Making the lake safe: Deputy Mayor Mark Greenhill, Labor Ward 2 candidate Romola Hollywood, and LAKE spokesperson Naumi Hogan chat to a young user of the Wentworth Falls Lakes area.
An Upper Mountains lobby group has called for support to address safety concerns around Wentworth Falls Lake.
Naumi Hogan from the Local Accessible Kid-Safe Enriching (LAKE) Action Group met with Labor candidate for Ward 2 Romola Hollywood and Deputy Mayor Mark Greenhill to discuss members’ priorities for the area, including creating a safe high-quality play area for toddlers and pre-school children to address safety concerns about the proximity of the pirate ship to the road and the water.
LAKE also wants to to update play areas and equipment for five to 12-year-olds, make the area near the weir and bridge safer for young children, and investigate a loop boardwalk around the lake.
“I’m excited to be working with a group of mothers with young children who want to make the lake’s play equipment more accessible for young children and their families,” Naumi said.
“Grandparents and parents of children with a disability have told me, if you have limited mobility and more than one child, it can be difficult to ensure toddlers at the pirate ship don’t take off and head for the road or lake.”
“The LAKE Action Group’s is seeking support to upgrade the playground equipment and address the safety concerns at the lake and we look forward to hearing from Council about potential options.” Naumi Hogan said.
Blue Mountains City Council (BMCC) undertook community consultations in 2010 as part of the proposed upgrade of the landscaping and improving some of the amenities at Wentworth Falls Lake.
Ms Hollywood said the initial remediation to address erosion, including a new circuit of paths, new stairs from the weir to the lake’s edge on the southern end was now almost complete.
“It is important that we continue to build on the great work that is already been undertaken to improve the recreational areas at the lake,” she said.
Ms Hollywood has asked Deputy Mayor Mark Greenhill for an update from the council on options for future work highlighted in the 2010 community consultations and by the LAKE Action Group.
“Families with young children have been telling me that it would be great to have more challenging and modern playgrounds for our children,” she said.
“If elected, I look forward to building on the work undertaken by [retiring Ward 2 councillor] Adam Searle to replace the pirate ship when it was tragically burnt down and ensuring that all playground equipment is now fully insured across the Mountains.
“We know how important it is to encourage children to play outdoors. Contemporary well-designed playgrounds can provide children and their families with hours of physical activity and fun.”
Clr Greenhill said he would support LAKE’s work and lodge a notice of motion seeking to make the area safer and seek renewal of other play equipment.
“Romola has a passion for parks and for making them safe places for children to play,” he said.
“I am happy to support her and to salute the fine work Naumi has been doing with her advocacy on behalf of kids across the Mountains.
“It is a privilege to be able to offer some support to these women. Both are exceptional community activists.”