Labor member for Yerrabi Suzanne Orr has been campaigning for better play and green space in the town centre since 2017. Photo: George Tsotsos.
A new playground and more green space are set to revitalise the heart of Gungahlin, as the ACT Government allocates $1 million to new play space in Gungahlin Place.
The project, which is expected to be completed by the end of the year, will deliver playground and landscaping improvements on the central median between Efkarpidis Street and Hibberson Street in the Gungahlin Town Centre.
The new playground has been designed for children of all ages to complement the existing playground and will include a range of play equipment including a birds nest swing, stepping stones, stepping stumps, walking planks, drum kit, talking tubes and totem poles.
The playground will be resurfaced with rubber soft fall and surrounded by trees and garden beds contained by a fence adjacent to the existing road. The works will also include new turf and a new bike rack shelter installed on site.
The ACT Government’s design for the new playground. Image: Supplied.
Labor member for Yerrabi Suzanne Orr has been campaigning for better play and green space in the town centre since 2017 and she believes the play space will improve the overall amenity of the Gungahlin Town Centre.
“These improvement works will help create a great place for children and adults to play and rest right in the heart of the Gungahlin Town Centre,” Ms Orr said.
“I think it is fair to say that there has been a wish from the community to see this particular area invested in.
“This area is pretty much all concrete and a few trees so to see the addition of grass and more trees and some nature play opportunities as well would be welcomed by the community. It will be quite different to what we have had previously.
“This will really revitalise this area and it will bring a bigger focus to this part of the town centre. This project will make this area a focal point where we will see people come here to meet friends and sit out here in the sun after doing grocery shopping.”
The existing playground will be closed during the works. Photo: George Tsotsos.
The ACT Government has allocated $1 million to the project while the Gungahlin Rotary Club has made a $12,000 investment, a move which highlights how valued the new play space will be to the Gungahlin community.
“This project has a strong focus on community, and as part of this, we have been working with the Gungahlin Rotary Club, who have donated $12,000 for the birds nest swing and a refurbished bench adjacent to the swing,” Ms Orr said.
“I think the donation from Gungahlin Rotary Club really shows how Gungahlin Place is really valued by the community and they want it to be the best it can be.
“It is great to see this community interest in the project and we know this will be a much used and loved local playground when completed.”
The existing playground will be closed during the works, with the playground expected to reopen by late 2019.
