Maritime heritage and skate culture converge at Sunshine Coast’s beachside park at Dicky Beach

A $1.6 million upgrade of the Dicky Beach precinct by the Sunshine Coast Council is proving popular with its combination of public amenities, a new skate park and recognition of an historic local wreck.

Explaining the integration, Sunshine Coast Council Mayor, Mark Jamieson advised “we developed a plan for the area working hand in hand with our community following the partial removal of the historic SS Dicky wreck from the beach in 2015.”

The SS Dicky was an iron-hulled steamer, driven ashore at Caloundra during a cyclone in 1893.

Mayor Jamieson noted “our community told us the area’s skate culture was important to them as was the story of the SS Dicky and we have installed the propeller from the ship as a feature in the precinct.

“A new plaque will be installed in the coming weeks to continue to tell the story of the SS Dicky.

“The precinct looks terrific with open spaces, new and improved community facilities including new public amenities, beach showers, skatepark, connecting pathways and picnic shelters.

“When designing the precinct, council took steps to retain three large trees beside the skate park as they provide great shade in the warmer months. The landscaping includes more than 1000 new plants.

“The new space is a welcome addition to our ‘City of Beaches,’ and better connects the park with local businesses across the street, the Dicky Beach Holiday Park, beach and surf lifesaving club house.”

Sunshine Coast Councillor Terry Landsberg said the community-designed skate park boasted innovative and high-quality ramps, rails, grind ledges, quarter pipes and stairs, adding “there’s been no shortage of kick-flips, airs, rail hugging and grinds since the new precision-built skate park was completed ahead of schedule last month. 

“It’s fantastic to see the young talent trying out new tricks and turns on the concrete playscape while parents and spectators enjoy the action from a shaded seating area.

“This is one of many council projects driving the recovery of the local economy, by using and supporting Sunshine Coast contractors - and what a great job they’ve done in delivering this facility.

“We will also be keeping the community informed about future staged work for the precinct.”

Upgrades at the precinct included a new public amenity building, skate park, picnic shelter, pathways, two new beach showers, park lighting and electrical infrastructure, improved accessible parking space, more than 1000 plants and the reinstatement of the SS Dicky propeller feature.

Images: Skater Taniah Meyers shredding on the high quality bowl, ramps, rails, grind ledges, quarter pipes and stairs at Dicky Beach skate park (top), skateboarding coach Mat Chigwidden testing out the new Dicky Beach Skate Park (middle) and installation of the propeller from the SS Dicky as a feature in the precinct (below).