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City of Wollongong

From the Lord Mayor's Office

Here’s to more outdoor playdates

Saturday 14 December 2024

Image: Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown and Wollongong City Council's Parks + Open Space Project Officer Mae Gibbeson in Charcoal Park, Unanderra.

Secret's out – my inner child couldn’t be contained when I saw the new play space at Unanderra.

The new Nature Play at Charcoal Park is a terrific addition and will be a hit this summer!

As my childhood suburb, this local park on Factory Road is special to me, as it is to many locals. One of our local treasures, Val Kirkwood is remembered with a tribute plaque, which use to live on a park bench, now installed on a tree trunk.

And the magnificent tree trunks around the site come from the Mt Ousley Interchange project, getting a second life as a form of adventure play for local families.

I’m excited by its transformation and the positive impact it will have on our community.

It was great to meet a few of the Council staff that helped on this project – Mae, James and Riley – and hear from them their pride in this park.

They are a testament to Council’s commitment to creating fun, safe and accessible public spaces.

I’m also reminded that playgrounds will never go out of style.

For our residents, it represents community connection and nurtures fond memories. It exercises kid’s curiosity and creativity.

That’s why we value our resident’s voices when it comes to play spaces.

The Play Wollongong Strategy 2014-2024, will soon  be reviewed and we  welcome our community’s feedback for this review.

State and Federal funding will also play a key role, which we’re always grateful to receive. This year, their support help deliver the Nature Play spaces, Unanderra Playground, Stanwell Park Playground, Coreen Avenue Playground and more.

Together, we can make sure there’ll be more outdoor playdates for all that call Wollongong home.


Lord Mayor Councillor Tania Brown

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