Rushcutters Bay skate park one step closer as council moves on controversial project

By SASHA FOOT

Woollahra Council has voted to progress the construction of a contentious skate park- which has been embroiled in over ten-year of disputes- at the heritage-listed Rushcutters Bay park. 

The council will prepare a conservation report and a heritage impact statement as part of its application to the State Heritage Register. The register will then determine whether the plans can go ahead or whether to revise the design. 

The council’s finance, community and services committee pushed for its progression at a meeting one month ago. 

Councillor Toni Zeltzer, the chair of the committee and the councillor who tabled the motion, said older generations have employed “delay tactics” to halt the construction of a skate park aimed at young children. 

She cited “intergenerational equity” as the leading reason for the community backlash. 

“Here’s a public park, it’s not a little pocket park – it is of a reasonable size, and this youth facility is tiny compared to the whole park,” she told the council meeting. 

The council, as well as considering different locations over the years, like Centennial Park, has moved the skate park back from the Rushcutters Bay waterfront. 

“It’s been through so many regulations and interferences that now it’s a bare vestige of the original plan,” Cr Zeltzer told the council. 

Following recommendations made by GML Heritage, designs have been slightly changed. However, the heritage organisation told City Hub it is against the contract to reveal what these minor changes are. 

“Losing green space”: amendment to block skatepark unsuccessful 

Councillor Merrill Witt unsuccessfully amended the motion to stall its progression until the completion of a conservation report. 

She believes there is adequate children-friendly space in the park, such as soccer fields. Cr Witt noted that 23 people made new submissions after discovering that the council hoped to forward its progression. 

“People were very concerned about losing green space and its replacements as concrete,” Cr Witt said.  

“There were also concerns about density pressures already in the park, the heritage listing attributes characterised by the rare large open spaces and the obstructed harbour vistas.” 

Councillor Matthew Robertson maintained that Rushcutters Bay is “the only suitable location”. He is at the forefront of heritage defence, yet he endorses the skate park’s construction. 

“Over the last few years, the concept of heritage has been weaponised against this proposal,” he stated in the meeting. 

“This facility is in demand—we know our demographic data in Paddington.”

“It is about creating a dedicated space for our young people: it is about valuing them,” Cr Roberston said.