawl Tunnel, 1m
    • Rockwall Climber, 1.2m rise
    • Rope Net Climb, 1.2m rise
    • Captain’s Steering Wheel
    • Double Turbo Slide, 1.2m high
    • Metro Roof x 3
    • Shop Counter
    • Abacus Panel
    • Play Musical Chimes Panel
    • 3 x 1m² Aluminium Platform, 0.9m high
    • 2 x 1m² Aluminium Platform, 1.2m high

  • Community Survey Results July 2016

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    In June/July of 2016, Council conducted a community survey to get feedback on how the playground is used and the draft plans. Information about the survey reached more than 5,000 people through Council’s social media and promotion in the newspaper, with almost 90 people completing the survey.

    Survey results:

    • 80% said the concept design would suit the age of the children they would take there
    • The equipment rated as the highest priorities was; Flying Fox, Mammoth Nest Swing, Water Play, Climbing Structure and slides
    • Feedback suggested more equipment was needed for toddlers
    • Shade and seats were ranked as the most important landscaping features - the construction plans include 18 tress and 12 seats

    A number of comments also suggested the park needed a barrier or fencing to make the interface with the road safer. The project team have given this issue careful consideration taking into account the budget impact, best practice design and feedback from other Council’s.

    In order to maintain a natural playground, encourage active supervision and be able to afford a range of play equipment, the park edging will be created with wide natural plant beds and hedges as well as seating. Three speed humps on the access roads will also be added as well as formalising parking bays, in order to increase safety and driver visibility.

    Taking this feedback and the budget into consideration the following equipment was installed in the initial construction phase;

    • Mammoth Nest Swing
    • Slides and stepping logs, timber balance beams, timber tepee
    • Twista
    • Wild surfer
    • Swing set
    • Double flying fox

    Council have applied for grant funding to enable construction of the proposed amenities block. A proposed new shelter will also be reviewed as funding becomes available.