Port Kembla Community Skate Space

As part of our commitment to maintaining safe recreational facilities for our community, we’re seeking feedback on the preferred location for a permanent skate facility in Port Kembla.

The Port Kembla Community Skate group has finalised their preferred location for a skate facility in Port Kembla’s King George V Oval. The Port Kembla Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PKCCI) has done extensive engagement over the past 12 months. The local community have identified the site east of the existing Basketball Courts as the preferred location for a new skate facility. The scale of this facility is designed to provide a safe place for local residents to skate and enjoy.

The desire for a permanent skate space emerged from the PKDIY skatepark - a community-run initiative to bring a sense of connection and wellness to Port Kembla at the height of the pandemic. You can find the story on how the PKDIY came about here - PKDIY Skatepark.

The opportunity to deliver a 'community skate space' for the community comes after the Port Kembla Chamber of Commerce and Industry were successful in receiving a $500k grant through the Port Kembla Community Investment Fund.

Where is the project up to?

We want to hear the community's thoughts on the proposed location for a permanent skate space in Port Kembla's King George V Oval. Your feedback will assist in enabling further investigations and design works to continue prior to our approval for this project.

Where is the proposed skate space?

The Port Kembla skating community has voiced their preferred site as being the eastern side of the basketball courts in King George V Oval. It is at the crossroads of Military Road, First Avenue and Tobruk Avenue. This site generally aligns with Council’s endorsed King George V Oval Masterplan for King George V Oval, which identified the existing basketball courts as a 'multi-sports area' with the commitment to "investigate opportunities for an integrated skate facility". It is east of where the current PKDIY skatepark is located. The location for a permanent skate space has been heard from PKCCI's engagement with the community since July 2023.

What will the planned skate space look like?

Port Kembla Community Skate Space will be a local level park. In November 2023, the community hosted a workshop with more than 120 attendees who created their ideal skate space. A small group of skaters from the Port Kembla community also took place in a skate space tour to identify their preferred elements and designs. From there, the lead project group and engaged architects created a concept design from what they heard.

Some key elements identified through the consultation and workshops that fit within the allocated budget include:

• Mini Bowl
• Plaza/street style elements
• Incorporate the existing basketball court connected to the site
• Seating and shade

The community can access the PKDIY Concept Design Portal to see what their draft design is currently looking like. The concept plan is being workshopped and led by the PKCCI. Please note that Council has not endorsed any plans or any designs. The design will be subject to feedback from Council after the engagement on location with the community has finished.

Additional works would see improvements to the basketball courts in line with the master plan, improvements to sightlines and park safety, and removal of all temporary skate equipment currently situated on the courts. As a local level facility, additional infrastructure such as parking or toilets is not required.

How can I share my thoughts on the proposed location?

• Complete the feedback form to tell us what your thoughts are on the proposed location
• Attend the in-person community drop-in session on Monday 8 April 2024
• Email: engagement@wollongong.nsw.gov.au
• Write to: The Engagement Team, Wollongong City Council, Locked Bag 8821 WOLLONGONG DC NSW 2500
• Phone 4227 7111

Drop-in information session
At this session, we will have Council staff available to answer questions about this project and location. Surveys will be available to be completed onsite if preferred.

Date: Monday 8 April 2024
Time: Drop in anytime between 4pm-6pm - there's no presentation at this session, so you can drop in throughout the timeslot.
Where: Port Kembla Senior Citizens Centre, corner of Allan Street and Wentworth Lane

Your feedback will assist in enabling further investigations and design works to continue prior to Council providing approval for this project.

The closing date of feedback from the community will be the 15 April 2024.

Accessibility and language assistance

If you’re d/Deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech or language difficulty, you can contact us through the National Relay Service. If you need an interpreter, you can contact us through the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450. You’ll need to provide our phone number 02 4227 7111 for either service.