Playground will have ‘wow’ factor

A giant crab-shaped structure will take pride of place at the new Ridley Place Foreshore playground.

The innovative nature play area should be ready for kids to explore by Australia Day, following the selection of the successful tender for the project.

Harvey Shire Council chose the successful bid from a pool of eight applicants to build an original nature-play area as part of stages 3 and 4 of the Ridley Place Foreshore Master Plan.

The council endorsed the footprint of those stages in June, paving the way for the tender process to begin.

The new playground design will combine innovative nature-based play elements with the latest conventional play equipment.

Harvey shire chief executive officer Annie Riordan said the company with the winning bid stood out.

“The preferred tenderers’ play-space elements and layout had a point of difference,” Ms Riordan said.

“The submission provided an original, creative, exciting, well-designed play area which best complied with the tender specification.”

The playground is set to include a flying fox and accessible play components to allow play opportunities for children with physical or mental disabilities.

Ms Riordan said the expertise of the design team, as well as the inclusion of Aboriginal heritage and accessible play equipment were also looked on favourably in the selection process.

Shire executive manager of technical services Rick Lotznicker said staff had undertaken a comprehensive assessment of the eight applications.

The timeline of the construction and the creation of a play feature were two major factors in the assessment process.

“The successful tender provided a point of difference and a real wow factor,” Mr Lotznicker said.

“We think kids would really love to play in there.”

The design will take advantage of the naturally sloping landscape and trees at the foreshore and incorporate elements from local Aboriginal heritage.

The name of the tender will be released once the successful company has been notified.

The master plan footprint also includes future development of a cafe or restaurant at the foreshore, as well as upgrades to the ageing toilet facilities.