New Bibra Lake playground gets instant recognition

Opened in November, City of Cockburn’s new Bibra Lake Regional Playground has received almost instant acclaim with the play space named winner of the National Growth Areas Alliance’s (NGAA) Building Connections category at the 2016 Congress Awards.

Announced before Christmas, the award recognises the new $3.4 million play area for its contribution to an outer growth area and its role in connecting the cultural, historical and environmental significance of the area.

The 7,000 metre² playground was acknowledged for creating “a public space and community facilities that build community connections, encourages interaction and break down common barriers to participation such as accessibility and socio-economic status”.

Local wildlife inspired many design features in the playground and includes oblong turtles, dragonflies, butterflies, water-squirting bulrushes, native plants and footprints connect children to the natural aspects of the surrounding lake and bush.

Bibra Lake is a significant site to Nyungar people as a source for food and water and a number of unique play features will connect children of all backgrounds to local Aboriginal culture, history and mythology. Giant 'talking' rocks placed in a Yarning Circle will share local stories and features of the lake important to Nyungar people for centuries.

The playground is also fully accessible to parents and children of all abilities. In a first for Western Australian, gates with special latches have been designed to allow people with wheelchairs to gain access into the playground. Wheelchair accessible double barbecues with retro-fitted custom designed ignition buttons are another feature of the playground as well as the City's first Changing Places facility. A $100,000 grant for the Changing Places facility was received from the Disability Services Commission and administered by the WA Local Government Association.

City of Cockburn Mayor Logan Howlett said there was a growing need to provide the community with accessible, culturally reflective and challenging play spaces, stating “this incredible public space builds community connections, encourages interaction and breaks down common barriers to participation such as accessibility and socio-economic status."

NGAA is an alliance of 24 of Australia's fastest growing municipalities, including the City of Cockburn. The NGAA's primary goal is to ensure that communities in outer urban growth areas to have equitable access to jobs and services.

The new Bibra Lake Regional Playground is located on Progress Drive, Bibra Lake.

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