Luke Russell pulls off a ‘stale fish air’ at Fairy Meadow skate park. Photo: Ryan Grant.
The good people of Thirroul have waited 30 years for a skate park – and they’re likely to wait a bit longer.
Teenagers who were popping ollies when the idea was first suggested now have groms of their own, but the elusive Thirroul park has never materialised.
For the first time in decades, however, it looks like it might just become a reality.
In 2024 Wollongong City Council began the design process for a Thirroul park, along with one in Wollongong, Port Kembla, and a mobile park.
They contracted a designer and plan to identify a final location for the park.
Now Councillor Jess Whittaker has asked for Wollongong City Council to write to Member for Heathcote, Maryanne Stuart MP, to ask for her help securing state government funds for the project.
“We can’t underestimate how important this is to the northern suburbs,” she said.
“We didn’t have a skate park in the 90s but we did have a skating rink and access to outdoor courts at schools. That’s all changed now.
“Kids have to travel to Sydney or learn in carparks.
“We need to be brave and bold and a bit of extra funding could help.
“MP Stuart has previously assisted Sutherland Council access $1.65m in extra funding for Engadine Skatepark at Cooper Street Reserve, which has been well received by the community.
“The NSW Government should be invited to partner with us to deliver this important community building project for Thirroul.”
Cr Whittaker’s suggestions received a lukewarm response from other councillors.
Councillor Dan Hayes said staff would apply for specific grants when the design and location of the skate park were finalised.
“The MP doesn’t have a bucket of money to dish out; funding will come through grants,” he said.
“Professional councils are very good at getting grants because there is trust they will deliver projects on time and on budget and I think Wollongong is a professional council.
“To go bowl in hand and say, ‘Can I please have some more’, but not know what more is, is unprofessional.
“I’m concerned this motion will set us back and get in the way.”
Cr Hayes proposed an amendment that the council instead write to thank the government, council staff and the wider community for their support of the skate park.
Councillor Ryan Morris hit back.
He said residents in Thirroul weren’t looking for thanks – they wanted action.
“They are screaming for this up there,” he said.
“In the amendment there’s a lot of thanking going on but nothing to do with the original motion.
“We [should] commit to writing to the Member for Heathcote once the location, size and budget is proposed to advocate for a funding promise.”
The amendment, with Cr Morris’ suggestion, was adopted, and the motion carried unanimously, bringing the latest chapter in the Thirroul skate park saga to a close.
The Draft Delivery and Operational Plan currently proposes the construction of the northern suburbs skatepark will begin in 2026 and be completed in 2027.
