Funding has been secured to install full perimeter fencing at Riverside Playground in Wagga Wagga, following a risk-based assessment of the site’s location and surrounding hazards. Wagga Wagga City Council has confirmed the upgrade will enclose the playground area to improve safety, particularly given its proximity to the Murrumbidgee River and nearby recreational zones.
The project aligns with recommendations outlined in Council’s Playground Strategy 2024–2044, which identified fencing as a suitable control measure for playgrounds located near water bodies and other environmental risks. While fencing is not a mandatory requirement for public playgrounds in New South Wales, the strategy supports its use where site-specific risk assessments indicate a safety benefit.
Partial fencing had previously been installed at Riverside Playground, however the new works will provide a fully enclosed play space. The upgrade reflects increasing community support for enclosed playgrounds, particularly at regional play spaces that attract high visitation and cater to a wide range of users.
Riverside Playground is the first regional or suburban playground to receive full fencing under the current strategy, with additional sites to be considered in future stages based on risk profile, location, and available funding.
