Calls for after hours school access

Mrs Smith said her grandchildren used to play at Mt Lawley Primary School's grassed area but after a fire destroyed the historic school and the buildings were rebuilt, the grassed area was fenced off.

Mrs Smith said as a public school, children in the area should be able to use Mt Lawley Primary School's facilities after school hours.

"It seems ridiculous that children cannot play there," she said. �Other people around here have made comments about it as well.

"Now it's fenced off like a school in New York."

Mt Lawley principal Don Barber said the play area had always been fenced off for safety reasons.

"It is standard practice at public schools," Mr Barber said.

�After 4.30pm or 5pm, we have to ask people to leave because there is no one on site anymore.

"It's exactly the same as it was before."

Mr Barber said if a child was to fall and hurt themselves, it would raise questions over who was at fault.

"They need to seek permission from us; community organisations use the grounds because they have insurance that covers them," he said. "There are basketball courts not far from the school where kids can go."

Mrs Smith said the nearest playground was some distance away and past a main road that would be dangerous for young children to cross.