Many local parks still closed following recent flood

Fraser Coast residents are being urged not to enter parks still closed following the recent flood. Cr Daniel Sanderson said while Council staff were working as quickly as they could, clean-up efforts were being hampered by the wet ground and continual showers.

“Council staff are waiting for the ground to dry sufficiently to complete pathway cleaning and replacing softfall around playgrounds,” Cr Sanderson said.

“The ground has to be dry enough to ensure our trucks and vehicles do not cause more damage to the turf.

“Unfortunately, people are removing warning tape, chains and locks to access the facilities. As a result, we have had to redirect staff from the clean-up effort to check on closed areas.

“While the equipment may not be damaged, the wet ground may be harbouring harmful bacteria, so we need residents to stay out of the closed areas.

“Overall though, there has been surprisingly limited damage within the parks network given the size of the flood.” Cr Sanderson said Council mowing teams and contractors were doing their best to maintain services and stay on top of grass growth in challenging conditions.

“Unfortunately, the wet ground and showers are having an effect with some areas simply too wet to mow,” he said. “We ask for the community’s patience and understanding while our Council staff work hard on the flood recovery while also trying to maintain their usual services in our parks and playgrounds.”

As at 3pm on Thursday, January 20:

• ANZAC Park, Maryborough: Three playgrounds are open. One playground remains closed until ground dries sufficiently for softfall to be replaced.
• Mary River Parklands Maryborough: The public toilet is closed. Some areas around Portside have long grass. It is simply too wet to mow.
• Rotary Park, Queens Street Maryborough: The playground is closed as the ground is too wet to replace softfall.
• Little Tinana Recreation Reserve, Bidwell: The whole park is closed as it is still too wet to access.
• Glenwood Community Hall: The toilet and barbecue facilities are open. The playground remains closed as the park is too wet to access. The contaminated softfall needs to be removed and replaced. Fencing around the playground needs to be repaired or replaced.
• Teebar Hall Grounds, Teebar: The playground remains closed as the contaminated softfall needs to be removed and replaced. The park is still too wet to access.
• Petrie Park, Tiaro: The whole park is still closed. While the facilities have been cleaned and sanitized, the water tank and pump system for the toilets were washed away. As the toilets and water are critical to the functionality of this park, it remains closed.
• Pioneer Country Park, Tinana: Access is restricted so staff are unable to complete cleaning. The park is open for public use. There may be some pathway repairs required.
• Schultz Park, Tinana: Contaminated playground softfall has been removed and partially replaced. Further rain prevented work from being completed.
• Queens Park, Maryborough: The ground is still too wet to clean all the lower areas in the park. The interactive screens around the Duncan Chapman Memorial area have been removed for repairs.