Popular swing to return to Mosquito Point

The swing is one reason Mosquito Point is one of Whanganui's most popular swimming spots. Photo/Bevan Conley

The swing is returning to Mosquito Point.

Public demand and nostalgia has forced Whanganui district councillors to vote in favour of reinstating the popular swing against advice of staff and council policy.

The swing was removed from the popular Papaiti Rd swimming spot in July 2016 when rot was discovered in the pole.

It was expected to return but council staff decided against building a new one citing safety concerns.

The Whanganui River and its bank is not considered a safe landing zone under New Zealand playground standards meaning the swing is "significantly inconsistent" with the council's own parks and open spaces strategy.

Versions of the swing have been at the swimming spot for decades but it was first installed by the council in the early 2000s when the strategy wasn't in place.

But Whanganui Mayor Hamish McDouall told Tuesday's property and community services committee meeting there needed to be a balance between managing risk and responsibility.

"We've got to have our kids experiencing risk and understanding that if you're going to climb up a tall tree you could just fall off and break your elbow or worse.

"I think we will be viewed by the community as doing the right thing and I think we'll be viewed by the nation as doing the right thing."

Councillor Rob Vinsen said he knew of someone seriously injured jumping off the swing and asked if the council would be liable in that situation.

A report by council parks team leader Wendy Bainbridge said risk was "reputational" more than anything "should a user suffer a serious accident".

The committee voted in favour of a new swing built to minimise risk and to have signs warning users of the risks.

Councillor Alan Taylor had some concerns but understood "the community probably wants it".

"While no one has yet drowned apparently from falling off the swing into the river, it could happen."

But deputy mayor Jenny Duncan said the swing was part of Whanganui's heritage and people's memories of Whanganui "and it absolutely must be returned".

She said it was why Mosquito Point won Horizons Regional Council's favourite swim spot competition in 2016.

"I'm strongly in favour of building a swing that is safe and then safety from that point onwards is in the hands of the user.

"There comes a time where people need to show some personal responsibility and take some actions on their own part."

The Mosquito Point swing was removed in 2016 after rot was found. Photo/Bevan Conley

Councillor Josh Chandulal-Mackay said many council facilities, such as the skate park, posed risks.

"It's part of the thrill of using those facilities.

"I think as a council we have a responsibility to manage and minimise risk, I don't think we have a responsibility to eliminate risk."

Mr Chandulal-Mackay said people he had canvassed on Facebook were overwhelmingly in favour of the swing and he worried that if council didn't build it someone else would.

"That actually exposes the community to more risk and I think we're doing the responsible thing here by making sure we build a swing to a solid, compliant standard so that more people can enjoy it."