Bass Coast Shire Council voted to authorise Grayden’s Reserve in Newhaven as the preferred site for the Regional Skate Park and Playspace Project last Wednesday.
Council will now begin detailed designs for the project, to ensure it provides a positive outcome for residents and visitors to the Reserve.
Bass Coast Shire Mayor, Cr Brett Tessari, said this was a great outcome and will provide a fantastic community asset, for everyone to enjoy.
“The next step is to work with our design team, Playce, and consult with the community to create a detailed design for the project that suits the location and meets the criteria,” Cr Tessari said.
“We are expecting this design to be on public exhibition for final community feedback by March 2020.”
Council officers completed investigations of Grayden’s Reserve and began consultation with key stakeholders and the Newhaven community in late August.
This included a range of activities such as a drop in session held on site, attending Newhaven Residents Association Annual General Meeting and providing a survey for community members to complete.
In addition to receiving a strong response from the survey, Council also received a high number of emails both in favour and opposed to the Project, along with a petition in opposition.
Grayden’s Reserve is owned by Regional Roads Victoria, who have provided in-principle support for the Project. Council currently maintains the Reserve, which is already home to several Council assets including public toilets, a playground and a concrete skate and basketball pad. Council’s mobile skate ramp visits the site on a rostered calendar.
In October 2018, Council was awarded a grant of $650,000 from Sport and Recreation Victoria (SRV) to complete the Project at San Remo.
Council’s funding agreement with SRV allows for a variation of scope to be applied for, to allow this funding to be used for the Project in a new location, which is subject to Ministerial approval.
Council has allocated $650,000 to the project in its 2019/20 Budget.
