The playground will feature a wheelchair accessible carousel.

The news comes after a swing for children and adults in wheelchairs officially opened at Town Beach Reserve in July.

Occupational therapist Pip Cullen from All Together Therapy said the Liberty Swing had been well received by the whole community.

Construction at Lake Cathie is estimated to start after the September school holidays, weather permitting, with the work expected to take about three weeks.

Ms Cullen said she had a meeting with council and was very excited to hear a wheelchair accessible carousel would be installed at Lake Cathie.

She said that was great but there was still a long way to go to incorporate inclusion throughout the area.

“I think with play equipment at the moment they are focusing on some of the big ticket items, which is great,” she said.

“The Liberty Swing has made a big difference for town but I think they need to look at a range of disabilities across the lifespan.”

Mrs Cullen said it was important to include facilities, such as changing places and disability accessible parking, to support the inclusive play spaces.

She said it was also important to ensure the provision of equipment suitable for a range of people.

Livvi’s Place at Westport Park and the playground at Wauchope’s Bain Park are the other key inclusive playgrounds in the area.

A report about inclusive playgrounds went before Port Macquarie-Hastings Council’s August meeting in response to a question from mayor Peta Pinson.

The mayor asked how the council intended to provide more inclusive playgrounds across the local government area.

The council continued to move towards integrating inclusive play opportunities in playgrounds across our local government area with inclusive play elements, the report said.

“Recently completed works at Vince Inmon Sporting Fields in Laurieton and Lasiandra Park in Wauchope are great examples of inclusivity being incorporated into playground upgrades,” the report said.

The council report said further opportunities to incorporate inclusive play spaces in other areas was being investigated as part of council’s playground renewal program.

Meanwhile, the state government is developing inclusive play space guidelines for use by local government and the broader industry.

Council’s group manager community place Lucilla Marshall is the regional NSW representative on the reference group.

Staff will provide feedback on the draft guidelines during the six-week exhibition period.

The council report said the state government had also announced $20 million would be made available to build more than 200 new or upgraded playgrounds which were more inclusive and engaging.

“Staff are awaiting further information regarding this grants program to see what opportunities may exist for provision of improved inclusive playgrounds in the Port Macquarie-Hastings area,” the report said.

What else is making news?