A SKATE park in Koroit is back on the agenda with 400 people already committed to the cause.
Koroit teenager Mitchell Hughan has presented a 400-name petition to the Moyne Shire Council in support of a skate park in the town.
In his presentation to councillors, 14-year-old Mitchell told of the frustration of not being able to easily access a skating facility.
“At the moment there is no facility in Koroit to cater for teens through to young adults,” Mitchell said.
“All there really is at the moment is the cricket, football and netball club which is not everyone’s interest.
“The playground in Koroit serves children up to about 12 years old max.”
He said skate parks were a great place for kids of all ages and catered for bikes, scooters, skateboards and rollerblades.
A year 8 student at Warrnambool College, Mitchell said not having a skate park in Koroit has a flow-on effect to families of youth who wish to use them.
“My brother and I both regularly use the skate park in Warrnambool, however we rely on our parents being free to take us.
“To have one locally would be beneficial not only for us but also for youth of all ages in the town and surrounding areas.”
He said a skate park would benefit not only Koroit residents but would also be an extra attraction for the town, pointing out that his family always looked at which town had a skate park when they go on holidays. Mitchell has met with the Moyne Shire youth councillors and has their support in his campaign.
His petition will be tabled as an official item at the council’s November meeting with councillors then to decide if they will support the push.
This is the second attempt to get a skate park in Koroit with a similar push also happening in late 2012. At the time the Moyne Shire Council had plans to apply for $60,000 from Department of Transport, Planning and Local infrastructure for a skate park.
But a suitable location could not be agreed on and a low response to a community survey on the issue meant council did not pursue the funding option.
