Victoria Park East, Mahogany Gardens and Pappas Drive were earmarked for upgrade in the city council's budget, and last week tenders were awarded for the work to be carried out.

About two-thirds of the cost of the project will come from the council's playground renewal budget, but $106,000 will come from the extra rates it collected after it won approval to lift rates above the State Government-imposed cap.

The bulk of the $655,000 the council collected in extra rates was directed to footpath renewal.

The Mahogany Gardens Playground would undergo a $60,000 makeover which would include a all-abilities swing, climbing apparatus and a slide.

All paths would also be widened to 1.5 metres which would allow better access for wheelchairs and prams.

The two other playgrounds would undergo similar upgrades with a swing, slide and modular element expected to be installed.

When Cr Peter Hulin asked at last Monday's council meeting for more details about what would be included in each playground, he was told it would be similar to the newly installed $100,000 playground on the corner of Aberline and Whites roads.

Cr Sue Cassidy said that she was part of the team who helped install an all-abilities carousel at the $200,000 Cramer Street playground.

"You don't get much for your money when it comes to playgrounds I found out," she said.

"It is great news that we are doing three new playgrounds. We do have a renewal gap when it comes to playgrounds with 56 playgrounds out of 61 needing upgrades."

Cr Cassidy said it would be great if they could upgrade more each year because it would take a long time to replaceall 56 if the council only did three a year.

"Hopefully we can budget for a few more in the next budget," she said.

Cr Kylie Gaston said Warrnambool was fortunate to have 61 playgrounds.

"They're very important and happy places but they also need to be safe places," she said. "It's a big job and we need to keep at it."

Councillors voted unanimously to award the contract for $359,425 to renew the playgrounds.

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