\nToday marks the start of\u00a0Local Government Week\u00a0(3-9 August), with this year\u2019s theme,\u00a0\u2018Councils Do\u2019, reflecting\u00a0the broad range of activities\u00a0councils\u00a0undertake to support their local communities\u00a0and proactively respond to the challenges they face.
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![\"LMBrickworksPark-web.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au\/getattachment\/Council\/News\/Latest-News\/City-invests-in-playground-renewal-as-families-fin\/LMBrickworksPark-web.jpg.aspx\" "\\"Newcastle")
\nNewcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali\u202fNelmes said\u202fthe City is prioritising\u202fbuilding new\u202finfrastructure\u202fas part of its\u202fresponse to the devastating impact of COVID-19, with a\u202frecord $116 million capital works program.
\n\u201cCouncils are the hub of their communities, responsible for\u00a0everything from\u00a0libraries,\u00a0galleries,\u00a0museums\u00a0and\u00a0community events,\u00a0to\u00a0childcare centres,\u00a0development assessments,\u00a0environmental maintenance\u00a0and even cemeteries,\u201d\u00a0the Lord Mayor said.
\n\u201cOur neighbourhood parks and open spaces are vital city infrastructure, and during the past five years we have delivered\u00a0approximately\u00a0$6.5 million in new and upgraded playgrounds across our city and suburbs, including the new Brickworks Park and Carrington Street Reserve playgrounds in Wallsend.
\n\u201cIn 2020\/21 we will continue this investment in locations such as\u202fNovocastrian Park\u202fin\u202fNew Lambton,\u00a0Gross Street Reserve\u202fat\u202fTighes Hill, King Edward Park\u00a0in Cooks Hill\u00a0and\u00a0Dangar Park in Mayfield.
\n\u201cWe\u2019re also planning\u00a0a new active hub in Wallsend, while also\u202fcompleting\u202fthe significant upgrade to\u202fStevenson Park in Mayfield West.\u201d
\nUp to\u202ffour\u202fof Newcastle\u2019s 117\u202fplaygrounds are\u202freplaced\u202feach year\u202fas part of the City\u2019s asset renewal works program.
\nWork\u202fon the\u202fjust completed\u202fplayground at\u202fBrickworks Park\u202fin\u202fWallsend\u202fincluded a new all-abilities\u202fcarousel, boulder climb, nest swing,\u202frope ladder, slide and\u202fmore, while the Carrington Street Reserve\u202fplayground\u202fhas been\u202fupgraded\u202fto include a\u202fnew plank walk, suspension bridge, double slide, tube net and other\u202factivities.
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![\"LMCarringtonReserve-web.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au\/getattachment\/Council\/News\/Latest-News\/City-invests-in-playground-renewal-as-families-fin\/LMCarringtonReserve-web.jpg.aspx\" "\\"Newcastle")
\n\u201cLocal communities\u202flove\u202ftheir local playgrounds,\u202fand they\u2019re\u202foften\u202fa\u202fneighbourhood\u202fhub for residents to meet and\u202fcome\u202ftogether,\u201d the Lord Mayor said.
\n\u201cThis\u202fwas especially noticeable\u202funder\u202fthe COVID-19 restrictions, which\u202fchallenged us as a community to look closer to home for exercise and\u202frecreation.
\n\u201cOur playground renewal program is a great example of how City of Newcastle\u00a0goes\u00a0far beyond\u00a0the traditional services of\u00a0\u2018roads, rates and rubbish\u2019\u00a0to create a fantastic place to live, promote a healthy economy and build our community.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"