Skate project green light

It follows an agreement by councillors at Narrabri Shire Council’s ordinary meeting on Tuesday to provide “in principle” support for a skate park proposal and include a $20,000 contribution toward the project in council’s draft estimates for 2001/2002.

“Never have I seen such a great proposal put before a council in my life,” Councillor Ollie Dowd said.

Mr Dowd said the concept for a Narrabri skate park had originated when local students were asked by their teacher to have a look around town to identify what they needed.

Since then he said the proposal had attracted much community interest with the Rotary Club of Narrabri deciding to submit a proposal to council in a bid to pursue the idea.

“I applaud the Rotary Club for taking the bullet and running with it,” Mr Dowd said.

Although Councillor George Christakos agreed the concept was a good idea in principle, he expressed concern regarding the skate park’s location and insurance issues.

“I think we have to pay particular attention to both of those,” he said.

Director of environmental services Russell Booby agreed issues relating to both did exist and the council needed to be mindful but added they were not “insurmountable”.

However, investigations with other councils, including Mudgee, had revealed bullying at skate parks could be a potential problem, he said.

Mr Booby also said council needed to be careful not to give the idea the project would be supported “at all costs”.

“A very good skate park is very expensive... this would have to be a Narrabri version of a skate park.”

He suggested the balance of funds required after council’s $20,000 contribution would need to be raised within the community.