LGOIMA Request Details: LG2509

Date received: 20/08/2026

Requested information: Playground Safety Assessment - Further questions - Further questions following LGOIMA response - will Council obtain an independent assessment, and if not, why?

Status: Complete

Date responded: 11/09/2026

Response:

Thank you for your further questions, the information you have requested is below

Council does not agree that the matters set out in your opening paragraph necessarily lead to the conclusion that an independent timber and structural assessment is required.

Council has considered the information currently available to it, including the condition of the playground equipment, the matters raised regarding borer holes and timber deterioration, and the information provided by the supplier.

Council remains in discussion with the supplier regarding these matters. While those discussions are ongoing, Council does not presently intend to commission an independent timber or structural assessment of the playground, including the post bases and foundations.

This position is not intended to preclude further investigation. Council may reconsider whether an independent assessment is appropriate if additional information is received, if the outcome of discussions with the supplier warrants it, or if further deterioration or other concerns are identified.

The absence of a particular independent report or certification should not, by itself, be taken as evidence that the playground is structurally unsafe or non-compliant.

Decisions about the management, inspection and maintenance of Council playground assets are made through Council's normal operational delegations and responsibilities. Accordingly, Council does not consider it appropriate to identify an individual officer as personally “taking responsibility” for the decision not to commission an independent assessment at this stage.

Manawatū District Council may publish this response along with a summary of the request on our website.   Requests and responses may be paraphrased.    

To protect your privacy, we will not generally publish personal information about you, or information that identifies you.   

If you wish to discuss this response with us, please feel free to contact the LGOIMA Response Team on 06 323 0000 or by replying to this email.