Public safety regulations are often put in place with the best intentions, but sometimes they spark heated debate—especially when they impact beloved community traditions.

A recent decision by one Australian council has left many frustrated.

Concerns are growing over how the move will affect local businesses and family celebrations.

A Queensland council faced backlash over its decision to ban jumping castles from popular parks, citing safety concerns and changes to workplace health and safety policies.

Townsville City Council introduced the ban following updates to WorkSafe Queensland’s code of practice, which came after a devastating accident in 2021 that claimed the lives of six children.

During an end-of-year celebration at Hillcrest Primary School in Devonport, Tasmania, a gust of wind lifted a jumping castle into the air, leading to the tragedy.

Council bans jumping castles after tragic accident. Image source: Facebook

In response, several organisations, including the Tasmanian Department of Education, prohibited the use of inflatables on their properties.

A spokesperson for Townsville City Council stated that the updated safety requirements meant inflatables must be anchored as securely as if they were staked into the ground.

‘Part of this requirement is that where a land-borne inflatable cannot be secured with ground stakes, the anchorage system should be able to withstand the same forces as though it were secured with ground stakes,’ the spokesperson said.

The council did not permit ground stakes unless proper procedures were followed to identify underground services due to the risk of damage.

Ben Stollznow, who runs Amusements Plus and provides inflatable attractions for events, said the ban would have a significant impact on his business.

He was informed that people booking council venues for functions were not allowed to have inflatables or jumping castles.

‘We do some soccer clubs that have over 100 kids when they do their break-up and they won’t be able to have jumping castles,’ he said.

Under the new rules, inflatables could only be used in council spaces if operators could prove compliance with all WHS legislation and council procedures.

Stollznow, who already paid more than $50,000 in public liability insurance, said the ban placed further strain on businesses like his.

‘We pay huge amounts of insurance to make sure we get it right, to get everything perfect and as per the council wants and this is very hard for business,’ he said.

‘It’s probably nearly un-Australian to say that a kid can’t have a jumping castle on their birthday, it’s a staple.’

He said he reached out to several Townsville City councillors, who confirmed they had raised the issue with CEO Joe McCabe but had not received a response.

‘I don’t know why they haven’t given us a reason yet,’ he said.

‘It all stems back to the tragic events that happened in Tasmania a few years ago.’

Stollznow emphasised that his inflatables were always supervised by trained operators and that safety remained his top priority.

In a previous story, councils across Australia called for stricter penalties on a common pedestrian violation, arguing it posed serious safety risks.

Now, with new restrictions on jumping castles, safety concerns continue to shape local policies.

Read more about the push for greater fines and how it could impact pedestrians.

Key Takeaways

• A Queensland council banned jumping castles in parks due to updated safety regulations after a 2021 tragedy.
• The ban has impacted local businesses, with operators saying it limits events and adds financial strain.
• Businesses can only use inflatables if they meet strict safety and compliance requirements.
• Affected operators have raised concerns with councillors but have not received a clear response.

With jumping castles now off-limits in Townsville’s parks, how do you think this will impact local events and businesses? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

 

[Luckyus]

As I've said before, once you've paid your mortgage you still carry on paying to the council?

 

[Rosi Gordon]

Maybe councils should have an area in its parks that you can see on a map for castle providers that there is no underground pipe or electrical structures and that the castles can be staked properly. I would assume that permission would be needed to erect a jumping castle in a public park from the local council so the area can be shown to them then.

 

[Rosi Gordon]

As I've said before, once you've paid your mortgage you still carry on paying to the council?

What does paying for a house got to do with the council? That really is a ridiculous statement. The local councils are the ones who use your land rates to pave paths, gutters, parks, street sweepers, car parks and maintain your town otherwise you would be living in the middle of the bush with nothing but trees, grass, mud and feral animals.

 

[Veggiepatch]

Maybe councils should have an area in its parks that you can see on a map for castle providers that there is no underground pipe or electrical structures and that the castles can be staked properly. I would assume that permission would be needed to erect a jumping castle in a public park from the local council so the area can be shown to them then.

