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  • 1 week ago
An Adelaide Hills nature-based education program is being forced to move or even close after the Mount Barker Council raised safety concerns. Forest School has been running at its current location for the past year but authorities fear its non-compliant and a risk to children.

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00:01An idyllic winter morning making muddy memories and creative concoctions.
00:07I really love forestry school so much.
00:11I like getting muddy.
00:12Basically it's about getting kids out into nature, getting their wiggles out, you know,
00:18particularly for kids who can't necessarily sit still in an indoor environment.
00:22Bell Gower started the forest school in Kaipo before making an embo park at Mount Barker its base.
00:28But its days here are likely numbered.
00:31Where is the air everywhere?
00:34We got an email from council telling us that we were required to cease operation immediately,
00:41which was a huge shock.
00:42In its email the council said it's concerned about damage to trees, fire pits, swings
00:47and the site's proximity to the freeway.
00:50It's asked the school to submit a formal application so the council can assess planning and safety requirements.
00:56The school says it got approval from park management and insists the program is safe.
01:02I would not say that anything we have here is wildly dangerous.
01:05If the tyre swing is the problem we're happy to take the tyre swing down.
01:09If the campfire is the problem we're happy.
01:11I mean even though we had a permit for the fire we're happy to stop doing that.
01:15The forest school has secured a new temporary home at a local scouts hall but the families
01:21and teachers here say this location is where the school should stay.
01:26I would love for us to continue using this space but I feel that is not going to be the
01:33outcome.
01:33It's heartbreaking.
01:34They've just adapted so well to this environment.
01:37They've made it their own.
01:38They call it home.
01:39Stay for a school!
01:40The school will reconvene at its new site next week.
01:44Door sketches
01:46window
01:46window
01:46contains
01:47content
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