Skate delay anger

Kim Waters
Objectors have angered Barwon Heads residents after dragging plans for a skate park to the state’s planning tribunal, according to a group behind the project.
Barwon Heads skate park committee’s Chris Cook said the five-year-old project now faced further delays at Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Mr Cook accused a small group of residents and annual holidaymakers of “being just plain mean” to Barwon Heads kids desperate for the skate park.
He believed the objectors had “fear and an ignorance” of teenage boys and skating.
“It’s ‘Welcome to Barwon Heads – just don’t bring your teenage sons’,” Mr Cook said.
“We’re bewildered by their narrow mindedness.”
Mr Crook said the objectors were using “every avenue” to stop the skate park. Construction was scheduled to begin on August 4 until residents raised concerns about potential damage to moonah trees on the site.
Mr Cook said the VCAT objection focused on the removal of vegetation.
“But no moonah trees will be removed,” Mr Crook said.
“Council is spending over $80,000 to build the park around vegetation, so it would only remove some bushes and a few gum trees. We know it has nothing to do with vegetation removal – they just don’t want a skate park.”
Mr Crook said the project had “overwhelming” community and council support.
Community infrastructure and recreation general manager Dean Frost said City of Greater Geelong would argue in favour of the skate park at VCAT.
“The City’s case at VCAT will point out that any native plants removed to facilitate construction of the skate park will be replaced with a greater number of plants of an appropriate native species,” he said.
Objectors’ group member Sharon Wilkie said she was concerned about the environmental impact.
“We’re opposed to it mostly for environmental reasons,” she said.
“The new design places some of the moonah trees right in the middle of the skate park and their root systems are very fragile.
“As it’s so close to a highly vegetated area, we think it’s dangerous for the children.”
Ms Wilkie said the committee was also worried about bullying, fighting and vandalism.
“We’re concerned for vandalism especially because it’s less than 30 metres from homes,” she said.