Removal of a climbing wall or other flood-obstructing equipment from the planned Ninja Park will be added to the pre-flood to-do list for council staff.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Councillors referred plans for the park - in high hazard flood way at Stephan Field - to the floodplain committee for consideration and received a report back to the October council meeting.
The exciting new playground, with equipment inspired by the popular Ninja Warrior television series, is planned for the location next to the skate park.
It is naturally a narrow point for the flood water to flow through, the committee reported back to the council.
Higher ground levels north of Renfree Street and south of Lawler Street cause a "choke point" increasing the speed of the water, the report says.
"It is important to protect this section of the floodplain to allow water to disperse after building up around Battye Street," the report says.
Lyall and Associates, who completed Forbes' most recent flood study, noted the construction of the skate park would also exacerbate flood conditions in the area.
"The construction of the Ninja Park, while less of an obstruction, would incrementally increase depths of flooding adjacent to it," their report said.
The committee's recommendation to the council was to proceed with construction and to prepare a floodplain emergency management plan for removal of any structures in the event of a flood.
With the report before them, some councillors questioned whether the location could be reconsidered.
The resolution to construct the Ninja Park at Stephan Field was passed in September after community surveys and consultation.
Cr Michelle Herbert said the floodplain committee's recommendation to go ahead was not made lightly.
"There was extensive discussion and also about consulting with the tenderers about the equipment they were putting in - that it would be least obstructive to floods," Cr Herbert said.
"The skate park that's there build up is more of an obstruction than the removable thing."
Crs Jenny Webb and Chris Roylance agreed the location was the one preferred by the community.
Councillors adopted the floodplain committee's recommendation but also asked that council seek advice from the supplier on the impact flooding might have on the soft fall flooring.
Cr Graeme Miller recalled the surface of the carparks above the field "rolled up like a carpet" in earlier major flooding.
"Water is a very undermining force," he said. "I would like a guarantee .. that it's suitable for a high hazard floodway."
Cr Jeff Nicholson said he still had concerns.
"It's well and good taking away the walls but all these posts going up collect debris as the flood water come through," he said.
"Don't get me wrong, I think the Ninja Park is one of the best things and will see these kids playing outside ... but I'm concerned with the 15 houses in Renfree Street that will be in high flood area when we do get one of these large floods coming through."
