Aslan Shand
Wollongbar District Park was finally approved during this morning’s session at Ballina Shire Council’s meeting.
‘It has been seven year coming,’ Councillor Jeff Johnson told Echonetdaily during the meeting break.
‘We’ve finally had the plans and designs approved for the park that will include a skate park, walking path, picnic and barbeque areas as well as environmental plantings.’
The 6.8ha site was originally identified 17 years ago for a future district park that would include mixed use site that would include public open space, community facilities, and varying housing densities. Prior to this the site had been a drive in movie theatre that closed in the mid-1980s.
‘It is just wonderful,’ said Councillor Johnson.
‘This is really what the Wollongbar area needs. It is just a shame that it has taken so long. It is difficult to say when the project might be completed but I would hope that it would be completed by this time next year.’
It is expected that the park will contain an interpretive pathway, a multi court with a basketball hoop, outdoor table tennis stand, public toilets, and play equipment, including swings, play structure (covered by shade sail structure) and climbing net among other amenities.