Fenced-off firepits for East End
A popular East End winter event’s firepits are being enclosed by safety barriers despite operating for years without incident and Illuminate firepits are also being fenced off ahead of a council safety review.
Fire pits in the East End now have safety barriers. Photos supplied.
Adelaide City Council said on Wednesday that “temporary barriers” were being installed around five firepits on Vardon Avenue which are part of its Winter Weekends program in the East End.
The decision followed “meetings with concerned community members regarding the potential for injury”, the council said.
The barriers are on top of other safety measures already in place including fire marshals, fire extinguishers and fire blankets, council said.
The new temporary barriers on Rundle St. Photo: supplied
Illuminate Adelaide organisers have also been directed to install safety barriers around their firepits on Rundle Street and in Rundle Park.
Acting Lord Mayor Phillip Martin said the firepits had operated without incident for more than five years but council needed to respond to community concerns.
“Public safety is paramount in everything we do as a council,” Martin said in a statement.
“We need to respond to the concerns of our community, and I have committed to ensuring we would take additional action to help address these concerns.
“I acknowledge the firepits have been a successful staple in the East End and around the city for more than five years without incident and have helped to unlock improved winter vibrancy and activation.”
A firepit in front of The Laneway On Ebenezer. Photo: supplied (2020)
The council also said it would commission an independent safety review into the firepits and the temporary barriers will remain in place until the results of the review are finalised.
“The review and inclusion of barriers is to ensure they are as safe as possible for the community,” Martin said.
“Council looks forward to the review getting underway and, in the meantime, I encourage people to enjoy our Winter Weekends and Illuminate Adelaide which helps shake those winter blues and further activates the city.”
A council spokesperson said the community members who raised concerns with council included medical professionals and children’s safety charity Kidsafe SA.
Adelaide City Council has budgeted $200,000 for its Winter Weekends program in 2023/24.
The program, which tours across the city with outdoor seating, firepits and live music, is running on Fridays and Saturdays from June 2 to August 26.
