New park will have kids floating in Ayr

Families in Ayr will soon have a state-of-the-art nature based play area at Plantation Park with all-abilities swings, a fortress-themed lookout, and rock and rope climbs made possible with $1.5 million from the 2018-19 State Budget.

Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the project being delivered by the Burdekin Shire Council would benefit the community for years to come.
 
“The Government made a commitment to the Council and to the people of Ayr during the election that we would help to make this wonderful project a reality,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
 
“This will be a place for children of all abilities to enjoy as well as be challenged and encouraged to develop their fine motor skills.
 
“The park will further enhance the liveability and reputation of this beautiful part of Queensland and I’ve no doubt that word will spread and children and families will come from far and wide to gather and play here.
 
“In fact, the project will have a positive impact on local families even before it is completed, with Council advising it will support 10 jobs during construction, giving the local economy a boost.”
 
The Burdekin Shire Council has also allocated $200,000 from the State Government’s 2017-19 Works for Queensland program towards the project.

When it’s completed, the play area will incorporate features such as:

• accessible fortress themed lookout
• all-abilities swings
• sand and water features
• rock and rope climbs
• fossil digs and tree plantings with varieties that are climbable in maturity

Individual elements will be linked by a network of accessible pathways and bridges.
 
Burdekin Shire Mayor Lyn McLaughlin welcomed the additional funding from the State Budget.
 
“We were thrilled when the Government committed an additional $1.5 million to help us deliver this important project for the people of the Burdekin,” he said.

“This project is in keeping with the natural bush setting at Plantation Park and will be unique for North Queensland.
 
“The nature play area will have an enormous impact and will likely become a central place for families and the community to gather and connect.”
 
Media contact: Martin Philip 0427 919 548