Forum on new Australind skate park

Leading skate park design and construction company Convic and consulting firm, A Balanced View Leisure Consultancy Service have been engaged to conduct a study regarding a new skate park in Australind and are calling for community participation in the form of a users’ survey and a community information session.

Picture: Renae Bernardi and Sabine Heidt

The Harvey Shire Council is inviting members of the community to attend a forum, where representatives fromConvicwill be available to answer questions and talk to the community about their vision for the proposed upgrade.

For Australind resident Sabine Heidt the information session represents well over 12 months of hard work, petitioning for the upgrade.

Frustrated by the poor skate facilities in the area, Sabine and her son Nigel, a keen skater and scooter enthusiast, began the group Better and Bigger Australind Skate Park and have been vocalising the need for an improved skate park ever since.

‘‘Convic are world leaders in skate park construction and design, they are renowned for consulting with the community in terms of design,’’ Mrs Heidt said.

Renae Bernardi, an Australind resident and skate park action group member, said an upgrade was a worthwhile investment.

‘‘We need to consider the kids that will grow up here in the future,’’ she said.

A Better and Bigger Skate Park for Australind members believe the whole community would benefit from better skate facilities in Australind.

‘‘Most afternoons, the Bunbury skate park is packed with skaters and scooter riders,’’ they said.

‘‘These youths buy food and drinks and spend their money in Bunbury, but if we had a bigger park in Australind, that business would stay here.’’

The community information session will be held at Leschenault Leisure Centre on February 11 from noon to 12.45pm, where consultants from Convic will be available to discuss the proposed development with community members.

The Australind Skate Park Study survey can be completed at www.harvey.gov.au or find copies at the Australind Library.