There are strict regulations regarding the minimum depth that utilities are required to be underground.

You would need a damn long stake to get anywhere near these utilities.

 

[Rosi Gordon]

Councils should not have the authority to ban something, councilors are over stepping there what they are elected for, collecting rubbish and making sure roads are in good order period.

Councils do have the authority to ban things that are a safety risk to the people in the area. I pay my rates to ensure the council maintain safety infrastructures and protect the people. Maybe you should educate yourself in what
a local council can and can't do.

 

[Luckyus]

What does paying for a house got to do with the council? That really is a ridiculous statement. The local councils are the ones who use your land rates to pave paths, gutters, parks, street sweepers, car parks and maintain your town otherwise you would be living in the middle of the bush with nothing but trees, grass, mud and feral animals.

I unfortunately left something out? and what I meant was by using the term rent? it was meant in the context of you do pay rates as a house or land owner. unintentionally leaving something out of a statement is a affliction casual of various impedimenta something I hope you never acquire

 

[Veggiepatch]

What does paying for a house got to do with the council? That really is a ridiculous statement. The local councils are the ones who use your land rates to pave paths, gutters, parks, street sweepers, car parks and maintain your town otherwise you would be living in the middle of the bush with nothing but trees, grass, mud and feral animals.

You forgot that councils impose imaginary "infringement notices" for acts such as putting a "FOR SALE" sign on your car, parking in a public carpark for 30 seconds over the allotted time, having more than X number of cats on your private property and using a coffee maker before 7.00 am in contravention of the Noise Regulation Act 2056.

Councils are an unnecessary and the most corrupt tier of "government".

 

[Macarj]

Just because one mob didn't tie down the jumping castle properly shouldn't be an excuse to ban them

 

[relljube]

I would agree with the nanny state supposition however given that this particular instance is in Townsville, known for cyclones, I can understand the Council's reticence is having these inflated balloons bobbing around in the park waiting for a misfortune.

 

[Miss Chris]

Just because one mob didn't tie down the jumping castle properly shouldn't be an excuse to ban them

I agree…

 

[Miss Chris]

I’m old school where children are concerned and I think it’s a good thing to expose them to outdoor activities….. I think they become better adults in communication, can think for themselves, give respect where it’s deserved, and know their own worth…..Schools are there for educating the mind and hopefully for setting the older children up with skills that might help with looking for jobs…..of course education is helped by access to the internet. Mums, parents get worried about their kids and want to protect them from just about everything, I get that, I don’t think I’ve spent more than a day worrying about my two since before they were born, there’s always been temptation out there, there’s always been something that could hurt them, it’s a really tough world out there. But children shouldn’t be coddled, they should be allowed to explore their surroundings and learn how to do things properly, by making mistakes and getting hurt. A tragedy happened which resulted in the deaths of children, a tragedy that could have been avoided if the bouncy castle had been anchored properly. It shouldn’t mean that the activity should be stopped everywhere, but it should mean that lessons were learned to ensure it doesn’t happen again. All children are very precious, and they are our future, and they have to know there are risks and consequences as well as reward and opportunities….if they’re not exposed when they’re young and accepting, if they’re coddled and given everything and protected from everything, they’ll expect the same treatment when they’re grown…..

 

[mylittletibbies]

Just because one mob didn't tie down the jumping castle properly shouldn't be an excuse to ban them

It's not the first time. There's been 29 incidents in China 11 in the USA and 7 in the UK resulting in 28 child deaths.
Well past time they were banned.
It is beyond me why any reasonable parent would take the risk

 

[mylittletibbies]

Just because one mob didn't tie down the jumping castle properly shouldn't be an excuse to ban them

There have been 28 child deaths world wide. Do some research
Any parent who would take the risk needs their head read.

