Council supports kids' bike jumps and will consult before taking action if considered dangerous

The council agreed to the new policy in a 13-2 vote at Monday night's meeting following a public backlash against moves to demolish unauthorised bike jumps at Caringbah North.

Young bike riders built the jumps on unused public land next to tennis courts in Fenton Avenue.

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The council resolution, initiated by Cr Kent Johns, acknowledged community concern over the council's practices for dealing with such structures and expressed support for this type of recreation.

A "mechanism" will be developed to provide for "stakeholder engagement" prior to any modification or removal of play structures.

A council staff member said the Caringbah North bike jumps were reported by the community and assessed as being high risk and warranting remediation.

"At this point we have not remediated the site," he said.

Cr Johns said, once "a mechanism" for public engagement was developed by staff, it would come back to the council for discussion.

"What we are saying tonight is we actively encourage play structures because we want to encourage kids to play outside," he said.

"If they are dangerous, yes, at times they should be taken down, but I would like to see some form of consultation with the community before that happens, not just a letterbox drop.

"Everything that children want to do can't be supplied by council. It's not our job to be their imagination."

Cr Johns said there were risks with many children's activities. "What are we going to say next - you can't go to the beach because there are rips?. The fun police can only go so far."

Crs Ray Plibersek and Barry Collier opposed the motion, saying they were concerned the council would be exposed to legal liability when accidents occurred.

Mayor Steve Simpson said he inspected the Caringbah North jumps on the weekend and spoke to concerned neighbours. "I am happy to support the motion as long as neighbours are in the frame and consulted," he said.

Cr Carmelo Pesce said Cr Simpson "took a week to go down there" and then spoke only to "old fuddy duddies", and not parents and children.

Cr Pesce said, when a similar issue arose at Engadine a a couple of years ago, he and Cr Diedree Steinwall had gone to the area immediately to talk with parents and neighbouring residents to work out a course of action.