Time to play in Ross Creek

ROSS Creek’s new play space was officially opened at the town’s recreation reserve last week.

An accessible playground with swings, trampolines, climbing equipment, and slides has been installed, alongside a seniors’ exercise space, and more walking tracks.

Woady Yaloak Primary School’s Ross Creek campus backs onto the playground, which grade 3 to 6 pupils can use at break times.

“The playground isn’t just a slide and a swing,” said principal Stephen Cox. “The equipment encourages their physical development.

“It also encourages collaboration, and we see a lot of kids running over at lunch time, playing tiggy, hanging upside-down. It’s a space for fun and friendship.

“It’s also a multi-age space, where grade 3s can play with grade 6s. The shelter has been refurbished, and parents will linger here and talk for half-an-hour while the kids play.

“It’s another meeting point for community.”

Nine-year-old Stella said she’s been enjoying the playground since it was completed in recent months, and that it’s a big improvement on the old equipment that was previously on site.

“It’s a lot better, and I’m going to be using it a lot more,” she said. “I love the bars, the trampolines, and the slides.

The State’s Growing Suburbs Fund covered $450,000 worth of project costs, while the Golden Plains Shire contributed $100,000.

Member for Ripon, Martha Haylett, said as the area is growing, it needed a spaces that can cater to families for years to come.

Golden Plains Shire mayor Cr Brett Cunningham said outdoor spaces like Ross Creek Recreation Reserve are treasured by northern townships.

“When families are here playing sport, everyone’s connected, and the kids have got an area to go to,” he said.

“It’s a fantastic destination for visitors and families in the north of the Shire.”

At the same time Shire officers have begun a process of seeking community feedback on the Ross Creek Recreation Reserve masterplan update.

Feedback is open until the end of May and the plan is seeking to solve functional problems with the space and make it a more multi-use and fit-for-purpose area.

“Council has sought to refresh and update the pre-existing master plan, developed in 2015, to ensure it reflects and responds to the changing needs of the user groups and broader community,” Cr Cunningham said.

“Council wants to ensure the master plan update meets the needs of the community to encourage greater use of the Ross Creek Recreation Reserve by residents and visitors.

“Following consultation and collaboration with the committee of management, community coordinators and other user groups, Council welcomes residents’ input on the masterplan update and look forward to receiving their feedback throughout the consultation period.”