New softfall surface for Town Park is latest safety upgrade in Goondiwindi Region

The installation of new softfall surfacing at the Goondiwindi Town Park is the latest in a suite of safety upgrades in parks across the Goondiwindi Region.

Goondiwindi Regional Council will replace more than 500m2 of existing bark with new rubber softfall under and around the park’s play equipment.

Council allocated $96,000 from the State Government’s 2020-2021 COVID Works For Queensland (W4Q) funding towards the project.

The new work will complement a range of recent safety upgrades across the region’s parks, including similar new softfall at the Texas All Abilities Park, new bollards at several Goondiwindi parks, and new fencing at the Sandhurst Street Park that provides a safe enclosed area for families to enjoy.

Councillor Lachlan Brennan holds Council’s portfolio for parks and gardens and said that safety upgrades had been one of Council’s priorities for the latest round of W4Q funding.

“I’m really pleased to see yet another project to improve the safety of our parks and playgrounds,” Cr Brennan said. “This project in particular will mean a much more modern surface underneath the play equipment than what was previously installed, and that means safer play for residents and visitors alike.”

In addition to the play area, you can also find public toilets, picnic tables, shade, and barbeque facilities at the Town Park. The park is right next door to the Goondiwindi Memorial Swimming Pool and is also home to several popular events such as regular community markets, the Hell of the West triathlon and the Goondiwindi ANZAC memorial ceremony.

Cr Brennan said he was proud of the suite of upgrades Council had achieved at parks across the region in the past twelve months.

“This year, Council has committed $2 million of its budget and much more in external funds to maintain and upgrade the 25 public parks and gardens across the region,” Cr Brennan said. “I’m really impressed with what’s been achieved – we’ve had a very successful twelve months and a full-on capital works schedule that’s included everything from new rest area picnic facilities to public toilet refurbishments.

“Council prides itself on maintaining these facilities to the highest standard, and I think this is why Goondiwindi Region’s parks and gardens are so valued by both residents and visitors,” he said.

The work is now under way and is expected to take 2-3 weeks to complete. Council has engaged a local contractor to complete the earthworks for the project and a specialist firm will assist with installing the new material.