The City of Hobart has removed the iconic ‘big blue slide’ from Sandy Bay’s Parliament Street reserve.
Council’s City Life Director Karen Abey says the removal follows an inspection last month where the slide was found to be unsafe.
“The inspection found it had deteriorated to the point it could not be repaired and presented a safety risk to those who might use it,” she told Pulse.
Council say they are currently in the process of sourcing another ‘piece of equipment’ to replace the slide which is “no longer compliant with current Australian Playground Safety Standards”.
“Therefore, we will likely not be replacing it with a similar item. Instead, we will be seeking something equivalent that meets the necessary standards,” Abey said.
The ‘famous big blue slide’ is featured on TripAdvisor as a ‘beloved attraction for both children and adults’, boasting a 4 out of 5-star rating.
But not everyone who has used the slide in the past has had a positive experience, with some reporting injuries during its lifespan.
In 2021, former Hobart City Council General Manager Nick Heath said a ‘small number’ of incidents resulting in injuries were due to ‘improper use’ of the slide.
“The slide is clearly signposted as being suitable for children aged five to 12 years. This is specified for safety reasons, as the slide was built to cater for a certain weight and height range,” he said.
“An independent safety audit conducted in 2017 did not find any safety concerns when the slide is used appropriately and by the intended age group.”
