Swing set with no swings

By Monique Ebrington
THE Yarra Square Playspace Project in Warburton has had more than $30,000 spent on it.
But more than a year on, there is nothing in Yarra Square Playspace for children to play on.
The aim, Warburton Advancement League (WAL) says, was to create an up-to-date playground.
Before the project started the playspace, positioned between the Warburton Highway and Thomas Avenue, had a slide, swings, climbing equipment and grassed areas for children and parents to sit.
Yarra Square Playspace now has a concrete path, a wooden swing structure currently with no swings, a new toilet block and the intent of completing a climbing sculpture early next year.
Warburton resident and father of two Judd Zekas said that he and other parents in the community were disappointed that the conveniently located play equipment was taken away and not replaced.
Mr Zekas said that he didn’t mind waiting for new play equipment for his daughters Carla, 6 and Kiara, 4, but the current facilities were unacceptable.
“This was the most utilised park in Warburton, with all the businesses and services nearby,” he said. “I have no problem with change but it has to be a change for the better. So many people I’ve spoken to agree that it has to be as good as it was before — and it’s not.”
Shire of Yarra Ranges Manager of Community Relations James Martin said the shire had supported the community project by allocating more than $15,000 towards it.
The Yarra Square Playspace was always intended to be built in stages with the instillation of the climbing structure, created in consultation with local primary schools, scheduled to commence early next year, Mr Martin said. “You’re not going to get everything overnight. A staged development is also subject to sourcing other funding,” Mr Martin said.
The WAL agreed to partner with the Yarra Ranges Shire in the Yarra Square Playspace Project with the aim of improvement to the playspace.
Together they helped to secure a $13,000 grant from the Bendigo Bank to go towards the playspace.
WAL secretary Sue Slusarek said that among other things she was disappointed at the project’s rate of progress.
“A playground without equipment is a disgrace. It is beyond belief how long the project is taking,” Mrs Slusarek said.
Mr Martin however said the stages were on schedule but added the shire had limited funds that it could direct towards the project.
The public should be patient, he said as construction of the playground was subject to receiving external grant funding.
“This is something that people have to be somewhat patient and realistic about in their expectations,” Mr Martin said.
Mr Martin said swings, which were only temporarily removed, would be back in place in the next two weeks after modifications had been made as to how they were fixed to the frame.