Youth needs gain support

The expansion of the Ulladulla Skate Park was discussed at length during a meeting of the Ulladulla and Districts Community Forum.

Ulladulla Skate Park committee member Danielle Stanton said more than 40 young people took advantage of the opportunity to have their say and liaise with decision makers in the town.

With plans to expand the park in the pipeline, she said the meeting was the ideal platform for skaters, scooter riders and BMX enthusiasts to seek social and financial support.

“It was a really productive meeting and councillors as well as forum members indicated that they were happy to help,” Mrs Stanton said.

“The kids felt like they had a voice and were being listened to.

“After the meeting there was plenty of opportunity for users to speak one on one with councillors who have pledged their full support for the expansion.”

The committee is aiming to expand the facility to provide more space and modern facilities that meet the needs of a wide variety of users.

At times there can be children as young as three years on scooters, sharing the park with adult bike riders and skaters.

While most users are respectful and look after one another, it can become crowded and dangerous at time.

Mrs Stanton said plans were being drawn up to present to council for funding, and she hoped to secure support from local service organisations as well.

While a number of ideas were thrown around at last week’s meeting, including creating a new park in the Ulladulla CBD, she believed the expansion was the most affordable and realistic option.

“It would be great to have a brand new park closer to town, but it’s a pipedream - council doesn’t have the land or the money,” she said.

“However we have put the idea out there, to give everyone a say, and have a poll on our Facebook page.

“We want to provide what the users want, so I hope people will have their say.”

As the mother of two young children and the wife of an avid skater, Mrs Stanton said an upgraded facility should also incorporate shade structures, better lighting and toilet access for families.

The condition of the road to the Ulladulla Sports Park was also raised with councillors at the meeting.

The pot-holed dirt section of Camden Street provides access for a range of sporting groups from netball to AFL and is in urgent need of an upgrade.

Councillor Allan Baptist said he was “impressed” with the “intelligent and articulate young people” who attended the forum meeting.

“I think this is the first time we have had a large group of young people at a community meeting,” he said.

“It was very encouraging.”

Cr Amanda Findley said skaters and scouts were interested in getting across their message on improved skate facilities

“The young people were very articulate and asked some great questions and put forward some fab suggestions on how to improve skating,” she added.

Forum chairperson Marg Slorach said she was “delighted” to see young people express their views and concerns and look at ways to improve communication between council, community and youth.

“It was good that younger members felt able to voice their opinions,” she said.

“The Shoalhaven Council Youth Advisory Committee was mentioned and its purpose explained and it appeared that some people were interested in following this up to become members.

“There was a definite feeling that young people were pleased with the opportunity to voice their ideas while connecting with people who might do something about their concerns.

“All in all it was a very positive night and one which Ulladulla and Districts Community Forum will no doubt repeat,” Mrs Slorach said.