Gunnedah Shire Council resolved to approve the design for the proposed Livvi’s Place Inclusive Playground at last week’s Extraordinary Council Meeting.

The concept plan was developed by Kathryn Yigman of Stewart Surveys, following extensive consultation with the community and the Inclusive Playground Working Group.

Local mum Ashley Bender began the campaign for the playground by presenting a 300-plus signature petition to Council to consider the concept.

Council also moved to enter into partnership with the Touched By Olivia Foundation, whose purpose is to create inclusive play spaces to give every Australian the right to play, side by side, without discrimination or prejudice and to facilitate social and community inclusion for people with a disability as well as their families and carers.

“Play is the best way for people to connect. Touched by Olivia is thrilled that both the Council and community have agreed to create a place in the middle of town where everyone is welcome and included,” Touched by Olivia Foundation CEO Bec Ho said.

Council will now be seeking grant funding from the Stronger Country Communities Program to add to allocated funds for the Wolseley Park project.

“This project reaffirms Council’s commitment to inclusion in the Shire, following the recent adoption of the Disability Inclusion Action Plan and the reformation of the Access Working Group,” Director of Environment and Planning Services Andrew Johns said.

Council’s Community and Social Planner Debra Hilton said Touched by Olivia had created a Facebook Group to enable the community to keep up-to-date with the project – “Friends of Livvi’s Place Gunnedah”.

“We need to demonstrate to those that are assessing our grant application that this project is much-loved and needed in the community” Ms Hilton said.

“We encourage anyone interested in this project to ‘join’ this page to show their support for the project.
“This playground will be a fantastic and imaginative play space for children of all abilities, and will provide extensive recreational, social and community benefits.”

PHOTO: Gunnedah Shire Council Director of Planning and Environmental Services Andrew Johns and Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey with the concept plan for ‘Livvi’s Place Gunnedah’.

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Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.