Goya Dmytryshchak
More than 600 people have signed a petition calling for an Altona North pump park.
The petition, started by Better West, calls on Hobsons Bay council to develop pump tracks, informal BMX tracks and gravel circuits in the suburb.
It states that Hobsons Bay’s mayoral focus report includes “scope for developing pump tracks, informal BMX tracks and gravel circuits in suitable locations to cater for children and young people in order to meet community demand for safe off-road riding”.
“In Altona North, there is a lack of informal recreational space for children and teenagers,” the petition states.
“This leads to our roads being used inappropriately and unsafely for fun.
“We think there are many sites that, with investigation and involvement from the local community, could be suitable for these facilities.”
Proposed sites include the hilled area next to the Paisley Park playground, Crofts Reserve and reserves along Kororoit Creek.
The petition was tabled at last week’s council meeting.
Cr Peter Hempill told the meeting the petitioners’ request was not unreasonable.
“This petition has come about because of hooning of cars and a lot of other antisocial behaviour in the Altona North area,” he said.
“I guess when you look at some of the things that they are requesting – BMX tracks and gravel circuits, there was also a suggestion of climbing walls and other recreational facilities – I don’t think that they are unreasonable.
“Indeed, I would probably suggest, after the Tokyo Olympics there’s probably a lot of interest in BMX activities.
“We can expect there’ll be a lot of escalation in those sports facilities right round Australia and we would be no different in expecting that as well, that is, the demand for those sorts of facilities.”
