The push to establish a skate park in the Hallidays Point area has come to a standstill following a negative response from some members of the community.
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The Hallidays Point Skate Park committee had put forward three sites in Black Head and Diamond Beach with backing from MidCoast Council, the Halidays Point community Liaison and Progress Association, Black Head Surf Club, bowling club, Lions club and Landcare along with much of the community.
When the concept was mooted in early August the committee collected more than 600 signatures supporting the skate park.
However, the project has hit a snag with a small group of residents keen to put a stop to the establishment of a skate park claiming the site would have a negative impact on the community.
The group believe a skate park would attract drugs and alcohol and unsocial behaviour, and asked why council was supporting the project financially.
MidCoast Council community spaces, recreation and trades manager, Dan Aldridge was keen to dispel some of the negative comments and rumours.
He said funding for the project would come in the way of community support and/or through a State government sport and recreation grant.
He estimated the cost would be around $80,000.
Mr Aldridge said a skate park in Hallidays Point would be much the same as facilities at Nabiac and Smiths Lake.
It would not be along the scale of Taree or Tuncurry, he said.
Council planned to re-visit the project following the September elections.
The committee had proposed two sites at Black Head and one at Diamond Beach.
Committee member Cathy Turville said they had received lots of positive support for the project.
She believed just three members of the community had rejected the skate park with some claiming it would bring drugs into the area and little while another person said they would be nervous walking past the park.
“If kids want to smoke pot, they will go down to the beach,” Cathy said.
The committee’s plan is to have a well designed skate park, with input from local youth.
The committee believe that by encouraging young people to take part in the development and maintenance of the area they will take pride in what they have achieved and keep it clean and tidy.
Jeanene Duncan
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
