Townsville Council bans jumping castles despite public backlash

Townsville City Council has banned jumping castles from local parks. This decision has sparked backlash, with some calling the ban "un-Australian." The council made this move following a tragic incident in 2021 that resulted in the deaths of six children in Tasmania when a jumping castle was lifted by strong winds during a school event. The council's spokesperson cited changes in workplace health and safety regulations as the reason for the ban. New safety policies require that if inflatables cannot be secured with stakes, they must have an anchorage system that meets strict safety standards. The council also mentioned concerns about hitting underground services when using ground stakes. Ben Stollznow, who runs a business providing jumping castles for events, expressed his frustration. He noted that many community events, especially those for children, rely on inflatables for entertainment. He believes that without access to council venues, his business will suffer significantly. Stollznow also emphasized that his inflatables are supervised by trained operators, prioritizing safety. Despite raising the issue with local councillors, he feels that clarity from the council is lacking. He stated that banning jumping castles takes away an important part of children's celebrations, especially birthday parties, and that it feels unjust.