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- 3 July 2001
Skateboard Parks
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Page: 16099
The Hon. JAN BURNSWOODS: My question is directed to the Minister for Juvenile Justice. What action has the Government taken to provide skate parks for young people in New South Wales?
The Hon. CARMEL TEBBUTT: Young people often raise the issue of their access to recreational facilities. We hear a lot about the need to ensure that young people do not become involved with juvenile offending, drug abuse and other risk-taking activities. An important aspect in preventing that is providing young people with safe, interesting and appropriate recreational activities. I am not saying that the provision of skate parks will necessarily resolve all the issues relating to young people. Nevertheless, the skills and experiences that young people have when interacting in safe recreational activity can be important in their developing the skills needed to make a successful transition to adulthood. One of the things that young people ask for is something to do that alleviates boredom while at the same time being relevant to them.
A recent initiative of the Government is the funding of INDENT—the provision of drug and alcohol free entertainment, which is organised by young people for young people. The initiative is proving very successful. However, there is another practical way in which the Government is listening to young people and giving them what they want for their own entertainment, and keeping the community happy as well. I am referring to provision of skateboard parks and facilities. Just last May—my colleague the Special Minister of State will appreciate this—my colleague in the other place the Hon. John Watkins announced a $44,000 grant to improve a skateboarding facility on the Central Coast at Wyong. It enabled the Salvation Army, which runs the Oasis Youth Centre in Wyong, to enclose the local skate park for use in all weather conditions. They added more ramps to the park, making it a significant regional facility.
I am pleased to advise the House that the Wyong funding brought the total of funding given since 1995 by the Government to skateboard parks throughout New South Wales to over $1.4 million. Funding has come a long way since 1994-95, when the previous Government allocated a miserly $17,500 for skateboard parks. The Carr Government more than doubled that figure in its first year in office—to $40,000 in 1995-96. It raised the bar yet again in 1996-97, to $68,000 in funding. The following year there was a huge leap in funding to nearly $400,000 a year. Since then the government has continued to fund skateboard parks to the tune of around $300,000 annually. Local fundraising or contributions made by the local council match many of the Government funded skateboard park projects. Since 1995 there have been 92 projects varying in size from $1,620 for Manly this year to $90,000 for Wollongong City's Dimond Brothers Playing Field skate park and $147,000 for a Liverpool City Council skate park, both in 1998-99.
This year alone the Carr Government has funded 31 skateboard park projects. We are placing such an emphasis on skate parks because we know that they are what young people want. Skateboarding is a popular pastime for young people. Providing dedicated skate parks and ramps keeps young people entertained and off the streets, where skateboarding can sometimes be a nuisance. I have often been impressed with the initiative that young people and their local communities have shown in instigating skate parks. Many local communities have embraced skate parks. They have supported local fundraising efforts that have been organised by young people, because they want to see their young people provided with appropriate and safe activities.
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