Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Toggle search box search Open main navigation menu Menu Close menu

Playground Removal

Services

Playground removal

Russell Street (Shambrook Park)

Removal of Shambrook Park (Russell Street) Playground

Status: COMPLETE

Last update: 10.11.25

We've continued our priority of community safety by engaging an external playground auditor to conduct annual inspections of all of Whyalla’s playground equipment. This extensive audit incorporated the latest compliance standards, which are continually evolving.

As a result of this audit, the playground at Shambrook Park (Russell Street) has been identified for removal, as it no longer meets current-day standards. Council is unfortunately unable to replace this particular playground, as it is not sustainable for Whyalla’s ratepayers to maintain the current high number of playgrounds across the city.

However, the site will retain its shade, seating, grassed area and basketball court; therefore continuing to provide an open space play area for families.

We understand this may cause an inconvenience, but we must emphasise that this is in the best interests of all Whyalla residents’ safety, while being a more effective use of ongoing ratepayer funds.

Residents will still have access to other nearby playgrounds, including the Bradford Street playground, and newly upgraded Civic Park playground. Council has also budgeted significant upgrades to the Civic Park, foreshore (splash and play) and Mitchell Quinn (McGee Street) playgrounds for this year, ensuring there are newer, more engaging facilities available for families across the city.

Removal works will be carried out (weather permitting) over two or three individual days starting: 6 November.

We thank you in advance for your cooperation in adhering to all the restrictions and changed conditions that will be in place during this time. We will endeavour to assist residents where practical / possible to ensure the safety and convenience of all residents, council employees and contractors.

Please do not hesitate to contact our Civil Coordinator Craig Inglis on 8640 3444 or craig.inglis@whyalla.sa.gov.au should you have any questions or concerns during this period or prior to the work commencing.

Why hasn't council 'prioritised community safety' previously, why is this suddenly happening now?

We have staff who maintain the equipment and regularly conduct inspections of playgrounds. While they are capable of identifying and addressing general safety and compliance, we require the expertise of an independent auditor to assess all equipment against ever-changing standards and generate risk assessments based on these standards. These are conducted annually. Over time, equipment that was previously deemed 'low risk' can become higher risk due to age and changes in standards.

Why can't this equipment be replaced?

There are several factors contributing to this:

  • Budget constraints (including purchase, installation, regular maintenance, ongoing replacement, staff to carry out this work)
  • Spare parts for some of the elements can no longer be sourced, meaning they can no longer be safely maintained
  • Maintaining a high number of playgrounds is becoming increasingly difficult and expensive with increasing safety standards, costs and community expectations. One example is mulch for soft fall – standards now require that this is continually replaced to maintain a minimum depth of 300mm. Combined with a cost increase of 50% this year, this alone becomes extremely costly and time-consuming when spread across dozens of playgrounds. There are also continually increasing requirements for fencing, shade, fall from heights, pinch points and many other standards
  • There are still nearly 20 playgrounds evenly spread across Whyalla, which is almost double the Australian standards for a community of our size – nearly everyone in Whyalla is within a 15-minute walk or 5-minute bike / car ride of a playground
  • While we have less playgrounds than we did years ago, those that remain are far safer and enjoyable facilities for families, which we believe is more important than a greater number of lesser-quality playgrounds

This playground was very close and convenient, why do we now have to travel to another playground?

  • The site will retain its existing seating, grassed area and basketball / netball court; therefore continuing to provide an open space play area for families
  • However, we understand the reduction in play equipment may be an inconvenience, so have ensured there are multiple other options within close proximity to minimise the impact on nearby families, including Bradford Street playground, and newly upgraded Civic Park playground
  • You will also soon have access to significantly upgraded playgrounds at the foreshore (splash and play park), Civic Park and Mitchell Quinn Playground (McGee Street), which have been slated for upgrades this year, helping provide safer, more modern facilities for families across the city

What will happen to the site once the playground is removed?

The site will retain its existing seating, grassed area and basketball / netball court; therefore continuing to provide an open space play area for families.