Link June 2017 Vol 26 Issue 3 | Page 10

news all abilities play space breaks part of an international group developing standards for inclusive new ground playgrounds, designed the play A $4 million all abilities play with local user groups. Nedlands Swan River foreshore Features will include a sensory space after intensive consultation space is being constructed on the in Perth. walkway, flying fox, active climbing, decks and slide, active swinging, Six years in the making, the accessible picnic areas, a community community-driven project at garden and kitchen, an informal Beaton Park in Dalkeith will provide sports and games area, exercise an innovative state-of-the-art play equipment, ramps and relaxation facility for everyone – regardless of areas, parking (including ACROD age or ability. bays), accessible toilets and nature, Nedlands Mayor Max Hipkins, left, Bella Hopewell, Justin Lekias and Nedlands MLA Bill Marmion officially break the ground for the All Abilities Play Space. music, sand and water play areas. The large-scale, purpose-designed everyone, helping to build physical, project was initiated by the Rotary City of Nedlands Mayor Max psychological and social health,” Clubs of Nedlands, Subiaco Hipkins said the All Abilities Play Mr Hipkins said. and West Perth with the City of Space would bring inclusive play to Nedlands providing the site and the whole of Perth with everyone Stage one of the development managing construction. using the same equipment. began in March, focusing on most of the play equipment and part of the Award-winning landscape “Research has shown the sheer car park. The final stage is expected architect Fiona Robbé, who is fun of playing is important for to be completed by 2019. “This is the equivalent to the aged under 25, with some as young work of 173,00 0 full-time mental as eight,” Professor Whiteford said. value of mental health carers exceeds $13 billion Carers supporting Australians with mental illness are providing services that would cost governments $13.2 billion to replace, according to a new report by the University of Queensland. Professor Harvey Whiteford, from health support workers,” Professor Whiteford said. “The dollar Lead author Sandra Diminic value of this support far exceeds said mental health carers faced current spending on mental health challenges in accessing services to services, which in 2014-2015 was support their caring role. around $8.5 billion.” “Only a quarter of primary carers The majority of Australia’s 240,000 receive Carer Payment, and two mental health carers were women, thirds don’t receive any assistance and the biggest age group were at all,” she said. “Carers are to a those in their working years. large extent the ‘hidden workforce’ the Queensland Centre for Mental 08 in the Australian health system and Health Research, said mental “The number of young people this report sends a clear message – health carers provided 208 million providing support to family members we need to recognise, appropriately hours of care nationally in 2015. was also concerning, with 15 per cent train and support them.” news linkonline.com.au