Residents to have say in new skate park design

Local residents will get a say in the design of a new skate park at Umina oval, according to Central Coast Council.

Mayor Cr Jane Smith said "community feedback" would be used to guide the direction of the concept design for Umina Skate Park and plans for the adjoining open space areas, including the BMX pump track and half basketball court.

Once designed, the Council will seek funding for the project.

Cr Smith said the project would deliver a revitalised Peninsula Recreation Precinct, the parkland area located between Umina Oval and the beachfront.

An online survey is now open and "community engagement sessions" would be run in Umina from Friday, December 7, to Sunday, December 9.

Cr Smith said: "The community has told us they want to partner with Council and engage in meaningful dialogue so their participation is used to inform decisions.

"We have invested funding this year to engage a specialist contractor, Trinity Skate Parks, to run a number of community consultation sessions so together we can design a new recreational area that meets the needs of the local community."

Community members have been invited to provide their feedback via via the yourvoiceourcoast.com website until December 16.

The Umina Skate Park and precinct redevelopment section of the website said: "We have received strong community support for this project and are actively seeking funding from all levels of government for the redevelopment of the skate park."

The website provides three interactive tools for community members to provide feedback including a skate/scoot/bike survey, a precinct survey and an interactive map that enables users to leave comments on design.

There's also an option that allows community members to leave their email address so they can follow project updates.

A community information session will be held on site at the Umina Skate Park on Friday, December 7, between 4pm and 6pm,.

Another session in the Broken Bay Room, upstairs at the Umina Surf Life Saving Club, on Saturday, December 8 from 1pm to 3pm.

A final community session will be held at the Peninsula Recreation Precinct Playground area next to the Sydney Ave carpark entrance on Sunday, December 9, from 10am to 12pm.

Council has allocated funds for community consultation and the development of concept design and plans, which will then be used by Council to secure funding for the construction.

It is anticipated that the redevelopment will "provide additional socially inclusive recreational opportunities for a range of ages, abilities and sporting skills, attract families to congregate in the area, provide a safe and accessible venue for community activities and attract regional and significant community skate events".

"The design will complement and contribute to the recreation precinct in aesthetic value and functionality to improve connectivity and community engagement across the reserve," Cr Smith said.

Comments from the community will be collected, reviewed and "play an important part in the development of the concept design and other plans for this area".

The community would have the opportunity for further comment once the concept plans had been drafted.

According to the timeline for this project the concept design and other plans for the area are due to be developed in early 2019 along with a second round of community consultation.

Plans will be finalised in 2019 but there is no timeframe for the actual redevelopment as that will be contingent on Council's success at gaining government funding for the project.

SOURCE:

Media release, 27 Nov 2018

Website, 28 Nov 2018

yourvoiceourcoast.com

Jane Smith, Central Coast Council