ONE of Bendigo’s most popular children’s attractions will be bulldozed within days, and there are no immediate plans to replace it. Contractors will start work on stage two of the Hargreaves Mall redevelopment next week, and one of the first things to go will be the much-used children’s playground outside McArthur’s Shoes. Despite lauding its credentials as a United Nations accredited Child Friendly City, neither the original or the revised City of Greater Bendigo council’s mall redevelopment plans featured a playground. The second design featured a long streamlined sculpture children could sit on and jump over. That was criticised as inadequate and council announced it would appoint “playground consultants” to look at the issue. Those consultants have reported the original sculpture idea was too expensive, and council has been forced back to the drawing board. Council Planning and Assets director Jos Duivenvoorden said council was still unsure what to replace the popular playground with. “The cost of what we had planned was higher than anticipated, so a new play structure is still being finalised,” he said. “There might not be one for at least 12 months. “It is not part of the budget at the moment.” The playground is popular with children from all sections of the Bendigo community. It attracts families into the CBD and allows parents some down time while shopping with their children. Mr Duivenvoorden acknowledged the situation would not be popular. “We believe there will be a reaction,” he said. “My family uses that playground more than any other in Bendigo. “For the moment we will see what response we get from the community as to how we deal with the issue.” Mr Duivenvoorden said the council was adamant it would not simply replace the playground with similar equipment. “We don’t believe off-the-rack playground equipment would suit the design of the mall,” he said. Mr Duivenvoorden said stage two of the re development, at the Williamson Street end, would allow locals to get a better picture of the overall changes. “This stage is a very exciting one. When it is completed in April, we will start to see a more attractive mall that will be a pleasant place for people to shop and eat,” he said. “The new features will set the scene for how the whole mall will look when stages three and four are finished later in the year.” To kick off stage two, contractors Delta Group will erect safety fencing to provide a barrier between construction and shoppers. All shops will be accessible while construction is underway, with any paving near entrances to be done at night to minimise disruption.
The one thing that Hargreaves Mall has that other shopping centres do not, is the playground. My children and I catch the bus into Bendigo so we can shop and play. Obviously the overall "design" of the Mall is more important than those families and children who actually use the area! Please replace the playground!!!
Bendigo says it's a child-friendly city eh! About as friendly as Scrooge at Christmas. Heartless action from an uncaring council. Nothing friendly in this action for children or parents in the Mall
