Wollondilly Council moves forward with two aquatic playgrounds

Wollondilly Shire Council has advised that it's plan to develop aquatic play areas at The Oaks and Thirlmere have been boosted by $840,000 from the NSW Government's Resources for Regions program.

A facility at Barrallier Park, The Oaks will receive $770,000 for design and construction, while the remaining $70,000 will go to the design of a facility at Memorial Park, Thirlmere.

Acknowledging the Department of Regional NSW for making the funding available, Wollondilly Shire Council Chief Executive, Ben Taylor told the Wollondilly Advertiser, "there has been a lot of community interest in the idea of water play options in the Wollondilly shire, so it is great to be able to move ahead to deliver these facilities," he said.

"As well as giving families a way to cool off in the hot summer months, the water play facilities will provide an opportunity for locals to reconnect after the recent COVID-19 lockdown.”

The Council will look create the facilities with the following key principles in mind, based on feedback from the community: accessibility and inclusivity; free entry; education and interactivity; ability to be utilised year round; built with primarily natural materials; located to support economic development opportunities.

Community consultation revealed many Wollondilly residents left the shire to utilise water play facilities, with the majority heading to Curry Reserve at Elderslie to splash about.

The Council chose Barrallier and Memorial parks from a shortlist which also included Emmett Park at Tahmoor, Picton Leisure Centre, Warragamba Pool, Redbank Reserve at Picton Botanic Gardens, Harold Noakes Reserve at The Oaks, Bargo Showground and Bargo Community Park.

Wollondilly Shire is located on the outer south-western fringe of Sydney.

Image shows aquatic play concepts from Waterplay.