 

[mylittletibbies]

I’m old school where children are concerned and I think it’s a good thing to expose them to outdoor activities….. I think they become better adults in communication, can think for themselves, give respect where it’s deserved, and know their own worth…..Schools are there for educating the mind and hopefully for setting the older children up with skills that might help with looking for jobs…..of course education is helped by access to the internet. Mums, parents get worried about their kids and want to protect them from just about everything, I get that, I don’t think I’ve spent more than a day worrying about my two since before they were born, there’s always been temptation out there, there’s always been something that could hurt them, it’s a really tough world out there. But children shouldn’t be coddled, they should be allowed to explore their surroundings and learn how to do things properly, by making mistakes and getting hurt. A tragedy happened which resulted in the deaths of children, a tragedy that could have been avoided if the bouncy castle had been anchored properly. It shouldn’t mean that the activity should be stopped everywhere, but it should mean that lessons were learned to ensure it doesn’t happen again. All children are very precious, and they are our future, and they have to know there are risks and consequences as well as reward and opportunities….if they’re not exposed when they’re young and accepting, if they’re coddled and given everything and protected from everything, they’ll expect the same treatment when they’re grown…..

And they should also be protected .
Tbere are many other things that
they can do than bouncing around on an object that has killed 28 children in three other countries not counting these 6 in Australia.
This isn't about protecting children from everything it's about protecting them from bouncy castles that have caused so many deaths there's plenty of other things they can do. Why on earth would you take the chance
I personally value my grandchildren's lives much more than that.

 

[novezar]

Real jumping as we used to do as kids would be an alternative. I mean that we used to jump in sand for competion distance.
I loved to play hop scotch or run with my siblings and classmates.

The 'Dainty" game of hopscotch. How many uncountable thousands of kids, self included, used to play the game. Every now & then, you still see the remnants of the chalked out game on footpaths, which to me is good. Just goes to show, the game is still in vogue.

 

[Veggiepatch]

I would agree with the nanny state supposition however given that this particular instance is in Townsville, known for cyclones, I can understand the Council's reticence is having these inflated balloons bobbing around in the park waiting for a misfortune.

You wouldn't erect a jumping castle when there is a low pressure system of 980 hectopascals drifting 250 kms off the coast, would you?

 

[Miss Chris]

And they should also be protected .
Tbere are many other things that
they can do than bouncing around on an object that has killed 28 children in three other countries not counting these 6 in Australia.
This isn't about protecting children from everything it's about protecting them from bouncy castles that have caused so many deaths there's plenty of other things they can do. Why on earth would you take the chance
I personally value my grandchildren's lives much more than that.

Children are much tougher than they might seem…I think they should be exposed to various things, activities, that might be harmful as long as they’re supervised, until the parents are satisfied that the child is aware of any danger and knows what to do about that and of course there will be a few cuts and scratches as a result of trying new things…….Protected, but by way of supervision instead of just keeping them safe at home. Anyway, thank you for sharing your research regarding the deaths of children associated with bouncy castles….and it is a concern that these bouncy castles should be made completely safe so that children can still enjoy them…..I enjoy them too, but I’d like to check out the safety precautions put in place for any eventuality first….. and then make the choice of hiring one or not…..There’s always a choice but an informed choice would be best….

And they should also be protected .
Tbere are many other things that
they can do than bouncing around on an object that has killed 28 children in three other countries not counting these 6 in Australia.
This isn't about protecting children from everything it's about protecting them from bouncy castles that have caused so many deaths there's plenty of other things they can do. Why on earth would you take the chance
I personally value my grandchildren's lives much more than that.

 

[Veggiepatch]

Children are much tougher than they might seem…I think they should be exposed to various things, activities, that might be harmful as long as they’re supervised, until the parents are satisfied that the child is aware of any danger and knows what to do about that and of course there will be a few cuts and scratches as a result of trying new things…….Protected, but by way of supervision instead of just keeping them safe at home. Anyway, thank you for sharing your research regarding the deaths of children associated with bouncy castles….and it is a concern that these bouncy castles should be made completely safe so that children can still enjoy them…..I enjoy them too, but I’d like to check out the safety precautions put in place for any eventuality first….. and then make the choice of hiring one or not…..There’s always a choice but an informed choice would be best….

Dignity of risk versus duty of care comes into play.

There is a fine balance between the two.