AUG26-09

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Volume 6, Wednesday August 26th, 2009

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Community

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about the kids

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Back-up Parents want better for Roxby parks and playgrounds Council M

inister for M ineral Resources Development Paul Holloway last week announced the appointment of a fourmember expert group to assist in the forward planning of Roxby Downs.

T

By Celeste Lustosa

he residents of Roxby Downs’s residents claim they need better leisure options in town and the parks and playgrounds are the main preference when deciding where to go in your free time. So, does Roxby have quality parks and playgrounds or does the town need to realistically look at upgrades to the current facilities? The options available in town when it comes to parks and playgrounds are the Lions Park, Hermit Street, Pioneer Drive, Curdimurka Street and Pine Crescent - Junior and Senior Playgrounds. Craig Rainsford and Daniel Andrews are 17 and they see the Lions Park as the one option for people their age. “The Lions Park is pretty alright and we mostly hang

there on Saturdays when we have the footy at the Oval,” said Craig. While the youngsters seemed to be happy with the public space available for their weekends, mothers appear to need more options for their children from different ages. “The places I take my children are mostly the area in Curdimurka Street and the Lions Park and I think it would be great to have the playground equipment in Curdimurka upgraded, especially for safety issues,” commented Sally Bryant who is a mother of an almost three year old and a six month old baby. Sally also believes that the Lions Park should be fenced. “The Lions Park has a nice area but that could also be bigger and fenced because we are always worried about the kids going to the street and getting hit by a car. “I think it would be great to

have both playgrounds improved, Curdimurka and Lions Park and also get new equipment for the older kids because the ones they have are for very young children and the mothers struggle to keep the older kids entertained.” Equipment and good playgrounds for the children are not the only concern mothers have when it comes to enjoying our public areas. Karina Scott has an eight year old and is scared to let her child play at the skate area adjacent to the Lions Park. “I mainly use the Curdimurka playground because I like that area and we don’t let our child play at the Lions Park anymore because we have the presence of teenagers intimidating the young children, even with the parents around. “The facilities at the Lions Park are very good, with the barbecue area and toilets but we don’t feel

safe there. “I think we definitely need the toilet facilities and maybe a water fountain at Curdimurka and in every park and playground area we have. My family doesn’t live next to the park and whenever we need to use the toilet we have to go home,” Karina added. The main message mothers sent about the public facilities is that it is not all about the equipment on the playground that matters, but also to ensure that kids are going to be safe while playing and that can be done by fencing the parks, providing new equipment that works properly and making sure people from all ages can share the spaces available without any confrontation. They claim the parks and playgrounds are for everyone’s enjoyment!

Mr Holloway says the Roxby Downs Advisory Reference Group will provide oversight, support and direction to the Roxby Downs Council and it’s administrator in his day-to-day operations. Council’s Administrator, Mr. Bill Boehm told the Monitor, “I am pleased that the Minister has publically acknowledged the appointment of the Advisory Reference Group, which has been in operation for some six months or so, and the adoption of a new oversight and advisory role for the township. “As indicated by the recently released Olympic Dam Draft EIS the strategic planning and development issues facing the town and the effects on the operations of the Council and the community are significant.  This group brings vast experience in the legal, finance and governance areas.” Mr. Boehm said,  “This will be invaluable and will greatly assist Council, especially given the current limited resource base at our disposal.” Bill Cossey AM, a private consultant with longterm government executive management experience, chairs the Advisory Reference Group. The remainder of the group comprises Olympic Dam Task Force chief executive Paul Case, PIRSA deputy chief executive Paul Heithersay and Wallman Lawyers partner Michael Kelledy. The four-member group travelled to Roxby Downs last Thursday to meet with Mr Boehm as part of the adoption of the new oversight and advisory role for the township.

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AUG26-09 by The Monitor Inc - Issuu