11 September 2019

Rejuvenated Gungahlin playground opens

| Lachlan Roberts
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Gungahlin playground

Ollie showing Minister for City Services Chris Steel and Members for Yerrabi Suzanne Orr, Michael Pettersson and Deepak-Raj Gupta around the new playground in Gungahlin. Photos: Lachlan Roberts.

The ACT Government hopes a bird’s nest swing, stepping stumps, new trees, totem poles and a drum kit will help rejuvenate the previous drab concrete jungle of the Gungahlin Town Centre and become a focal point for the growing region.

The newest addition to Canberra’s 500 playgrounds has been built on the central median on Gungahlin Place between Efkarpidis Street and Hibberson Street, with the government spending $785,000 on the new playspace.

Minister for City Services Chris Steel said the new playground equipment, as well as landscaping improvements like rubber soft fall surfacing, trees, garden beds and street furniture, was designed to complement the existing playground and appeal to a younger age group.

“The new playground will help improve the look of Gungahlin Place and make it a more friendly environment for children and families,” Mr Steel said. “It will provide new play experiences for local children and those coming down to Gungahlin Place with their families to shop in the Town Centre.

“We know the benefits when playgrounds are located next to shops and businesses, and with easy access to the bus interchange and light rail, we are confident this new play space will be well used by families.

“Playgrounds are a focal point of the community and it’s great to see the community come together to support the project which will be enjoyed by Gungahlin families for years to come.”

The Gungahlin Rotary Club donated $12,000 for the bird’s nest swing and a refurbished bench adjacent to the swing.

Mr Steel said the new playspace will improve the overall amenity of the Gungahlin Town Centre and was an example of the need to continually evolve town centres as they grow.

“When I have toured Gungahlin with Labor Member for Yerrabi Michael Pettersson, Michael pointed out this area has quite a lot of concrete in it,” Mr Steel said. “Gungahlin is a relatively new suburb but the town centre itself is one of the oldest parts.

“So it is nice that as a part of this project that we have been able to add more plants, trees and patches of grass in Gungahlin Place,” Mr Steel said.

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