Playground Blitz - Local Government Requirements

A condition of approval for Playground Blitz funding is for schools to ensure that resultant building and/or equipment approvals comply with relevant local planning guidelines and appropriate building or equipment standards.

In the case of Playground Equipment grants (up to $15,000) it is believed that councils may have an interest in being made aware of work relating to installation of new and replacement playground equipment, goal posts, basketball/netball rings and similar items. In most of these instances councils may only require evidence of compliance with appropriate standards.

For School Sports and Fitness Facilities grants (up to $50,000) as well as equipment installation projects, it is expected that councils would have an interest in being made aware of work relating to new or substantial refurbishment of sports ovals, tennis/basketball courts, fencing, shade structures as well as the remodelling of gyms/halls, construction of retaining and other walls, and so on.

It is possible that planning applications and the requirement for building and/or plumbing approvals may apply for these projects. Should this be the case, it is important to remember that all planning/development applications must first be submitted for signing by the Minister For Education. Contact with Facility Services is recommended in these instances.

Schools are advised to contact local councils to discuss their “Playground Blitz” project with them. It is not advisable to rely solely on the advice of suppliers or contractors in regard to compliance matters.

Where councils indicate that work is exempt from any of their concerns it may be useful, as a matter of good practice, to keep a diary note to this effect on file.

For further information contact Facility Services on 6233 7283 or email: facilityservices@education.tas.gov.au

August 2005