Galvanised and tuned woks, a rope car wash, solar powered cubby house lights, furry-leaved plants, rows of lavender and edible herbs combine to create Australia’s first set of inclusive sensory neighbourhood playgrounds on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

The playgrounds are the result of an innovative partnership between Northern Beaches Council and a local family, frustrated by the lack of inclusiveness in small playgrounds for their son and the wider community.

The sensory playgrounds project, spanning five sites across Belrose, came about when local mum and dad Caroline Ghatt and Tim Smith, co-founders of Play For All Australia, challenged Council on social media to re-imagine playground designs so there could be places of exploration and play for all children – including those with a disability.

This led to a conversation, which led to a Council meeting, then a policy change and resulted in a pilot playground project known as the Belrose Inclusive Play Pilot.

Mayor Michael Regan said the nine month project, now complete and open to the public, was an exciting and unprecedented community and Council partnership that really pushed the boundaries.

“I'm thrilled to say that Council and Play for All Australia have demonstrated what can be done when you think innovatively,” Mayor Regan said.

"While councils do focus on making our larger playgrounds inclusive, like adding wheelchair accessible swings and sensory areas, we haven’t until now had a viable and creative solution that helps us think differently about how we can make the hundreds of smaller suburban playgrounds inclusive too.

"This initiative has shown just what can be achieved in smaller playgrounds, to deliver inclusion cost-effectively.”

Caroline Ghatt of Play For All Australia said she was excited to work with the Council on this innovative project.

“What makes it more impressive is that through partnership with local educators, community and creative minds, we were able to design, prototype and manufacture all of the equipment on the Northern Beaches to give back to the local economy,” Ms Ghatt said.

“We are excited to see families and children of all ages and abilities enjoying the new spaces.

"Unlike traditional local playgrounds, each of these five play spaces offers a unique experience by taking inspiration from one of the senses so that all children can participate.

"What young child doesn't love to feel, smell and hear things in their surroundings? Through kitchen garden herbs, lights that the kids control, drums and lots of tactile plants, the kids get a real hit to every sense.

"This project is a great testament to how local partnerships and collaboration with Council can make a real difference to our community."

The new playgrounds are in Belrose at Lindrum Reserve, Maple Reserve, Windrush Reserve, Pusan Reserve and Wentworth Reserve.