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If you can handle the lengthy read, below are the reasons why Pittwater Council approved the Mona Vale Skate Park

Why Council is going to upgrade the skate park

In discussions between Council and young people over recent years the main issue raised by young people is always the availability of leisure and recreation activities. Consultation with young people indicated that the traditionally higher risk sports such as BMX biking and skateboarding are very popular among young men. In addition to entertainment, young people said that they wanted places to meet or ‘hang out’ outside of school. The NSW Government’s Youth Policy states that not all leisure for young people needs to be structured.
In addition to family and school, participation in recreational activities is an important influence in the development and growth of young people.
One of the strategies that Council has developed to meet the recreational needs of young people is to create youth precincts centered on the skate parks at Avalon and Mona Vale. (source: Pittwater Council Management Plan 2008-2012).

Main considerations in designing and locating  the Mona Vale skate park are

The main considerations in designing and locating the skate park are consistent with the NSW Department of Planning’s Guidelines for Skateboard Facilities (1989) including:

located in an area with good visibility for surveillance, good access and where
public transport is available; ␣

well designed to cater for a range of skill levels and providing challenges for both
new and advanced skaters; ␣

specified allowable uses such as in-line skating (rollerblading), skateboarding and
bikes etc.; ␣

design with minimal risk to users – designed and constructed by experts, promote
codes of use; ␣

provide a site-specific maintenance program – assist in preventing injuries, address
issues such as graffiti, hours of use and community support; and ␣

locate away from residential areas.

Why Kitchener Park is the most suitable location for the skate park facility

Kitchener Park is the most suitable location of the skate park facility because:
␣ the site has an established use by young people – there is an existing skate park on the site that requires upgrading;

␣ Kitchener Park contains sufficient land to construct the skate facility without compromising the open space recreational uses of the park;

␣ The police station is adjacent,situated across Pittwater Road;

␣ an ambulance station is nearby at Narrabeen and Mona Vale Hospital is located
near the skate park facility;

␣ Mona Vale and surrounding areas (Warrriewood / Ingleside)have the fastest
growing populations and the largest concentration of young people at 3,491 people this is almost half the total youth population of 8,233 (under 17 years). (2006 Census);

␣ the site is well served by public transport and accessible by foot and private vehicles, parking available on site;

␣ separated from nearby homes to avoid noise nuisance. (noise may impact on Mona Vale Bowling Club members as discussed further on);

␣ existing infrastructure including access roads, parking, rest rooms, bubblers, shaded
areas;

␣ MonaVale retail outlet is adjacent providing a range of services including food and
beverage; and

␣ surveillance can be provided from Pittwater Road and adjacent playing fields.

Who will use the skate park and how?

The skate park is a Regional facility intended to provide for the 8, 233 young people living in Pittwater local government area (2006 Census), however being a large facility it will attract people from out of the area, therefore ongoing assessment will be required to develop appropriate management practices.
The intensity of use of the skate park is anticipated to fluctuate. The skate park is intended for informal active and passive recreation that will increase during the weekend, after school hours and school holiday periods. Larger scale events such as skate demonstrations, training and events will be permissible on occasions subject to Council approval.
The type of use will include in-line skating (rollerblading), skateboarding and bikes etc. Combining skateboarding and BMX riding at one facility has been known to create safety issues if riders use the facility at the same time; however this is how many skate parks operate due to financial constraints. Management practices will need to address safety issues relating to the combined uses.
Additional information on how the skate park is intended to be used and managed is included in the Action Table in this document.

How will the skate park facility be managed?

1. Hours of operation

␣ Sunday to Thursday- until 9.00pm

␣ FridaytoSaturday- until 11.00pm

Kitchener Park Plan of Management

1.It is difficult to assess the impact of the skate park prior to operation, in response the facility will be trialled for a 12 month period. After the trial period Council will review the impact of the skate park and make necessary adjustments in consideration of the management of the facility including hours of use and hours of lighting based on comments received from the public.

2. Lighting conditions
The following conditions will apply to lighting:

␣ lighting will comply with the relevant Australian Standards and be designed withsuitable reflectors / baffles to prevent inappropriate light spillage onto Pittwater Road and surrounding areas; and

␣ lights will be on a timer switch on an automatic overdrive and turned off at the appropriate times

3. Noise
Noise is divided into two sources – noise generated by the physical skating activity and secondary noise (voices and amplified noise) from the users. Council considers that general use of the skate park would not create ‘offensive’ noise from either source.
Further, the skate park is distanced from residents with Pittwater Road forming a barrier to the west and Mona Vale Bowling Club forming a barrier to the south.    The skate facility, and noise may impact on members of the bowling club, particularly during the weekends, evenings, public holidays and school holidays. It is difficult to assess the effect of the skate park on the bowling club, however vegetation will be planted between the two facilities and the noise will be monitored with further measures investigated following assessment of the facility in operation.
Noise is to be controlled to the satisfaction of Council and in accordance with the Protection of the Environment Operations Act, 1997 (PEOA).

4. Event management
Event organisers will be required to provide a management plan that includes how the following issues will be managed:
Sound from activities, amplifiers, microphone, equipment etc is to be mitigated to the satisfaction of Council in order to comply with the Protection of the Environment Operations Act, 1997. Evidence of the proposed noise mitigation procedures for the event is to be submitted to Council with the event application/booking form. Council will enforce penalties against the applicant for breaches of noise minimisation requirements that result in “offensive noise” under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act, 1997.

a) Waste management

Event organisers are responsible for the supply of bins, collection services and retrieval of bins for waste generated at events. All litter generated by the events are required to be transported from the site, by a private waste contractor, to an authorised waste disposal facility.

b)Damage and graffiti

Event organisers will be required to pay a bond for events that will recover any
costs associated with vandalism / graffiti.

5. Antisocial behaviour
Antisocial behaviour will be addressed by the following measures:

monitor progress, including the number of people attending, number of complaints
concerning antisocial behaviour, feedback from users;

create a defined sense of place that appeals to young people and consider
murals and posters to assist in controlling graffiti; and

the design of the park caters to younger and older skateboarders, a cross section of age groups at the park will prevent anti social behaviour

provide recycle bins for litter.

6. Safety of skate park users
Safety will be addressed by including the following measures:

␣ install signage outlining safety policies and procedures;

␣ host demonstrations or clinics with a safety focus;

␣ strongly recommend the wearing of helmets, knee pads and wristguards;

␣ provide community education to address the use of the skate facility, including
appropriate behaviour, gender equity, safety and the development of skills;

The development of the skate park as a regional youth facility raises the possibility of complementing the facility with a retail outlet that will cater for skaters. It is anticipated that the outlet would sell and hire safety equipment, operate training courses, holiday programs and events as well as providing food and beverages.
The operator of the centre would NOT be expected to supervise the skate facility; however the operator and or staff would provide an adult near the site during their business hours as a deterrent to antisocial behaviour.
It is intended to explore promotion opportunities within the skate park facility including advertising such as murals and posters by surf /skate companies etc. Young people will be consulted to assess their support for designated graffiti walls or murals of their choice.
It is intended that income generated from the retail outlet would provide ongoing maintenance and operating costs for the facility.

Public liability issues

Council has prepared a Risk Assessment that incorporates issues from design and construction through to public safety and community amenity.

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