Two keen young skateboarders may be years away from voting but are already exercising their democratic right as Tenterfield citizens, organising a petition for the local skate park to be upgraded.
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The petition of 43 names topped by Jake Little and Julian Dickson was considered at the February council meeting on Wednesday. Councillors supported the proposal, even if they weren't sure what the specified spine, quarter with coping, mini bowl and half-pipe were all about.
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Councillor Greg Sauer had been reliably informed by a six-month live-in skatepark expert (his grandson) that the local version "sucked" (although he's more accustomed to North Shore facilities).
Cr Sauer supported upgrades to the skate park as long as they are grant-funded, to which his fellow councillors agreed.
The funding required will depend on the design but acting chief executive Andre Kompler said a half-pipe for a Victorian council he was working for a number of years ago was priced at $180,000. He said it is important to keep a measure of perspective.
"We all want more facilities but at the end of the day they are a cost, and we have to be financially viable going forward."
Council will liaise with the lead petitioners on design of the upgrade once the project reaches that point.
Cr Bob Rogan would like to see the design also encompass seating and shade for parents supervising youngsters, noting on a recent inspection that the park looked like it had been neglected for some time.
Parliamentary representatives at both state and federal levels actively encourage well-prepared grant applications with community backing that they can champion, so here's one to get behind.
Cr Gary Verri would like to see the skate park concept extended to Urbenville and Drake, so grant funding will also be sought for these installations.
