Susanna Freymark
“This motion is fundamentally about the mental health of our children, it’s about the emotional stability of our children. It is about their cognitive and physical development. It is about their social development. This motion is about PLAY.”
Councillor Olivia Taylor was passionate about presenting her motion on play at the Kyogle Council meeting on Monday, August 11.
Before councillors discussed Ms Taylor’s proposal to make play areas a priority around Kyogle, resident Sally Joyce addressed the chambers.
Ms Joyce is a member of Play Australia and a parent of two children growing up in Kyogle.
She quoted The State of Play report released in June 2025.
“This report focuses on the current conditions impacting children’s play in Australia and what action is needed to support children’s play opportunities,” she said.
The report could help councils make informed decisions when planning for play.
An estimated 20% of 537 local governments in Australia have a play strategy or policy in place or are working on developing one, Ms Joyce said.
“Whilst many have policies centred on their ‘playgrounds only’, there is a growing consciousness that play has a greater role in supporting the positive benefits in the community.”
Ms Joyce’s message was to understand why play was important before lots of money was spent creating play areas.
“By investing in where, why and what children and families need, we can get better bang for our buck on what we invest in and the outcomes that we can achieve,” she said.
“For example: We can build the best park in the Northern Rivers but if children are unable to get there independently with their friends, it is not enabling play.
“What do play opportunities look like in Highfield, The Homestead, Geneva in places in and around where children live?”
Ms Joyce said organisations such as Play Australia could help with understanding what would work best for Kyogle.
Play Australia chief executive Robyn Munro Miller worked with councils on play initiatives.
“Creating opportunities for play (in all the natural nooks and crannies) in your local neighbourhoods can have a profound impact on community well-being and social connection,” Ms Joyce said.
These play focus areas are also called playbourhoods.
Ms Taylor said the playbourhood concept went beyond playgrounds.
“It goes beyond metal structures extruding from rubber softfall. It goes beyond the standard our children currently experience,” she said.
Ms Taylor attended the Play Australia Planning for Play Conference held in Brisbane last weekend.
“This conference made it very clear as a local councillor involved in strategic direction that we must act on this,” she said.
“It also deeply impacted me as a mother. There were times I was moved to tears when I learned of the difficulties our children are developing with, much to do with the loss of play and increased screen time.”
We all know the stats, Ms Taylor said.
“The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare tells us that the leading cause of death in 15-24 year olds is suicide. I’m not saying play is the sole answer to this horror. We know online bullying has a lot to do with it, as does childhood trauma.”
Ms Taylor was adamant.
“We can provide youth spaces. We can provide grounds for play in places other than playgrounds. We can support parents by providing spaces so that they are encouraged to take their children outside to play. So that they themselves are encouraged to socialise and increase community connection.”
Ms Taylor said when she meets new parents who have moved to Kyogle from the city she asks them, why have you come to Kyogle?
“‘Because we want a better childhood for our children’, they say. What can Council do for these families, many who work and stimulate our local economy” she said.
“When I think of Kyogle thriving and what that really means, it is our children and young people, enjoying the right to play, the right to a childhood in this great country we call Australia.
“It’s about affording children the types of childhoods we all had. When you think of your childhood memories of play, where were you? I bet there is a high chance you were outside and with your peers, probably doing something involving challenge and risk.”
Ms Taylor said Ms Munro Miller had offered to consult with Kyogle Council for free.
“What an opportunity for our LGA. Kyogle and villages have so much to offer. I know this comes down to funding. We don’t have it. Perhaps Robyn Munro Miller can tell us how we can activate play spaces now, not in 5 to 10 years,” she said.
“Now. Because our children only get one childhood. I believe the Strategy for Play that is developed will form the basis of what our play spaces will look like, it is the blueprint before the work is done, it is the document that our council will be able to use to seek funding to deliver such a proposal.”
Ms Taylor spoke about the popularity of the skateparks and pump track in Kyogle’s Anzac Park.
The State of Play 2025 report said that the government investment in pump tracks, skate parks and parkour spaces were positive investments however, these spaces have shown statistically to be used by 95% boys and only 5% girls. The 5% girls were often not necessarily playing but watching. The girls who do step into these play arenas are considered to be brave or Tom-boy-like, the most common thing girls do is they choose to watch and not participate.
Ms Taylor said Ms Munro Miller can help the council with a strategy to develop and enhance female engagement in these government investments, so that we don’t have our young girls becoming more isolated and lacking in opportunities for play and physical activities. The same goes for play and physical activities for children with a disability.
There were more aspects to play put forward by Ms Taylor.
“What about the children who live in town who do not have access to a ride in a car to take them to a playground?
“How can we activate grounds for play for these children in their own street? “What about pathway linkages that allow safe passage for young people to get to a playground safely? Our civic upgrades. What features could we install to provide more grounds for play in our town street scapes?”
Kyogle Council already has an Open Space Design Guide that says a local park typically serves a neighbourhood within a 400m catchment (or 5 minute walk) of a village.
A Strategy for Play will only enhance what we already have and when funding comes, we will be ready to go, Ms Taylor said.
Councillor Rob Cullen said he had 45 years of experience as a primary school teacher.
Over the years, he saw the growth of a bubble-wrap society and fear from parents.
Climbing helps children develop their brains. Activities such as outdoor kitchens and large sandpits helped children’s development, Mr Cullen said.
Mr Cullen said the proposal by Ms Taylor “was fantastic for more constructive play in our towns.”
Councillor John Burley said how packed Anzac Park was on the weekends.
“We should grab the bit and go with it,” Mr Burley said.
Councillor Kieran Somerville said the council should grab the opportunity.
Councillor Robin Harley asked if the program had a good old slippery dip.
“One where you burnt your bum,” he said.
There was laughter in the chambers and when it came to a vote it was no surprise that councillors voted unanimously in favour of Ms Taylors motion that the council prepare a Strategy for Play with the help of a play consultant to reinvigorate outdoor play areas for children and young people in our local government area.