MALENY community advocates are thrilled that an amplified campaign to upgrade the aging and outdated Maleny Skatepark has now been heard and endorsed by Sunshine Coast Council, with news that the much needed rebuild project has been given the green light.
Earlier this year, community members banded together to launch a persistent and progressive petition to have a new skate park facility built.
After months of campaigning and enlisting local media and community support, lead petitioner Amy Wilson said she was ecstatic to have received a letter from Division 5 Councillor Winston Johnston and Sunshine Coast Council confirming the skate park upgrade project has been endorsed in the 2024/25 capital works program. She said she was pleased that council had listened to the community, and she said this was a massive win for local youth, families, and skate park uses of all ages.
“This is all about supporting our young people and proving that people power can make a difference,” she said.
“We are all so thrilled our persistence and petitioning as a community has paid off. This is proof that effective community collaboration can work and it can give people hope that together we can make a difference and achieve positive change,” explained Ms Wilson.
Ms Wilson said she wanted to thank council for listening and responding to community concerns, and said the next stage would be the commencement of community consultation around the rebuild design, currently scheduled for 2023/2024, however she understood planning dates would be prioritised to commence as soon as possible.
The skatepark facility rebuild will be in addition to already established plans for a half pipe commission, expected to be completed by September, weather permitting.
