Liberty Swing gifted to Bathurst recommended not to be installed

Linda and Graeme Gillbanks spent years campaigning for a Liberty Swing, which is designed for use by people with disabilities, and successfully swayed the charity Variety to gift one to Bathurst. 

Installation of the Liberty Swing was considered by Bathurst Regional Council in a proposal for stage two works at the Adventure Playground, however, council declined the submitted tenders due to insufficient budget and as a result the swing hasn’t been installed. 

Now, a report to council’s policy committee meeting on Wednesday recommends the swing never be installed. 

Instead, director of Engineering Services Darren Sturgiss said it should be replaced with “play structures that provide inclusive play for all members of the community”, in keeping with new inclusive play guidelines. 

“The fundamental direction for playground facility design into the future is to ensure that all playspace facilities have the ability to be inclusive and usable regardless of the user’s age or ability,” Mr Sturgiss said in the report. 

“Best practice in design and installation of equipment with a playground should consist of play equipment and associated park features that promote inclusive play and involvement for all people and does not separate, isolate or exclude certain members of the community.”

Later in the report, he said the Liberty Swing was not part of the original design for stage two of the Adventure Playground, but was added at the request of a community member. 

At the time, playground design principles were not under the review that is currently being implemented.

“[The Liberty Swing] sends the wrong message that people with disabilities require separate pieces of equipment to be used on their own, away from and separated from their peers,” Mr Sturgiss said.

He added that the swing can be dangerous, which is why it needs to be enclosed by a fence, and that the swing can’t be self-operated.

“In respect to the investment of installing this piece of equipment, it is believed that there are many other playground equipment options that are available in the marketplace that would enable far more use by people of varying abilities,” he said.

Mrs Gillbanks, who last met with council in June, was unhappy that the swing was unlikely to be used.

“I feel a bit cheated, a bit disappointed; it’s a bit of a slap in the face for Variety,” she said. 

She agreed with council on the need for inclusive play, but said the swing was just one piece of equipment, and it would be greatly appreciated by some families. 

She said it could be used by people who weren’t in wheelchairs and that it was no more dangerous than other equipment, such as the flying fox, already in the park.

“While I understand the objectives of this, I don’t think they have to make this such an exclusive piece of equipment,” Mrs Gillbanks said. 

She hoped councillors would consider the value of the swing before making their final decision on Wednesday night.