NSW Government releases inclusive play guidelines and announces grant recipients

The NSW Government recently released its Everyone Can Play Guideline - a new guideline and supporting website aimed at making play spaces across NSW more inclusive to ensure everyone, no matter their age or ability, can play.

$20 million has been committed by the state government over the next five years to help councils create great inclusive play spaces across NSW.

The first round of funding closed in December 2018 with 30 successful councils across the State chosen to share in $4 million of matched funding to deliver 34 projects for local communities to upgrade their existing local playspaces to make them more inclusive or create new inclusive playspaces.

Minister for Planning and Housing, Anthony Roberts, said the Everyone Can Play Guideline  will help councils and designers create world-class play spaces that are inclusive for all people, regardless of age and ability.

“Our Everyone Can Play program ensures that playspaces are better – and more inclusive – than ever before. Everyone Can Play is a best practice toolkit for councils, community leaders, landscape architects – even passionate local residents – to use when creating world-class playspaces designed to include everyone in the community.

“The community playspace has always been loved in Australian culture. Many of us look back on our childhood with fond memories of playing on slides and swings with friends and family. It is a place where communities come together, interact, and enjoy the outdoors. It is only natural when kids grow up, they want future generations to share these experiences.

“Play is such an important part of a child’s development. It shapes the way they interact with the world around them, enables them to learn new skills, make new friends and build self-confidence.

Commissioner of Open Space and Parklands, Fiona Morrison, said the guideline was created in collaboration with experts, architects, councils and families and would serve as a best practice reference guide to designing and creating play spaces that are inclusive of everyone in the community.

“With 1.3 million people in NSW living with a disability, an ageing population who is increasingly involved in the everyday care of grandchildren, and a multi-cultural society, play spaces should provide an inclusive experience for all,” Morrison said.

“Everyone Can Play gives everyone – no matter how young or old, no matter their ages, abilities and cultural backgrounds – fair and equal access to play.

“We’re also supporting the Everyone Can Play program with the launch of a new website that contains case studies, experiences from people who’ve benefited, up-to-date news on our work, a copy of the guide and resources for experts,” she said.

For more information and to view the website, visit www.everyonecanplay.nsw.gov.au

Grant Recipients

Albury City Council
Bathurst Regional Council
Bayside Council
Blue Mountains City Council
Campbelltown City Council
Central Coast Council
Cessnock City Council
Clarence Valley Council
Coffs Harbour City Council
Cumberland Council
Dubbo Regional Council
Dungog Shire Council
Eurobodalla Shire Council
Fairfield City Council
Gwydir Shire Council
Hay Shire Council
Hunters Hill Council
Lachlan Shire Council
Lockhart Shire Council
Maitland City Council
Mid-Coast Council
Nambucca Shire Council
Newcastle City Council
North Sydney Council
Penrith City Council
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council
Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council
Shoalhaven City Council
Tweed Shire Council
Woollahra Municipal Council