45 trees removed to make way for long contested Leichhardt Skate Park

By ERIN MODARO

Construction on a Leichhardt skatepark that has been in hot water for years has begun with the removal of 45 trees. The future of the skatepark has been in contention for years.

Over a decade ago plans for a skate park in the area were submitted to the state government, however they never materialised due to heritage disputes among other roadblocks.

After the adoption of a Leichhardt Park management plan, the skatepark was approved by the Inner West Council before the plans were then rescinded after Independent, Greens and Liberal Councillors voted for a location change due to local resident and environmental concerns.

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne labelled the project being voted down as a “betrayal of local children and young people”. After Labor gained majority on council this year, designs were placed on public exhibition in April before being approved by council in May.

The state government is also backing construction, as this year former chief executive of the Greater Sydney Parklands Trust, Suellen Fitzgerald, sent a letter to Inner West General Manager Peter Gainsford showing support for the skate park.

As construction has begun, Independent Councillor John Stamolis has spoken out against the loss of existing parkland, as well as the removal of trees.

Cr Stamolis said it was “shocking to see Council bulldoze a well-used community park on the foreshore, cutting down 45 trees”. 

“Inner West Council claims that it is committed to the environment, sustainability, climate change, biodiversity and green space but demonstrated that all of this was expendable” he said. 

Council resolves to replace all trees

However, along with approval for the park, the Inner West Council has resolved to replace all removed trees. The motion passed in May says that “in addition to the 10 trees to be planted around the perimeter of the skate plaza that 32 additional trees will be planted within Leichhardt Park to offset the proposed tree removal”.

Cr Stamolis said the resolution was “nonsense”.

“Why couldn’t we have 79 trees (45 + 34)?” he asked. 

Cr Stamolis also cited a previous community consultation report which revealed that 86% of respondents were against the location of the skate park. The engagement outcomes report received 86 local submissions, 74 of which were “broadly against the project in the proposed location”.

Respondents said that their concerns were centred around environmental impacts, noise impacts and it’s proximity to the Le Montage function centre, which is a popular wedding venue.

Le Montage, which sits on the foreshore across from the location of the skate park, has also been vocally against the location, and threatened to take legal action if the skate park were to go ahead.

Sal Navarra, who owns Le Montage, told the Sydney Morning Herald that the park’s location was “risky”, as it will be near residences as well as the function centre.

City Hub reached out to Cr Byrne for comment, but has not yet received a response.