If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to skate, then now’s your chance, with a new wheelchair accessible terrain park and beginner to intermediate skate bowl coming to South Newcastle Beach.
The upgraded skate park is only a small section of the Newcastle Beach Community Infrastructure Renewal Project Stage 1, which is apart of the City of Newcastle’s major Coastal Revitalisation Program.
Local skater, Taylor Mclean, is looking forward to an updated skatepark and believes it will bring opportunity and interest to the social sport.
“This is going to make way for a lot of people who want to learn but aren’t confident enough to go to skate parks,” Mclean said.
“Skaters who are especially from marginalised groups such as females, the disabled or even older people will feel more comfortable to start learning.”
Other upgrades include wider accessible pathway, a new kiosk, public amenities, landscaping, lighting, improved beach access, exercise equipment and viewing areas.
Indigenous artwork and signage are also part of the new designs, not only bringing creative artwork to the area but providing representation of Newcastle’s Indigenous community.
Mclean said the Indigenous representation had brought a sense of togetherness and inclusion, which was a strong cultural belief in Aboriginal communities.
“As an Aboriginal woman, I am extremely pleased with this feature,” Mclean said.
“These artworks will help increase our visibility as people and serve our ancestors with the acknowledgement they deserve.”
Newcastle Lord Mayor, Nuatali Nelmes, believes the project will positively affect the surrounding community, with increased foot and wheel-based traffic boosting businesses in the area.
“By renewing the site’s infrastructure and building new facilities, we hope to revive South Newcastle Beach as a vibrant and attractive place to visit,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Completed sections of the Bathers Way have prompted 50 per cent usage increases, with
Merewether one of the busiest due to its additional facilities, and we expect to see similar
impetus from this revitalisation project.”
Bathers Way South Newcastle upgrades’ estimated cost is $11M, with the skate park and bowl costing $1.6M, all of which are partly funded by a $5M grant from the NSW Government.
The Coastal Revitalisation program began in 2010, with beaches like Merewether, Dixon Park, Bar Beach and Nobbys, all receiving updates to seating facilities and walkways.
Bathers Way Coastal Pathway will eventually connect all beaches with a 6-kilometre coastal walk, with wider, stairless pathways, creating complete accessibility to all members of the community.
Stage 1 construction commenced in August 2020, with an estimated completion of two years.
Once the Newcastle Beach renewal project is complete, the last two sections in the Coastal Revitalisation Program are King Edward Park and Memorial Drive with new designs already underway.
Hayley McMahon