Skate park disrepair disheartening for Maleny community

By Sonia Isaacs

A DESPERATELY needed upgrade to a much-loved skate park could be delayed by another seven years despite an already years long battle for improvements as frustrated locals rally to demand immediate action.

Local riders of the Maleny Skate Park are calling on Sunshine Coast Council to prioritise a much-needed upgrade to the skate park, which has fallen into disrepair despite nearly a decade of discussion, design plan approval and the rubberstamp to go ahead.

Council said an existing half-pipe would soon be replaced with a new eight-metre wide half pipe with a high performance Skatelite wear surface.

But while a design for the main concrete section has been completed, there is no budget for construction.

Residents were shocked when they were told recently they could be waiting until 2030 before the upgrade was budgeted. In response they have organised a petition, which has already gained 800 signatures, and are planning a community event on April 13 to highlight their concerns.

Witta resident and mother of two teenage sons, Amy Wilson, said she was a regular visitor to the park and in the past six years had observed a marked increase in usage of the facility at the same time as the facility deteriorated.

“Over the past few months, I’ve regularly counted approximately 35 kids of all ages using the skate park daily,” she said.

“While there is an inclusive atmosphere with people using the shared space with appropriate care, the sheer volume of children and young adults in that space is a difficulty as Maleny skate park remains one of the smallest and oldest skate parks on the Sunshine Coast.”

She said the community was desperately in need of free facilities for youth, families and the young-at-heart and cited ongoing concerns around the safety and amenity of the Council-owned facility that was uneven and weathered.

Ms Wilson said the skate park was often unusable during winter and the wetter months due to increased debris from the surrounding trees creating a damp environment prone to mould and increased accidents.

Maleny resident and professional skateboarder, Curtis Hay, said he had been involved in the original push to improves facilities dating back to 2015.

Recently, returning to Maleny, he said he was totally disheartened to see the ongoing level of neglect and disrepair at the skate park.

He said years of weather exposure and ground movement had impacted the facility and he felt it was just not being maintained adequately.

“While I might just be an old skateboarder that’s returned back to Maleny, I’m going to continue to make noise and point out the fact that it is a council asset that is not being maintained. I’d just like a safe space to skate and share with the community,” said Mr Hay.

Division 5 Councillor, Winston Johnston, acknowledged the Maleny Skate park required restoration and repair work, and said it was important for council to provide facilities to keep young people active and engaged. He said while council had immediate plans to replace the rusted half pipe over coming months, he had been surprised to learn that the planned refurbishment of the overall facility had been deferred to 2030 and he would be working with the community and Council to try and bring the project forward.

A Sunshine Coast Council spokesperson confirmed Council undertook a comprehensive audit of the region’s skate parks between June 2021 and June 2022 which documented the status and identified opportunities for improvements.

They also confirmed they had been liaising with the Maleny community on a design for the skate park which is planned to be upgraded in two stages. “The new ramp will be installed this year, subject to contractor availability,” the spokesperson said.

“A design has also been established for the concrete section of the skate park and is subject to funding.

“Sunshine Coast Council has 29 skate parks across our region and undertakes $200,000 worth of maintenance works each year to improve our skate parks. “Further improvements will be considered each year based on available funding and priorities.”

To find out more or support the local campaign , visit www.facebook. com/MalenySkateboardCommunity or www.change.org/p/maleny-skateparkmaintenance