Tatura Community Planning Group members Terry Court, Alex Carter and Alfred Heuperman have advocated for a skate park on Lot 69 for decades.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
The sound of wheels scraping and the satisfying snap of a kickflip could soon replace the silence of an empty lot as residents of Tatura rally for the development of a long-desired skate park at Lot 69.
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For over two decades, the empty lot across from the police station on Hogan St has been an eyesore, frustrating community members such as Terry Court from the Tatura Community Planning Group.
“Since the last building left there about 30 years ago, the Tatura Community Planning Group has put together two community-endorsed master plans showing a skate park at that site,” he said.
“We’ve been advocating for it for a long time, but the only thing approved by Greater Shepparton City Council so far was an entity into a lease of the land.
“At the moment, it’s just a gravel pit.”
The area offers potential advantages, such as proximity to shops, amenities including public toilets and seating, and its location directly across from the police station.
Still, efforts to transform the lot into a thriving communal space face obstacles, chief among them the uncertain status of soil contamination.
According to council’s website, soil contamination concerns from previous industrial use, identified by landowners VicTrack, have made the site unfeasible for development without significant remediation costs.
However, an email from VicTrack to Mr Court in 2018 stated that the site posed “no risk to human health under the current commercial/industrial land use or public use”.
This glimmer of hope for advocates has not fully changed council’s stance on Lot 69, which remains shrouded in safety concerns.
Lot 69 is situated on Hogan St in Tatura, directly across from the police station.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
While debates about the lot are ongoing, council has moved forward with the new skate park project in Tatura by confirming funding, identifying potential locations and holding consultations.
A spokesperson said council had conducted extensive consultations with the Tatura community, which included in-person sessions and opportunities for online feedback, to be considered when determining the location and design of the new skate park.
Once the designs are prepared, council plans to engage in further consultations with the community before any construction begins.
However, Mr Court took aim at the execution of council’s approach, noting that it did not involve their community group in the process.
“Council held an initial community consultation, which was poorly attended because it was just for the design of the park ... I didn’t attend because I had no expertise in that,” he said.
“But their objectives weren’t clear — what it resulted in was them coming up with a preferred site through the two people who attended and online submissions.
“That caused a bit of a ruckus here, and they’ve since held another consultation round.”
The coming months will be crucial as council seeks further input to address a pivotal question.
Should the skate park be redeveloped at its current location in Mactier Park, or should it be built in a new location, such as Lot 69, the Bowls Club at 56 Service St, Wilma Wilson Gardens on Walshe St, or 1-59 Martin St in Charlie Taylor Park?
Like a skater who successfully sticks the landing, Mr Court holds his position firmly.
“We need to have it on Lot 69 to give us the maximum community benefit and safety,” he said.
“This is the best decision for the town and its people.
“Without a doubt, this is the best time in 25 years to rid this town of the blight of our open space and construct a magnificent facility.”
Tatura Community Planning Group members Alex Carter, Terry Court and Alfred Heuperman stand at the “gravel pit”.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
