Community selects six elements for new play structure at Jubilee Park, Avenel

A new play space in Avenel’s Jubilee Park will feature six elements selected by the community following an extensive engagement process.

e play structure will make up part of the new equipment which also includes swings, including an all-abilities swing, net swing, ying fox and two new play structures made up of many di erent elements.

Strathbogie Shire Council Mayor Cr Laura Binks said it was fantastic to hear from so many members of the Avenel community, particularly children, during the voting process.

“We attended the Avenel Market in February where we had an incredible response to our survey,” Cr Binks said.

“Many of the people who participated in the survey were a combination of parents and children who were actually playing in the play space on the day, so it was great to tap into these key users.”

Cr Binks said Council also visited the Avenel

Flood recovery and support a focus in Parliament

Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland has raised flood recovery and support in her first parliamentary speaking opportunity since delivery her maiden speech.

Speaking from Parliament, Ms Cleeland thanked the Seymour Football Netball Club for their work coordinating volunteers in the a ermath of the October oods.

“I rise today, on behalf of the Seymour community, to record our heartfelt gratitude to the Seymour Football Netball Club for their sel ess work spearheading the town’s immediate ood clean-up,” Ms Cleeland said.

“ is was led by President Gerard O’Sullivan, and his family Sandra and Lyndel, who epitomise community spirit.

“Our community is indebted to them for their tireless work coordinating hundreds of volunteers, who cared for locals while oodwaters were still receding.

“Many businesses and individuals deserve a wholehearted ‘thank you’ for volunteering day a er day to get the community back on its feet.”

Ms Cleeland proceeded to list and acknowledge a range of

Kindergarten and Avenel Primary School to conduct engagement sessions with students.

“ e kindergarten children showed us their favourite elements by placing stickers on a sheet of paper displaying the options for each element,” she said.

“While the primary school students made the most of the opportunity to conduct a technology lesson with students scanning a QR code to take them to Council’s online survey at Share Strathbogie.” ese items are: Galvanised Steel Play Unit, Combination Unit/Play Structure, Freestanding Slide, four Spring Rocker Horses and both sets of double swings. e play space is also being enhanced thanks to the Avenel Jubilee Park committee and Avenel Active Inc. who were successful in securing a $50,000 government grant for shade sails to be installed over the area. local businesses and organisations before raising concerns around the management of ood recovery grants.

Cr Binks said the online survey received almost 300 responses and the results showed clear winners for each element.

“Our community selected the Stepper Bridge, Fixed Hanging Rings, Scaling Wall, Wave Bridge, 1500 Fibreglass Slide and the Inclined Net Bridge which will be included into the nal design,” she said.

Cr Binks reminded the community that there would also be six items removed from the current play space due to the fact they no longer meet safety regulations.

Pictured: Avenel Play Space Voting_Avenel Market. jpg – Council sta attended the Avenel Market to gather feedback on the play space.

“Frustratingly, many businesses have struggled to access emergency support,” Ms Cleeland said.

“I’ve spoken to so many businesses across the Seymour, Murchison and Heathcote regions that were at risk of closure as ood payments stalled.”

Ms Cleeland contacted the Minister for Small Business on January 12 seeking support to expedite grants for struggling local businesses.