Port Stephens Council has unanimously backed a motion urging Hunter Water to reconsider plans to remove the playground at Finnan Park near Grahamstown Dam after it was deemed no longer safe. The playground has been fenced off for several months following a 2025 safety assessment that found the equipment had reached the end of its serviceable life.
Hunter Water Corporation said it does not operate playgrounds as part of its core services and cited upcoming major dam safety works as making replacement unviable. Councillors argued the playground is a valued community asset that has served generations of local families and questioned whether the organisation should invest in replacing the equipment given its financial position.
Council will write to Hunter Water Corporation and relevant NSW Government representatives seeking a solution to retain or replace the playground. A public petition has also been launched calling for the playground to be repaired or reinstated.
