FAQs

Stage 1 of the Cooper Street all-abilities playground was completed in June 2024. The playground has allowed for integrated play activities for wheelchair users and all abilities. Council would like to increase the offering for wheelchair users and this next stage of work will include a wheelchair accessible swing, flying fox with harness seat, low intensity play opportunity, additional inclusive signage,  and accessible park furniture and footpaths. The second stage will complete the design of Cooper Street Reserve All Abilities Playground. 

Council has adopted a Play Strategy and Implementation Plan to improve play opportunities for our community. The strategy highlights the need for playgrounds to be fairly distributed across Sutherland Shire and calls for a local playground within 10 minutes’ walk from most homes. 

We have carried out extensive analysis of the demographics, demand, growth, and development in Sutherland Shire. To cater for the needs of our community now and in the future, potential locations were identified for acquisition of land and creation of new playgrounds, service level changes, relocations and consolidations. 

We provide 150 playgrounds in Sutherland Shire. It is not financially sustainable to provide new playgrounds in the areas they are needed, as well as carry out our playground renewal program. 

The playground at Naranga Avenue Reserve has limited play value and is at the end of its serviceable life. This provides an opportunity to review the suitability of a playground in this location. Given the lack of visibility and surveillance, we’re proposing to consolidate this playground with the playground 360 metres away at Cooper Street Reserve, which has recently been upgraded and provides extensive play opportunities for a wide range of ages and abilities.

The playground at Naranga Avenue Reserve has limited play value and is at the end of its serviceable life. We have reviewed the suitability of the location, based on limited visibility and passive surveillance. Due to these reasons we’re proposing to consolidate this playground with the one at Cooper Street Reserve which has recently been upgraded and will see further upgrades in 2026. This will allow us to better maintain and service this facility and other existing playgrounds into the future.

The playground will be closed when the stage 2 work at Cooper Street Reserve all-abilities playground is completed.

Council has purchased the residential property, and the land will be given back for open space and recreation use.

Immediate work includes demolition of the buildings, making the area safe and returfing the area for public use.

Council is working with NSW Government to relocate community service bus parking from the southern public carpark in Cooper Street Reserve. Relocation of this service will return up to 17 parking spaces for users of Cooper Street Reserve. This process is expected to take some time to complete. We will keep our community updated of progress.  

We are upgrading the public amenities building at Cooper Street Reserve.

The new public amenities building will cater to all abilities and will be certified as a 'Changing Places' facility supporting community members with high support needs. The new building will feature three ambulant cubicles, one accessible cubicle with a baby change table, and a Changing Places facility.

Work will start in September 2025 and be completed in June 2026 (weather permitting). You can find out more on our project website.