Le Montage’s legal bid to stop construction of skate park in Lilyfield

By TILEAH DOBSON

Another move to stop the construction of a skatepark in Lilyfield has renewed attention on the controversial project. The owners of the well-known function centre in Sydney, Le Montage are giving it another shot to stop the construction of the children’s skate park.

The popular function centre is seeking a court order to halt the Inner West Council (IWC) from constructing a skate park directly across from the venue in Callan Park. It’s been argued that the council did not consider the impact it will have on the venue’s views.

Le Montage’s Giovannino ‘John’ Navarra has said in a press release that his primary concern was the safety of “children on an adrenalin rush” being around licensed venues and Le Montage’s loading dock.

However in reality, according to court documents obtained by the Sydney Morning Herald, the venue is seeking injunctive relief that are based on allegations that the IWC failed to consider “the visual impact of the proposed lighting” on Le Montage and “the visual impact of construction.”

Councillors against the skate park

Le Montage is not alone in its stance against the construction of the skatepark. Councillors such as Independent Councillor John Stamolis and Greens Marghanita Da Cruz have been consistently against the project.

City Hub spoke with Cr Stamolis who reiterated that the skate park’s construction is not what the community, local businesses and environmentalists wanted.

“The local community were shocked that Council selected this foreshore park for a skate park.  La Montage also wanted to keep this area as a local park.  Council, however, ignored 86% opposition from the local community,” Cr Stamolis said.

“Removing a public park is a very serious thing. [The] council have since removed 45 trees, the green open space and all the biodiversity.”

“This is blatantly inconsistent with Councils policies which are about protecting trees, increasing tree canopy, increasing green space and protecting biodiversity.”

Meanwhile, others on the council such as Labor Councillor Mark Drury spoke positively about the skate park’s construction.

“I’m glad the new Inner West skate park is finally going to happen. [It’s] an important sport and youth recreation facility,” Cr Drury told City Hub.

Mayor comments on legal bid

IWC Mayor Darcy Bryne insists that the council will “defend this in court” and that “public interest must win over the private interest.”

“It’s just bizarre that Le Montage have launched both a native title claim [and] a Court challenge at the same time. They are throwing all their resources at stopping the skate park. We won’t give in,” he said in a Facebook post.

City Hub reached out to Le Montage for comment but did not receive a response in time.