Trees force change, delay on skate park plan

Jessica Benton
Fears over potential damage to moonah trees have halted plans for a skate park at Barwon Heads.
Barwon Heads Skate Park committee spokesperson Chris Crook said the trees would force changes to the design.
Mr Crook said the project would still go ahead but would probably be delayed because residents were worried its impact on the trees.
“We just want the skate park to be built,” he said.
“We’ve been petitioning for this since 2003, so it’s been a long time coming.”
Mr Crook said the construction company set to build the skate park had come up with a new design ensuring the moonah trees would stay in place unharmed.
“The new design actually incorporates the trees in the middle of the park,” he said.
“I think, visually, it will be a better result, as the park will be broken up by the vegetation.”
Mr Crook said residents had also raised concerns about noise, leading to inclusion of sound barriers in the plan.
“Part of the application was to put up sound barriers,” he said.
“As a committee we’re saying it wasn’t our choice to put those up but the committee accepts that this is what we have to live with.
“At the end of the day, it’s about the kids getting their skate park.”
Ward councillor Peter McMullin said he shared the committee’s “frustration”.
“There have been unacceptable delays in this process and I’ve been pressuring council officers to get on with it,” he said.
“I’ve allocated $225,000 from this year’s budget to ensure the skate park is complete on time and effectively. It’s an exciting new project for Barwon Heads and the sooner it starts the better.”
Cr McMullin expected work to start on August 4.
The only native vegetation that would be removed from the area would be planted boobialla, he said.