Skate fight ignored

Jessica Benton
A community group has accused Geelong’s council of losing interest in their fight for a controversial skate park at Barwon Heads.
Barwon Heads Skate Park committee member Chris Crook said support from City of Greater Geelong had evaporated since objectors raised concerns about the proposed park’s environmental impact.
“I’m starting to wonder whether council is even trying hard enough,” Mr Crook said.
“Of course the money is allocated for the project but I have a nagging thought that council doesn’t really want us to win in this location at all.”
The group also lost the ear of its ward councillor after Peter McMullin announced he was moving back to Melbourne to contest the city’s mayoral election.
Cr McMullin did not return the Independent’s call for comment about the skate park battle.
In response to Mr Crook’s claims, City of Greater Geelong community infrastructure general manager Dean Frost said a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribual hearing would hand down the final decision on the project.
Mr Frost said residents had lodged 15 objections based on the skate park’s impact on native vegetation.
Mr Crook said the tribunal hearing next month meant Barwon Heads kids would miss out on the skate park this summer regardless of the VCAT decision.
“I’m betting we won’t have it before Christmas,” he said.
The plans are set to go before the state’s planning tribunal after the objectors sought a VCAT order against the project, alleging the skate park could damage moonah trees on the site.
Objectors’ group member Sharon Wilkie told the Independent earlier this year she was also worried about bullying, fighting and vandalism around the skate park.
In response, Mr Crook said the objectors had “fear and ignorance” of teenage boys and skating.