Wattle Range Council was deadlocked on Tuesday night over a motion to disperse the playground equipment from the closed Tantanoola Primary School at a cost of up to $100,000.


The amendment to move the equipment to Millicent and Tantanoola was split four/four and Mayor Des Noll cast his vote in favour.


The amendment then became the motion with Councillor Emma Castine switching her vote to allow it to pass five/three.


The successful motion was at odds with a staff recommendation to divide the playground equipment to four locations.


They were the Millicent Lions Park, Tantanoola central parklands, Tantanoola north parkland and the newly-created play area at the rear of the Tantanoola Institute Hall.


The staff recommendation was moved but then successfully amended by Cr John Drew and Deputy Mayor Cr Peter Dunnicliff.


Only four small pieces will be retained at Tantanoola for the weekly play group which meets at the Tantanoola Institute Hall with the remainder moved to Millicent.


Cr Drew made a passionate case to create additional recreational facilities for children living near the Millicent Lions Park.


He said they were distant from other playgrounds and many of the families did not have vehicles.


Based on census figures, Cr Drew estimated there were 300 children in that area and the average weekly household income was $300 less than Tantanoola.


“We should be doing as much as humanly possible,” Cr Drew said.


Cr Dunnicliff said the Angela Fensom Memorial Playground at the Tantanoola Oval was well used but he had not seen any children at the playground at the central parklands.


The staff report noted that Tantanoola Primary School closed in 2019 and the playground equipment has been gifted to the council by the Education Department,


Engineering Services director Peter Halton said firm removal costings were not yet known and would depend on the need for soft fall, repairs etc.


Mr Halton said the Tantanoola Oval was not a council reserve.


Earlier in the meeting, council had considered a written and verbal submission about the fate of the playground equipment from Tantanoola Playgroup leader and Tantanoola Progress Association president Sue Lines.


She called on the council to retain the playground equipment in Tantanoola.


Ms Lines was unaware of the staff report and recommendation. After she was shown it, Ms Lines said it “seems ideal”.


Tuesday’s meeting lasted almost 4.5 hours with around 40pc of the discussions held behind closed doors.


The outcome of talks relating to the Limestone Coast Local Government Association and the annual performance review of council chief executive Ben Gower remain in confidence