Council

'Bringing joy: adventure playground up and running

'Bringing joy: unique new adventure playground up and running in the hinterland

A new nature-based playground, designed for kids to be adventurous, has opened in a fast-growing area.

The Hinterland Adventure Playground, on Marara St at Cooroy, has been officially opened by Noosa Mayor Clare Stewart.

Mayor Stewart said the complex boasted a variety of activities for everyone.

“The vision of creating a nature-based space where children can experience adventure play has been realised in this fantastic playground, which will bring entertainment and joy to our community and visitors to our region for decades to come," she said.

“Whether you want to climb the Rocketship to the big slide, throw a frisbee or kick a ball on the open oval, get wet in the splash pond or challenge your balance on the fallen logs, or chill out in the quiet retreat space, there is an activity for everyone."

The playground offers all abilities play and fully accessible amenities including a Changing Places room with height-adjustable adult-sized change table, a constant-charging ceiling track hoist system, a centrally-located peninsula toilet and an automatic door and privacy screen.

“It was important to design this playground with the entire community in mind," Mayor Stewart said.

"The inclusive flying fox and inclusive swing play equipment provide movement and social interaction for users of all abilities and are key features of the playground."

The playground has been labelled an important recreation destination, which will meet the needs of the growing hinterland area, while also supporting ongoing growth for the region.

“Detailed economic and financial analysis of the playground undertaken in February 2019 by AEC Group Pty Ltd estimates over 85,000 visitors to the playground each year with an additional $344,000 injection directly into the Cooroy economy in food, beverages and retail spend,” Mayor Stewart said.

“In addition, visitor spend from non-locals visiting the Council area because of the existence of the playground is estimated to range from $87 for day trippers to $163 per person for a domestic overnight visitor, which represents a win across the entire shire.”

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In addition to the playground construction, Noosa Council has also completed 34 new carparks, 22 overflow carparks, a new raised pedestrian crossing, additional disabled carparks as well as pathways to provide connectivity to the playground and the township of Cooroy.

The playground, pathway connections and carparks represented an investment of $6.7 million in the community, including $2.788 million from the Queensland Government as part of the Local Government Grants and Subsidies Program.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Local Government, Steven Miles, said the playground would make a positive impact on the Noosa community.

“The Hinterland Adventure Playground has supported 45 jobs, which is great for local tradies and local families,” he said.