WHAT ABOUT US? CRY J’ROO

A CONCERNED parent has called on Kiama Council to consider the needs of Jamberoo youth after council allocated $120,000 for the construction of a skatepark in Kiama Downs, citing road safety concerns.

Council should be considering putting Jamberoo ahead of Northern Kiama when it comes to this facility, said Mr Brooke Smith.

Northern Kiama can connect quite easily with Kiama making it a lot easier for a kid out there to get into the skate park at Kiama.

It would be an absolute tragedy to see a child knocked off his bike riding into Kiama from Jamberoo trying to get into the skate park.

There is no bike track into either Albion Park or Kiama.

The kids out here would use a park there is no doubt. I think it would be great for local youth if Council spent some money in Jamberoo.

Mr Brooke Smith said he hoped council would give fair consideration to spending at least a portion of the $120,000 already allocated to the Kiama Downs skate park for a similar facility in Jamberoo, saying most of the local community was behind the venture.

This money is allocated, why dont they just direct a bit to us?

There are several grants open with the Department of Sport and Recreation, but we need a bit of council funding in order to receive anything from them.

We are just trying to get the kids off the x-box and get them outside.

This is something they really want so we are doing our best to help them achieve it.

Mr Brooke Smith said that Jamberoo residents had already displayed their willingness for a skate park in the area, having raised over $4500 through recent fundraising ventures.

Through a raffle, the Australia Day breakfast, our work at the Apex Markets and the recent Skateathon where 13 kids skated from 8am until 5pm we have raised $4625, he said.

There can be no question the kids are keen. Being young, they are starting to get impatient and want some immediate results for their work but they have put a lot of effort in and, in my eyes, they have definitely illustrated how keen they are.

Mr Brooke Smith said a top quality skate park in Jamberoo would be able to attract new business into the area while also allowing local youth to partake in something they really enjoy.

Mr Brooke Smith has written to Kiama Council and also Kiama MP Matt Brown to request support for the proposal.

A large number of children dont identify with competitive sports anymore.

Skateboarding and BMX riding are now kids primary hobbies.

They require physical input, remarkable skill, balance and patience while needing remarkable commitment to master, he said.

If we build a top rate facility then we will be able to attract more people to area which in turn will help our businesses.

Mr Brooke Smith said an estimated $80,000 was needed to build the park.

(Cr) Trevor (Fredericks) and I are looking at every possible way to fund a ramp in both Kiama Downs and Jamberoo, said Kiamas youngest councillor, Brendan Comber.

Jamberoo is just as important as Kiama Downs. I would really like to see both of them happen.

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