Blacktown City Council has reopened playgrounds and exercise equipment within the local government area.
“Council’s recent decision to close the playgrounds was always subject to review and not designed to be for any set length of time,” said Blacktown City Mayor, Tony Bleasdale.
“We have made the decision having heard the calls from the community.
“Council also made the decision being aware of the obligations of the Public Health Orders and noting that our neighbouring councils have kept their playgrounds open.”
Mayor Bleasdale said the original decision to close the playgrounds was beyond Council’s obligations in the Public Health Orders but was based on a need to reduce people gathering.
“We can’t have such confidence – but we can point to the majority of our residents doing the right thing and acknowledge that we support the stance of NSW Police in enforcing the Public Health Orders,” he said.
“Council will continue to maintain its high level of cleaning and maintenance of our parks, reserves and public spaces and additional signs will be erected reminding people of their responsibilities.
“Please let there be no doubt, however – should the Public Health Orders be changed so as to require playgrounds to close, Council will immediately implement those changed requirements.”
Meanwhile, Mayor Bleasdale is continuing his campaign to have a walk-up mass vaccination hub established in the Blacktown Council area.
“I have again written to the Health Minister and Premier pointing out the situation where our City with a population of nearly 400,000 does not have a mass vaccination hub whereas surrounding councils have multiple vaccination hubs.
“Blacktown City Council has offered to provide, at no cost to NSW Health, a number of large, centrally located venues and all non-medical staff but so the offer has fallen on deaf ears,” Mayor Bleasdale said.
