Cairns skate strategy identifies need for new facilities

A new concrete skate park in Gordonvale has topped the list of priorities included in the Cairns Regional Council draft Skate and BMX Strategy 2012-2022.
Having already conducted a thorough community consultation program, the Council has recently invited public comment on the resulting draft document, which sets out the priorities for skate and BMX park facilities across the region until 2022.
Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said extensive consultation had been conducted to inform the strategy, which would assist future funding decisions related to Council's skate and BMX parks.
Mayor Manning explained "Council recognises BMX and skate related activities as important and valued pursuits for young people within the region.
"Some skaters from the region's southern corridor come into the city or Redlynch just to use the skate park facilities, so it is no surprise that a facility in the south has ranked highly.
"Gordonvale was seen as a key priority in the draft skate and BMX strategy and this will support the predicted increase in population of young people across the south of the region.
"This strategy suggests where these facilities are most needed, but also sets out what needs to be done at existing facilities in terms of maintenance, upgrades and improvements."
The draft strategy explains that "Cairns Regional Council recognises BMX and skate related activities as important and valued pursuits for young people within the region. These activities and the environments where they are undertaken contribute directly to the health and wellbeing of our communities by encouraging physical activity developing social networks. These outcomes are particularly important given the disturbing trends associated with sedentary and inactive lifestyles, particularly among children."
The draft strategy can be viewed at

http://yoursay.cairns.qld.gov.au/skatebmxstrategy