The following residents of the ACT draw to the attention of the Assembly the need for a substantial increase in the number of fully fenced play spaces.
Fully fenced play spaces are a simple and relatively inexpensive way of increasing the accessibility and inclusivity of play spaces.
People who benefit from fully fenced play spaces
include
• a parent or carer with more than one child under
five or a child with a disability, e.g. an autism
spectrum disorder,
• pregnant women with young children,
• older people caring for young children,
• parents or carers who have a disability or
health issue that restricts their movement, and
• day care groups for people with dementia.
ACT Government Play Spaces Policy commits to “providing accessible, diverse, stimulating and manageable play spaces which foster healthy social, physical and mental child development.”
Canberra provides 1 fully fenced play space for every 130,000 residents with 60 play spaces partly fenced for hazards within 20m.
Queanbeyan has 6 fully fenced play spaces providing one for every 7,000 residents which is outstanding nationally.
Adelaide provides 90 fully fenced play spaces providing one for every 13,000 residents.
Your petitioners, therefore, request the Assembly to:
1. Within 6 months, finalise a 3 year plan for at least 30 fully fenced play spaces (one per 13,000 residents). This plan must have guaranteed recurrent annual
funding.
2. Provide an app or website for locating fully fenced play spaces.