Following years of lobbying by the Hallidays Point community, MidCoast Council has given its tick of approval to the establishment of a skate park.
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At last month's June ordinary meeting, councillors approved the preferred site at Wylie Breckenridge Park, Black Head.
However, with no budget set aside for the construction or design of the facility, the community now has to source funding for the project.
"Although we don't yet have a budget to design or construct a skate park at Blackhead, we have now identified a suitable site and will be able to work with community members to seek funding sources for a future facility," MidCoast Council community spaces, recreation and trades manager, Dan Aldridge said.
To ensure concerns from the Black Head Bazaar organisers were addressed, council will complete a car park management plan for the area before the skate park is installed, Mr Aldridge said.
The area that has been chosen for the skate park is located at the edge of the area the Bazaar use for car parking on the nine occasions it is held each year, so ensuring the safety of all involved is important, Mr Aldridge said.
Wylie Breckenridge, which hosts the monthly Black Head Bazaar from October to April, was identified the preferred location by both the community and council earlier this year.
Hallidays Point resident Claire Pontin said MidCoast Council was looking for a compromise between the bazaar and skate park committees.
This approval was the key to exploring our (funding) options.
- Simon Duber
"This is the best compromise possible; it was never going to please everyone," she said.
"It (bazaar) is very popular; we were keen for it not to have a significant impact on the bazaar," she said.
As both a resident and councillor, Cr Pontin said there had been a need for a skate park for many years.
"The area needs more facilities for young kids."
While three trees would be removed to accommodate the skate park, council has assured these would be replaced with 10 additional trees and two squirrel glider nesting boxes.
Council senior ecologist will advise on suitable species.
Hallidays Point Community Skatepark committee member, Simon Duber said his group was thrilled with council's decision.
"It's been such a long standing battle; it's been going on for decades," Mr Duber said.
"This approval was the key to exploring our (funding) options," he said.
He explained without council approval the group would not have been able to source funding for the project.
"We are hoping to work towards getting funds through grant opportunities.
"Fundraising is difficult and we believed the community should have money in their pockets to spend at local businesses."
Mr Duber said council and the community had been very supportive of the project
Mr Aldridge said Council values the positive working relationship with community partners to develop the best solutions to meet recreational needs and preserve environmental values.
In resolving the position for the skate park at a recent council meeting, councillors also resolved to investigate if there was a suitable location for a toilet block in the vicinity, he said.
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