Slip sliding away… 

Signs on a fence at Leamington Domain explain the steps Waipā District Council has taken.

Well-used equipment in two Leamington playgrounds have been decommissioned for safety reasons following an independent safety audit across Waipā.

The equipment did not meet New Zealand safety standards which represent fundamental minimum best practice in the event of a serious accident or injury claim.

A timber modular unit, a slide and climbing platform at Leamington Domain and playground elements at Lindsay Park, in Coleridge Street failed the audit.

The elements from Lindsay Park have been removed, fixed up and installed at Leamington Domain to replace the timber modular unit.

The domain playground is one of the most popular ones in the district.

There is only a see-saw left in Lindsay Park, but Community Services manager Sally Sheedy says playgrounds in Thompson Street and Leamington Domain will be able to cater for community demand.

Two community-managed playgrounds at Te Miro and Rangiaowhia halls were also found to be unsafe and should be immediately decommissioned.

It is not just playgrounds under the microscope.

Structures such as boardwalks, viewing platforms and bridges are also being investigated.

The report is nearing completion. Sheedy said none appeared to be of immediate risk or concern, but some were non-compliant with the building code.

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