Liberty Swing to be removed from Adventure Playground plans after vote

The recommendation for the removal of the swing was part of a broader report from director of Engineering Services, Darren Sturgiss, about inclusive play in Bathurst.

Only councillor Ian North spoke on the report, saying it was “a good way to go” in promoting inclusivity at playgrounds in Bathurst. 

However, he said the idea of a Liberty Swing shouldn’t be dismissed totally. 

“I don’t have a child with a disability, but when you talk to people [who do] and they are very passionate in certain ways – I think our policy is very good, but I don’t think we should totally rule it out in the future,” he said. 

“It should be something that we should look at down the track if we find that parents say what we put in there is great, but [the Liberty Swing] is something we should consider.”

Speaking to the Western Advocate after the meeting, Bathurst Regional Access Committee chairman Bob Triming said he agreed with the report, including not installing the swing.  

He said that the design of the Liberty Swing means that people in wheelchairs can’t operate it without assistance, and the person assisting them may find the equipment difficult to use correctly as there are a lot of steps involved. 

There has also been concerns raised both in the report and by Mr Triming that the swing could be dangerous, even with the appropriate fencing.

Similar to what was highlighted in Mr Sturgiss’ report, Mr Triming said there is other equipment on the market that would be better and safer for people in wheelchairs. 

“There is all-inclusive swings that a wheelchair can just roll onto, you don’t need assistance,” he said. “If we can provide a swing where you can just roll on and off, that would be much better.” 

He added that the Adventure Playground could be further improved, under stage two works, by adding sensory experiences for everyone.

Graeme and Linda Gillbanks, the couple that pushed for and successfully obtained a Liberty Swing for Bathurst from Variety, are disappointed and angry about the decision not to install it. 

They maintain that the swing is no more dangerous than other equipment in the park and don’t feel that having the swing would exclude people, as was suggested.

At this stage, they feel further discussion with council would not be effective.

“I think that if they go ahead with taking it out of the stage two works that we will have to walk away and say ‘Sorry, Bathurst, we tried’,” Mrs Gillbanks said.