September 20, 2012
The South Burnett Regional Council will build a $150,000 skate park in Murgon after a community consultation meeting held earlier this month identified it as the project preferred by most people.
The Council had allocated $150,000 for a capital works project in Murgon in this year’s budget.
This was originally earmarked for a skate park but during Budget deliberations the Council decided further community consultations should be made before any final decision was taken.
Cr Kathy Duff began informal discussions with the Murgon community in July and Council facilitated a public meeting at Murgon Town Hall on September 10 attended by representatives from the Murgon Business and Development Association; Murgon police; Graham House; Murgon Rotary; Murgon PCYC; St Joseph’s School; and Murgon State School to discuss what projects could be undertaken.
All were in favour of the skate park proposal.
“Council by no means has a monopoly on great ideas, so we went to the community to hear where they wanted these funds spent,” Cr Damien Tessmann said at this week’s Council meeting.
“As the saying goes, democracy is owned by those who turn up – and everyone who turned up wanted a skate park.”
Cr Kathy Duff agreed.
“The outcome of the consultation process was a very positive result. This project is a great thing for Murgon and there have already been offers by local people to assist in the earthworks free of charge,” she said.
“It was great to see people who are really passionate about this project coming together. The community has really taken ownership of this proposal and we’re keen to continue with the consultation process.”
Cr Duff said the Murgon community would be consulted about the design of the skate park as well as any further work needed for the project to be completed.
A site for the skate park and an anticipated completion date have not yet been announced.
