Wanda is the perfect location. Wanda has a reputation for fitness among national and international athletes. I am sure the athletes and their kids will love it too. The councillors last night endorsed the kids of Cronulla. These kids are residents too. It gives them a positive outlet to interact outdoors with family. Decisions like this again show the Shire is a great place to live.

A sad day for Wanda residents. I'm not against skateboarding but it would have been better at Caringbah where the old roller skating site use to be, an indoor venue would have been far more appropriate, better parking and security and a cafe could have been built there as well. It would have been sheltered so it could have been used 24 hours a day seven days a week.

i believe that the skatepark should have been built a long time ago, it is a relief that they have finally said yes!!!

Benjamin- in response to your comment: Indoor ventures throughout the Shire, namely within the Taren Point and Caringbah areas have all faltered in the past such as "Skate Pit". Others which struggled and subsequently closed include the roller skating facility you mentioned. They are not economically viable ventures- Monster at Sydney Olympic Park is only viable as it is subsidised by the Government, NSW Sport and Rec and Olympic Commission funding; in addition to entry costs. To suggest an indoor facility could stay open 24 hours a day is preposterous. There is more than sufficient parking throughout the Wanda area (more so than the "alternative" site of Gunnamatta) and there is also a kiosk nearby as part of the Wanda Surf Club funnily enough! A perfect location; it even coincides with provisions made under the recently established National Surfing Reserve at Cronulla. Don Lucas Reserve was discovered to be the most appropriate site in 1993 and it still is today.

It's not preposterous to have a skateboard venue that goes 24 hours a day if it's covered from the weather. Having it outside your at the mercy of mother nature. Again there will be battles for car parking. Caringbah is more appropriate because it's closer to the hospital if there is an accident.

It is preposterous, as it hasn't been economically viable to keep an indoor venture open from 9 to 5 let alone 24 hours a day. Many other activities, such as children’s playgrounds are installed outdoors "at the mercy of mother nature" as you say. Why don't we start placing children's playgrounds in indoor facilities? On the basis of your logic this would make sense. Also, young children could easily injure themselves at a playground so we better position all these (indoor) playgrounds, and any other facilities which have any level of risk or chance of injury, surrounding Sutherland hospital so that we can get to the hospital quickly… just in case there’s an injury. No Ben, you’re logic does not make sense. That’s what ambulances are for. If an injury is serious enough to be rushing to gain medical attention, you call 000 and wait for an ambulance. The additional 2-5 minutes travel time up Captain Cook Drive or the Kingsway wouldn’t prove harmful if a non life-threatening accident occurred. As for the parking; there shouldn’t be a “battle” as everyone is entitled to the use of public land whether they be skating, surfing, fishing or walking. I reiterate: Don Lucas Reserve- most appropriate in 1993; still the most appropriate now.

Tim you skateboarders only want it at Wanda because it's close to the beach and the ocean. And there's other things in this world that are much more needed than a stupid skatepark, taxpayers shouldn't have to fork out large sums of money for your interests, the skateboarding fraternity should raise the money themselves if they want one so desperately.

Your argument is flawed yet again Ben, as I am not a skateboarder, nor am I an avid surfer so have no reason whatsoever to have it "close to the beach and the ocean." I simply believe youth and skateboarders deserve the appropriate facilities and amenities just like any other any group. A new playground is being installed at Wanda at a cost to taxpayers of around $250,000. Should we cancel this project because a few cranky taxpayers don't want it going ahead? Or should I have to pay money that goes toward Leisure Centres throughout the Shire when I don't particularly use them? Or pay for lifesavers everyday of the year if I only ever visit the beaches a couple times during summer? (Just in case you can't tell- I'm being sarcastic) Taxes are a wonderful thing as you can't really pick and choose where your money goes. However the money goes towards many things, such as the further development of community facilities- a skateboard park being such an example. Anyway... this argument is now redundant as Wanda is the site that has been decided upon- with all the issues we have debated being taken into consideration. Thanks for your opinions though! I'll try to make sure your small tax contribution that goes towards the park (maybe a dollar?) gets back to you though!

Tim you can not compare a kids' playground to a skatepark because there is a huge difference in cost and security. And I don't have an issue with any playground being built. This skatepark will attract vandalism and the council spending this huge amount of money is saying to the community that its alright to do it here. When the reality is the locals living there don't want to be looking at an eyesore, especially when they didn't want it in the first place and had to pay for it!

Yes Ben, you can compare a children's playground and a skate park. Both are public amenities; both encourage healthy free recreational activity; both fall under council jurisdiction; both can be publicly funded; both have elements of risk to be considered /managed and unfortunately both have potential for misuse or abuse. Yes- both have costs involved and they are quite similar; once you look at the full picture. $250k for a single children's playground and approximately $500k for a skate park- an obvious cost difference (almost double?! Shock horror). BUT there are currently 2 skate parks within the shire and many many more playgrounds. It doesn't take a lot of brainpower to work out there has been far more spent on playgrounds than skate parks within the shire. There are security issues surrounding any public place. As much can be done in an open field as what could be done in a skate park. But these issues fall under the management plans, which will be put in place. New modern parks are well designed, colourful and integrated structures which blend into the landscape and provide other areas and features beyond just being a skate park (such as picnic areas and BBQs).