Moyne Shire Council will pause removal of the playground at Macarthur’s Market Square pending future funding announcements.

Stage one works to revitalise the precinct are anticipated to begin next week and it was planned to remove the playground.

A new play space and multi-use court will be installed in a different area of the reserve in further stages.

All works being carried out are part of the Precinct Plan developed with the community in 2019.

Council has grant funding applications currently under consideration and is very confident of success.

That money would then fund a new play space, as well as other works considered as stage two.

Mayor Cr Ian Smith said Council understood the concerns community members had raised and had listened to the feedback.

“We have altered the works plan and the removal of the playground will be paused for the time being,” he said.

“This is an exciting project for Macarthur and will represent one of the biggest capital works spends in the town in recent memory and will create a vibrant community space.”

The paused removal comes after there was significant levels of community concern from Macarthur residents.

Updates about the planned works were shared into a local Facebook page which prompted residents to inquire into the level of community consultation or engagement that occurred in the planning stages.

A key concern of the community was the demolition of the current fencing around the playground while the existing BBQ facilities remained and the lack of concrete plans to have fencing around the future playground, as the playground is located along a busy road that is frequented daily by large machinery and trucks.  

One page member commented how the heavy transports that drive through Macarthur would have little chance of stopping safely to avoid a running child and that common sense must prevail on this project.

An additional concern was the timeline of the demolition and impending upgrade proposed to be completed within the next two to five years when warmer weather and summer holidays are approaching.

Another page member commenting how important the playground space is for socialising in the warmer months after being inside over winter.

The response of Macarthur residents in the delay of the demolition was that of relief when the Shire listened to their concerns.

Despite the initial reaction, the Shire remains enthusiastic over the project.

“The new space will significantly improve access and use of recreation and play activities for more ages and for all abilities, something that the current precinct does not provide,” Cr Ian Smith said.

“This project is one of a range of major capital works programs Council and our contractors are completing across the Shire this construction season. We have tight timelines to meet and are relying on the availability of contractors and our own teams.”

The removal of the playground was paused pending further updates from Moyne Shire.