A GLEAMING blue skate bowl on Newcastle beach could be the jewel in the crown of the Bathers Way coastal walk if ambitious plans to revive the area go ahead.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
These pictures offer the first look at Newcastle City Council’s concept plans for the next stage of the $36 million coastal revitalisation project.
Although still subject to funding, this stage of the project would integrate the remains of the old south Newcastle beach pavilion into a new amenities building with a kiosk and an outdoor gym.
But it is the commanding blue skate bowl sitting out on the sand in front of a completely refurbished skate park that the council hopes will cement the Bathers Way as a “must see” attraction for locals and visitors alike.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the council wanted this stage of the development to make a big statement, but the facilities needed to be practical and user-friendly, as well as visually appealing.
“This is something we want to make sure we get right,” she said.
Once completed, the Bather’s Way coastal walk project will link Merewether ocean baths with Nobbys headland via the Anzac Walk and King Edward Park.
The plan will be presented to the council’s Coastal Revitalisation Consultative Committee at a meeting on Thursday.
It would go out for public consultation as soon as more detailed design work had been finished.
Cr Nelmes said the council would be seeking state and federal funding to expedite the completion of the project.
Construction could begin late 2017.
Blue basin to bring big events
THE success of the popular Bar Beach skate park could be replicated at south Newcastle beach.
The facilities at Empire Park attract major events such as the Australian Bowl Riding Championships to the city. It has also fostered the talents of the number one female skateboarder in the world, Poppy Olsen.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said its success was “extremely translatable” to Newcastle beach.
“I believe that any time we are upgrading facilities like this for locals, for young people, for older skaters alike, what you’re actually seeing is a fantastic community supporting not only that sport, but attracting big events to Newcastle,” she said.
“But we want to make sure it is accessible not just for high level skaters, but also for younger children.”
Cr Nelmes would like to see the Bathers Way project extended to include the Stockton foreshore.
“What better way to showcase our city than by having a completed four-to-six metre wide pathway across our city coastline?” she said.
