Rushcutters Bay Youth Recreation Facility: Controversial harbour skatepark back on council agenda

Inner city families living near Rushcutters Bay Park have claimed their voices have been drowned out by “negative NIMBYs” who oppose a planned youth recreation facility next to the harbour.

Families living near Rushcutters Bay Park have vowed to fight for a contentious skatepark, claiming “negative NIMBYs” have drowned out the desires of families and kids.

Darlinghurst mum Skye Davidson Wallace has called on local families to raise their voices in support of a Youth Recreation Facility first tabled by Woollahra Council almost a decade ago.

“I believe that the people supporting the space are a far greater number than the vocal minority,” Ms Wallace told the Wentworth Courier.

Local kids from Darlinghurst Primary School and their parents have rallied in support of the skatepark.

The proposed skatepark, set to be located on the southeast corner of Rushcutters Bay Park, includes small-scale skate facilities and a basketball zone, along with shade and shelter structures.

The renewed push follows a recommendation council proceed with the project by its finance and community committee at a meeting on Monday, with a new conservation management plan and design changes in light of its heritage listing.

Concept art of the Rushcutters Bay Park Youth Recreation Facility. Image: Woollahra Council.

The project, which was first given the green light to proceed by council in 2018, stalled earlier this year after opponents successfully lobbied to have the entire park heritage listed.

In February a motion was put forward seeking to defer the $1.18 million set aside for the facility from the capital works budget amid concerns about a $6.8 million hole in council finances.

A concept plan for a youth recreation facility. Picture: Supplied.

The Darling Point Society, which has maintained fierce opposition to the project, told its members “with great disappointment” this week the skate park plan had resurfaced “out of the blue after claims from Woollahra Council that [it] wasn‘t going ahead.”

The community group has submitted several petitions with 4000 signatures and several surveys which have returned negative responses, its website stated.

But Ms Wallace said families in the area had a greater desire than ever for facilities for children after two years of rolling lockdowns.

“Like most families in the area, we don’t have a backyard. So on the weekends, we spend a lot of time outdoors, playing soccer, cycling and scooting,” she said.

Darlinghurst mum Skye Davidson Wallace wants more kids facilities in the local area. Photo: supplied.

“Particularly during lockdown, my son and I and a lot of the kids in the area were out at the park every single day.

She said the past two years had highlighted the lack of kid’s facilities in the densely populated inner city suburbs.

“In this area, we don‘t have the same sort of variety that other areas have,” Ms Wallace said.

“For example, Federal Park in Annandale and Sydney Park have amazing facilities for kids, and we will often have to drive all the way over there for those nice safe, well built spaces.

Ms Wallace believes there will be greater community support for the park this year. Photo: Supplied.

Outdoor gym facilities at Rushcutters Bay Park, Rushcutters Bay. Picture: Craig Wilson.

“We’d love to spend more time at our local parks than having to travel further afield.”

Ms Wallace said this time she hoped the wishes of young families and kids would be heard along with dissenters.

“Frankly, the opposition to this is coming from the same old negative NIMBYs who oppose everything,” she said, adding the skate park will comprise about 1.6 per cent of the total park.

“For the sake of the kids in the area, I really hope that these voices are heard,” she said.

A council spokesman said the recommendation referred from the Finance, Community and Services Committee meeting on Monday would next go to council for consideration.

A decision on next steps will be made at a council meeting on August 22.