Frequently Asked Questions

The City carries out annual playground safety inspections and condition assessments. This information is used to inform the Play Space Plan 2022 (PDF, 6.87 MB), which prioritises playground renewals and replacements based on age, safety, condition and demand. The Play Space Plan 2022 also identifies priority projects over the next 15-20 years.

The City does not seek community input on every playground renewal project. Whether or not the City engages depends on a number of factors, including the condition of the equipment, type of park or reserve where the playground is located, how widely it is used and the budget available. Playground renewals are also guided by the City’s Play Space Plan 2022, which identifies priority projects over the next 15-20 years.

Nature play equipment uses components that are manufactured from natural products and preferably irregularly shaped, including logs (timber), marine rope, rocks and water.  While equipment made of timber and marine rope has many benefits, it also requires greater maintenance and doesn’t last as long, often making it a more expensive and less sustainable option.

Playgrounds in the City are designed to last for 30 years, to provide value for money and a more sustainable service. The City generally favours metal play elements as they last the longest and are recycled at the end of the playground’s life. 

Some nature play elements will be considered for the Bill McGrath Reserve play space, including rocks, limestone blocks, and other features that allow users to learn about or interact with nature.

The City of South Perth is working towards a more inclusive and accessible approach for all play spaces, as identified in the City’s Play Space Plan 2022 (PDF, 6.87 MB), which includes ‘access for all’ as a key principle: ‘Access for all is encouraged within the City’s play spaces, including specific population groups, such as people with disability, seniors and children. The City’s Access and Inclusion Plan 2022-2027 (PDF, 2.05 MB) also informs our play spaces and accessible design elements.

Where possible, the City will endeavour to install features that allow all people to play on the equipment.

• Ask us a question and we’ll either answer you on the project page or email you directly.
• Phone 9474 0777 and ask to speak to someone about playground renewals or make a request on the City's website(External link).

Sand is preferred to rubber flooring as it stays shock-absorbent for much longer. Local playgrounds, like Bill McGrath and Swanview, are designed to last for 30 years to provide value for money and a more sustainable playground. Rubber softfall has a useful life of only 8-10 years before it needs to be replaced and disposed of in land fill. Rubber costs 3.5 times more than sand softfall and can be topped upped and cleaned for the life of the play equipment. Sand softfall is also a play element.