A growing community petition is calling on Noosa Council to restore and redevelop a popular beachfront playground, with residents arguing the facility has been left partially dismantled for years.
The online petition, launched by local resident Traci Castle, had attracted almost 700 signatures within days and is urging council to replace equipment at Peregian Beach playground that has been removed over the past five years.
Ms Castle, who has lived in Peregian Beach for 15 years and has a five-year-old daughter, said the petition was sparked by ongoing frustration among local families who regularly use the beachfront park.
“We’ve been left with half a playground,” she said.
“People keep asking what’s happening with it. Every time you go there, the conversation is the same. It’s become embarrassing.”
The petition states the playground has become a “shadow of its former self” and argues the remaining facilities no longer meet the needs of local families or visitors.
Ms Castle said when she first began visiting the playground about six years ago, it included a flying fox, multiple slides, climbing equipment and two swings.
Over time, sections were removed and fenced off, with a large area now sitting vacant where equipment once stood.
A review of historical Google Street View imagery from about eight years ago shows a larger playground footprint than exists today, including equipment that has since been removed.
Noosa Mayor Frank Wilkie confirmed he met with the lead petitioner at the site last week and said he shared community concerns about the need for a replacement playground.
The mayor said the project was one of several key initiatives being considered by councillors as part of the 2026-27 capital works budget, which is due to be adopted later this month.
“Initial concept designs for the beachfront park playground are in progress, which will give the project a head start if ratified by councillors at the June budget meeting,” he said.
Questions have also been raised about a missing swing. Ms Castle said residents had been told a replacement was not planned due to concerns about load-bearing capacity.
Ms Castle said many parents now travel to other playgrounds rather than use the beachfront facility.
“So many people have commented that they don’t even go there anymore,” she said.
“It breaks the community connection because families aren’t staying in the area and supporting the local businesses.”
The petition also raises concerns about the playground’s bark surface, with some parents claiming it creates excessive dust when children play.
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Noosa Council said it regularly inspected its playgrounds to ensure they remained compliant with Australian safety standards.
Related story: Parent-led petition calls for urgent playground upgrades
Ms Castle said she planned to formally submit the petition ahead of budget deliberations and hoped councillors would support a full replacement.
“We just want a fully functioning playground again while our children are still young enough to enjoy it,” she said.
