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A Lake Cathie resident has raised concerns over the positioning of the community skate park on the lake’s foreshore.
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Sue East says the State Environmental Planning Policy – Coastal Protection may prohibit the skate park from being located within the foreshore footprint.
She says the legislation lists Lake Cathie as a sensitive location and ‘under the legislation, there are restrictions on just what can be constructed there’.
“My concerns are not about having a skate park but it is about the location of that park,” Ms East said.
“I was part of the recent think tank and this issue was raised in that forum.
“The think tank provided some really good processes but the biggest problem we have with the skate park is going to be the size of the footprint.
“No one is denying Lake Cathie deserves a skate park.”
Ms East says with skateboarding a sport at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, a skate park should be placed with the village’s other sporting facilities.
My concerns are not about having a skate park but it is about the location of that park.
- Sue East
“If skateboarding is classified as a sport at the Olympics then we need to position the skate park at the sporting facilities, otherwise this is going to set a precedent for other sports who may also want their sporting venue on the foreshore,” she said.
The Lake Cathie resident also raised her concerns about any potential loss of koala corridor that currently exists beside the bowling club and includes the cluster of trees on the lake side of the reserve. She says there is a push to have the skate park located in this area of the foreshore.
“Lake Cathie is one of the most beautiful, natural gems of the area and attracts tourists and locals.
“We don’t need that natural beauty of the area with a concrete structure placed on the foreshore.”
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council says the Lake Cathie foreshore master plan will be released on November 18.
“A skate park is part of the broader planning for the foreshore and all planning requirements will form part of that master plan,” a council spokesperson said.
“The master plan will include a skate park, amenities and walkways to name a few things.
“Council will continue to work with the community to ensure a skate park and all other community facilities are considered as part of that planning process.”