Despite opposition from within the council, construction on an "all abilities" playground will commence in Lightning Ridge within the next few weeks.

Councillors have approved the partnership with the NSW Government to build an inclusive play space at Lions Park next to the Visitor Information Centre on Bill O'Brien Way.

"The park intends to create a sensory experience for children with disabilities. It's about access," said Megan Dixon, General Manager of Walgett Shire Council. "It's an all abilities play opportunity".

The park will be built next to the existing playground; a decision made after three rounds of community consultation and the scrapping of the original idea which would have seen it built under large powerlines.

The play space will prominently feature public art, becoming a distinctive landmark at the town's entrance.

The playground will include shade and vegetation for cooling, a play tower complete with a platform, climbing net, and slide, misting boulders, a balance trail, musical play elements, a hand-cranked fan and a hammock swing. It will also feature a cooling wall.

To ensure accessibility for all ages and abilities, the play space includes features such as a footpath from the adjacent car park, ramped access to the play platform, seating areas, and access to drinking water.

A prospective design of the "all abilities playground". Image: Supplied.

However, the playground has not been universally welcomed by all councillors - with a council decision to go ahead with the project narrowly passing with three votes to two.

The most vocal opponent has been Councillor Colin Hundy.

He has said that while the bulk of the funding - $431,000 has come from Government with close to $80,000 contributed by council, there was ongoing maintenance and repairs cost to consider.

Councillor Hundy said "If I had a child with a disability, a mining town is the last place I would take a child who fits under that category."

Councillor Hundy. Image: Walgett Shire Council.

"Our average tourist is 60 years of age," he said at the November 28 Walgett Shire Council meeting "Just because they put up a grant doesn't mean we have to take it."

He also suggested that it could be located near the Opal Park rather than Lions Park as "tourists don't tend to go Lions Park".

However, former mayor and current councillor Jane Keir stepped in to defend the project saying, "I think it will be an asset to Lightning Ridge. It adds to the tourist attraction."

"The community has been consulted on the locations three times," Ms Dixon said at the meeting.

"The sentiment was mixed. People who are against possibly haven't understood what the intent of the park is about".

"It puts all the recreation space together. It does make sense in terms of clustering the play equipment," Ms Dixon added. "It's a sensible location."

The motion to build the park was carried by a whisker and is due to be completed by June 30 2024.