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Collapse Issue 478 - 16 Sep 2019Issue 478 - 16 Sep 2019
Collapse  NEWS NEWS
Clydesdale horses visit aged care facility
Urban spatial plan goes on public exhibition
Testing 'stopped' of water blamed for pelican deaths
Only six Peninsula bike paths in list of 142
Peter Bagnall steps down as surf club president
Bushwalking family rescued after night outdoors
Electorate's community projects are on the Peninsula
Cafe owner asks for removal of conditions
Call for disability facilities in playground upgrades
Drifting yacht recoverd by RMS
Proposal for two-storey gym at Club Umina
Councillors differ on local planning panels
Umina skate park design report released
Three two-storey townhouse development replicated
Applications to demolish homes and erect townhouses
Short-term accommodation approved
Two homes to be replaced by double-storey building
Manufactured home approved under delegation
Council to set sports fields charges
Water restrictions being considered
Mayor and deputy mayor to face election
Program of events for 90th anniversary
Celebratory event has boutique wine and gourmet food
Girl Guides to celebrate 70 years
Ethan is organiser of school strike
Matthew Calbert is named Young Volunteer of the Year
CWA branch receives recognition statement
New Rotary club receives its charter
Men's Shed holds its Spring garage sale
Dog event raises $5000 for Guide Dogs
Nine trees planted in Springwood St
CWA branch has morning tea with youth service
Church holds service of appreciation
Rotary to use grant for aged care equipment
Rotary club hears about PCYC
Sites sign up for garage sale trail
Collapse  FORUM FORUM
Tree removal threatens local beauty
Thanks for rescuing me
The Great Uneducated?
Alleviation works fail to address flooding problem
Collapse  HEALTH HEALTH
Brenda receives her OAM for stroke awareness
Finalist in business awards
Hospital staff take colourful approach to Stroke Week
Surf club takes on RUOK Day message
Scuba diving offered as physical therapy
Surgeon accredited to use laser for haemorrhoids
Collapse  ARTS ARTS
Bouddi arts trail over long weekend
Jazz, roots and blues singers at folk club
New musical is 'proof of concept'
Exhibition to launch Coastal Twist Festival
MP supports Rainbow Windows competition
Artisan market at Woy Woy
Umina resident helps organise women's jazz festival
Collapse  EDUCATION EDUCATION
Students use 3D printer
College welcomes new Umina principal
First excursion for kindergarten students
Keearn makes national Oztag team
Goalball teams play in State championships
Logs have 'mysteriously disappeared'
Annabelle's success continues
Teacher honoured with Education Week award
Pretty Beach staff members honoured
Students raise $1000 in backpack challenge
Superheroes in parade
Students take part in Cultural Continuum excursion
Working bee results in new look garden beds
College students and staff visit Empire Bay
Students raise funds for Legacy
Students show off cooking skills
Students paint with light
Brainstorming ways to make learning more innovative
Collapse  SPORT SPORT
Jemma takes gold in canoe world championships
Umina crown NSW Surf Life Saving Club of the Year
Southern and Ettalong United defeated by Gosford City
Bailey makes finals of Ironman trials
Three boxers succeed at Queensland Golden Gloves
Asha to compete in dirt track titles
Women's Seven team hang up their boots
Roosters under-10 team undefeated in five years
Club offers free training in return for work
Rugby Union presentations

Call for disability facilities in playground upgrades

A disabilities advocate is calling for planned upgrades of three Peninsula playgrounds to include facilities to cater for people of all levels of disability.

Central Coast Council plans to upgrade the WL Lloyd Park next to Ocean Beach Surf Life Saving Club, and the Brisbane Ave and Lentara Ave playgrounds at Umina Beach.

"I don't expect every park to have everything we need, but the aim is to have some parks in some precincts,'' Mr Gary Blaschke said.

President of the Northern Lakes Disability Tourism Precinct Committee, Mr Blaschke has audited the 15 playground upgrades that Central Coast Council has completed in the last 12 months, including Patonga Park at Patonga Dr.

Mr Blaschke found most play spaces were very poor in most of the 13 disability categories he judged them on including parking, ramps, toilet facilities, and equipment.

He concluded all the 15 parks, rated poorly for external and internal access, and most had no sensory equipment.

Patonga Park had a fence near the road but none on the side near the water "so any kid could run into the water", Mr Blaschke said.

He said he hoped his findings would improve the disability ratings of the next 24 playgrounds earmarked for upgrades.

Mr Blaschke said the NSW "Everyone can Play" grant process saw Central Coast Council secure a grant to build or refurbish existing play spaces, with the core objective to create inclusive playspaces.

"Three questions are paramount: Can I get there, can I play and can I stay?"

"It seems council believes that a nest swing, spring seat or minimal sensory equipment is the answer - no specialised disability equipment was found.

"Having a maximum of two or three pieces of equipment for children with a disability does not conform to the NSW Government's Everyone Can Play document or guidelines."

Mr Blaschke resigned after six months from council's disability inclusion reference group two years ago after becoming disillusioned with its aims and objectives, processes and vested interests.

"Very few understood what the word inclusion meant," he said.

"Nobody was looking at the big picture, only from their own perspectives.

"I'm doing the audits because I'm trying to be positive that we are heading in the right direction."





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