The first council in the North-West has acted to ban the use of large recreational inflatables on land it owns.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
In the wake of the Hillcrest Primary School tragedy, the Waratah-Wynyard Council has banned jumping castles and zorb balls being used at events on land it owns and operates.
"It is our responsibility as a community to help minimise the trauma of those affected by this tragedy by banning the use of large inflatables at this time," Cr Walsh said in a statement on Tuesday.
"In addition to minimising the trauma of those impacted by the incident at Hillcrest Primary School,[the council] wishes to minimise the risk of future incidents resulting in injury or loss of life.
"[We are] safeguarding our community from hazards that have the potential devastate families, friends and the wider community.
"Until safety measures are thoroughly reviewed, the ban on jumping castles, zorb balls and the like will remain."
Six children died when a wind gust lifted a jumping castle 10m into the air at the Hillcrest Primary School in December.
Three more children were seriously injured and spent weeks recovering in hospital.
More than $1.5 million was raised to support the families of those involved, and though the state government has covered initial costs including funerals, the funds raised remain undistributed.
Cr Walsh shared his council's sympathy with the families of those who died.
"Our hearts go out to the loved ones of the six children who lost their lives at Hillcrest Primary School," he said.