AUSTRALIA'S FIRST SUSTAINABLE GREENLINE PLAYGROUND

In June this year, South Australia announced a climate emergency – a formal intent to act and protect future generations from the dangers of frequent and intense extreme weather events resulting from climate change.

“This is about reaffirming the state’s commitment to building science-based policies that can prepare South Australia for the realities of extreme weather, climate shifts and increased global warming,” said Neil McFarlane, Director Climate Change, Coast and Marine from the SA Department for Environment and Water.

16 local governments have declared the emergency alongside the South Australian state government, signalling a determination to action real multi-level change in policy and leadership and fight back against global warming.

Various shifts in government attitudes and activities in South Australia have followed the announcement, including plans for a hydrogen plant to create green energy, the revocation of the electric vehicle tax and a push for South Australians to embrace public transport and rely less on single-passenger road transport.

In SA local government parks and open spaces, the Green Procurement Guideline has rolled out and is now active. Published by the Local Government Association of South Australia, the document stresses the importance of a ‘triple bottom line’– the economic, social and environmental costs of a project. It encourages local government officials to look beyond the economic factors of their work and take a more sophisticated approach by choosing suppliers that:

• Meet community expectations regarding sustainability
• Avoid supply chain management issues relating to unsustainable practices
• Save costs by producing more efficient goods and services
• Show leadership in the adoption and delivery of innovative solutions

The fruits of this policy change are already evident in South Australia, with sustainable procurement briefs in tenders and open space teams installing new, innovative play equipment made with fewer carbon emissions. A shining example has been at City of Mitcham Council, where the pocket park on Waverley St has been recently revitalised and features KOMPAN GreenLine play equipment – the first installation of its kind in Australia.

After reviewing the solution KOMPAN partner Playmazing submitted to City of Mitcham Council for Waverley St Reserve, Open Space Asset Officer Tim Birkett knew that the KOMPAN GreenLine equipment was the perfect fit for the new ‘triple bottom line’.

“We loved the sustainable credentials of the design,” Tim said.

“Mitcham is leading the way in sustainability… in all of our procurements, sustainability is up there with cost and design. This solution meets all of our sustainable procurement needs, and the community love it.”

The equipment is a standout among sustainable playground solutions in Australia. Made from various post-consumer waste like old textiles, single-use plastics and ocean fishing nets, it tackles the biggest carbon emitter in its industry – virgin material production. By recycling waste that would otherwise go to landfill, GreenLine products emit up to 76 percent less carbon than standard playground equipment. Bureau Veritas have also verified KOMPAN as a transparent reporter of CO2 emission data, making it easy for local governments, schools and developers to see exactly how much carbon they are emitting when they compare the GreenLine products to standard playground equipment.

The pocket park, while small, is packed with play value and sustainable materials. It features a large play tower with TexMade™ posts innovatively made from 100 percent old textiles and single use plastics. Ocean fishing nets, trawl nets and ropes are collected from the maritime industry, shredded, pelletized and repurposed into reusable plastic to produce 100 percent of the tower walls and springer seats, 75 percent of the tower decks and 25 percent of the carousel rotomoulded seat. The structural extruded aluminium is also produced using low-carbon processes.

The play equipment is collaboratively designed with the KOMPAN Play Institute, who conduct independent research with a global network of academics and determine the best features to give children of all ages and abilities the most play value and opportunity for development. Waverley St Reserve utilises a varied range of activities like spinning, climbing, sliding, bouncing, swinging and performing to support children’s social-emotional, physical, cognitive and creative development through play.

“This is a perfect example of how a pocket park doesn’t have to miss out on anything,” said Stacey Hack, Design and Visualisation Team Leader at KOMPAN.

“We’ve got swinging, we’ve got the gorgeous springer, we’ve got the spinning carousel and of course the play tower with all of its activities.”

“What we’re doing here is the next step. Its about reducing those carbon emissions. Whether the equipment is for a smaller park in a local community or a destination park in a large city, these little choices add up. If councils around the country can roll out sustainable procurement guidelines like Mitcham have, then we’d all be taking the next best step together.”

Looking at the now-completed park, the City of Mitcham were able to reduce its carbon emissions by 20 percent by choosing the GreenLine versios of its desired play equipment.

As more local governments co-sign the climate emergency declaration, demand for products like the GreenLine play equipment grows. KOMPAN have established themselves as innovators in the industry and a perfect partner for progressive councils like the City of Mitcham to create beloved open spaces with a tangible and measurable benefit for the environment.

To learn more about GreenLine play equipment for your next project, visit the KOMPAN website.

Discover more innovative parks and playgrounds from KOMPAN via the links below.