City of Greater Bendigo plan signals playgrounds in Kennington, Strathdale could close

The 20-year Public Spaces Plan was adopted by the City of Greater Bendigo in July last year.

The plan has provisionally recommended the playground at 10 Sibley Place, Strathdale be removed.

Play spaces at Kennington streets, The Strand, Hakea Street, Timbertop Drive, Harley Street, Sherpa Court and Bolton Drive have the same recommendation.

The plan stated the City would "undertake an assessment process regarding the existing play space" for each of the seven sites.

But City of Greater Bendigo coordinator of public space design Aaron Lindsay said the City had no immediate plans to remove the play spaces in Kennington and Strathdale.

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"The plan proposes a number of play spaces for development, renewal, upgrade and/or removal over the next 20 years throughout Greater Bendigo in consultation with the community," Mr Lindsay said.

"The City is not proposing to remove any further play spaces in the current financial year.

"It is yet to determine the location of play spaces it will propose for removal in the future, as assessments will need to be done over the next 20 years on a case-by-case basis."

It comes as residents in Epsom rally to keep a local play space.

The City of Greater Bendigo told residents it would remove the Melbury Court playground and renew other play spaces located in neighbouring Botanical Drive and Greenview Circuit.

"Given the close proximity of the play spaces at Botanical Drive, Greenview Circuit and the nearby Bendigo Botanic Gardens, it is recommended to remove the play space at Melbury Court as it is at the end of its useful life," a letter to residents read.

Mr Lindsay acknowledged there was a high proportion of playgrounds in Kennington and Strathdale.

"While Kennington does have a higher number of play spaces than other suburbs, none are proposed for closure at this point in time," Mr Lindsay said.

Mr Lindsay encouraged residents to view the plan at bendigo.vic.gov.au

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