Council is preparing to consult with the community over the location for a skate park in Merimbula.
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The consultation will include collecting information on the type of skate park and for what ability level it should cater.
In an answer to a question on notice from councillor Mitchell Nadin, council staff said that they were expecting community engagement on the location to get underway in the next four to six weeks.
Council staff said that the community had formed a working group including representatives from multiple community organisations and work has been carried out on establishing what makes a good skate park site and site assessments.
The Sapphire Coast Skatepark Association provided a report on the assessment process and outcomes.
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Three sites were considered in that report, Ford Park, Berrambool Sportsground (the current skate park location) and Spencer Park.
Peter O'Keefe of the Sapphire Coast Skatepark Association has always favoured Ford Park as a location.
However there are strong views within the community about the different sites and their respective suitability.
Council staff said that the three sites would form the basis of a "Have your Say" consultation. It is intended to also gather other information and feedback on skate park facility type, and ability levels/ages so that these factors could be considered in the development of project designs.
Part of the community engagement model will be to develop a Community Advisory Group (CAG); whereby a core group of people representing key community groups are asked to assist with input and provide feedback.
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Council said it was a similar approach to that used for the all-inclusive playspace in Bermagui's Apex Park.
"It should be noted it is likely there will be differing opinions within the community on the pros and cons of each site for the skate park renewal/replacement project for Merimbula," council said.
"The intention of the community engagement is to give people the opportunity to review information on skate park siting and make their submission on what they believe will be the best location for the project," council said.
The results of the community consultation will be considered by council so that they can resolve on a location best suited for the project.
Once a location is agreed a preliminary draft concept design for a Merimbula skate park will be developed to support funding applications. This process worked successfully for Eden where the project has been given $300,000 in federal funding with a council contribution of $334,140.
Detailed design will progress once funding is sourced, and a project budget confirmed.
