Mornington Peninsula Shire Council 1 REPORT TO Council Meeting ...

REPORT TO Council Meeting ITEM NO. 2.4 

MEETING DATE Monday, 25 October, 2010 

SUBJECT Mount Eliza Skate Park 

PREPARED BY Chris Munro, Recreation Strategic Projects Officer 

AUTHORISED BY Director – Sustainable Communities 

ATTACHMENT(S) YES 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

The purpose of this report is to provide Council with additional information about the Mount Eliza 

Skate Park, requested at the Council Meeting on 28 June, 2010. The additional information provided 

includes details of siting options, Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance, temporary skate 

facility options and skate user associations. 

BACKGROUND 

In the report to the Council Meeting on 28 June, 2010 Council adopted the following 

recommendations: 

“ That this item be deferred and as a matter of urgency a report be brought back to Council. 

1. That the Emil Madsen Reserve in Wooralla Drive, Mount Eliza be reviewed as a site 

for the construction of a Skate facility in Mount Eliza. 

2. That Council officers provide a report to Council outlining possible sites for the Skate 

facility within the Emil Madsen Reserve, being in close proximity to Wooralla Drive to 

provide for passive surveillance of the Skate facility. 

3. That Council review the priority of the construction of the shared bike path on 

Wooralla Drive, as outlined in the Bike Strategy 2010 report, to better service the Emil 

Madsen Reserve. This priority should be actioned prior to the Skate Park construction. 

The proposed shared path between Baxter and Mornington along the existing railway 

line reserve and surrounding areas of Mount Eliza. 

4. That Council officers prepare a report to advise Council on possible options for CCTV 

coverage of the Emil Madsen Reserve in order to better protect Council assets and 

users of the reserve. 

Part B 

Subject to the outcomes of the above points, that Council officers provide a report to Council 

reviewing the Council decision of October 2008 to adopt the John Butler Reserve Master 

Plan (Option B), in favour of Option C based on no Skate Park being located in the area 

covered by the adopted Master Plan. 

Part C 

That officers investigate a temporary Skate Park model to be ‘trialled’ in areas to be 

nominated and report back to Council. 

Part D 

That Council auspice the opportunities to develop a Skate Park Users Association.” 

Mornington Peninsula Shire Council 1

Council Meeting – Monday, 25 October, 2010 

Mount Eliza Skate Park ITEM NO. 2.4 

BACKGROUND (CONT’D) 

Prior to the abovementioned Council meeting, at a Council Meeting on 22 May, 2006, Council 

adopted “ … that Ranelagh Drive, Mount Eliza, near the scout hall be selected as the preferred site 

for the construction of a skate facility in Mount Eliza”. Council adopted a junior low profile (plaza 

style) street style course with views maintained through the Skate Park to the parkland, similar to the 

Rosebud Skate Park. 

At the request of the Ward Councillor, a Forward Planning Committee Meeting was held on 29 April, 

2010 to hear from Mount Eliza Residents regarding previously considered locations for a Skate Park 

in the region. 

PROCESS 

Mount Eliza Skate Park Site Assessment Matrix 

Emil Madsen Reserve is located on Wooralla Drive, approximately 4 kilometres from the Mount Eliza 

Village. The reserve is classified as an ‘Active Sports Reserve’ and its development and focus is a 

place for formal active sports participation. The reserve is comprised of: 

• Three sports grounds; 

• Two sports pavilions; 

• Four cricket practice wickets; 

• Large tracts of open space; 

• Separate public toilet facilities; 

• Two playgrounds and BBQ areas; 

• A BMX track; and 

• Three car parks. 

At the Council Meeting on 23 July, 2007 Council adopted the Long Term Master Plan for Emil 

Madsen Reserve. Emil Madsen Reserve had previously been considered as part of the original 

assessment (2005), however further specific sites are also investigated in this report. 

A detailed comparative assessment between the three preferred sites in Mount Eliza (Ranelagh Drive, 

Community Centre and Rotary Park) and four identified sites at Emil Madsen Reserve for a skate park 

has been undertaken. See Attachment 1 for Emil Madsen Reserve Skate Park location options. 

The assessment of sites was undertaken using the Sport and Recreation Victoria ‘Skate Facility Guide 

Criterion’. The criteria includes land availability, site conditions, visibility of site, location of 

catchment/users, proximity of site to support services, accessibility of the site, design integration of 

the reserve and retention of site amenity. 

The Assessment has used a rating of 1-10, where a score of ‘1’ is a poor assessment of the site based 

on the criterion and a score of ‘10’ is an outstanding assessment. 




PROCESS (CONT’D) 

Mount Eliza Skate Park Site Assessment Matrix (Cont’d) 

The Total Score is the sum of each assessment rating. The higher the Total Score for a site, the more 

favourable the potential site. 

See Attachment 2 for the Mount Eliza Skate Park Assessment Matrix. 

DISCUSSION 

Mornington Peninsula Bicycle Strategy ‘Ridesafe’ and the Footpath Construction Strategy 

The Mornington Peninsula Bicycle Strategy ‘Ridesafe’ was adopted by Council at the Council 

meeting on 21 June, 2010. The program currently has an allocation of $300,000 in the 2010/2011 

adopted Budget. The Strategy focuses on providing integrated and safe bicycle facilities that 

encourage and provide opportunities for residents and visitors to use bicycles as a means of transport, 

undertake healthy exercise and participate in recreational activities across the environments of the 

Mornington Peninsula. 

The Footpath Construction Strategy was adopted by Council at the Council Meeting on 10 October, 

2007. The Footpath Construction Strategy applies to all urban areas of the municipality and focuses 

on the provision of permanent paths for pedestrian use. Council has an allocation of $500,000 in the 

2010/2011 adopted Budget. 

The Bicycle Strategy and the Footpath Construction Strategy both seek to address Shire pathway 

requirements. Eligible pathway projects are prioritised using an Evaluation Matrix which assesses the 

following criteria to determine a comparative score. 

Road Formation Width Narrow roads are more hazardous to pedestrians. 

Speed Limit Higher the speed limit, the greater the risk to pedestrians. 

Sight Distance Road geometry can reduce visibility of pedestrians to drivers. 

Vegetation Removal Extent and type of vegetation removal required. 

Daily Traffic Travelling along a street or road increases the risk to pedestrians 

who may be forced to walk on a road or road shoulder. 

Parking Demand Parked cars can force pedestrians into the middle of the road. 

Alternative Access 

Alternative access available off the road formation that can be 

used by most pedestrians. 

Requests and Petitions Level of community support. 

Disability Access Path required enabling access for disabled. 

Surrounding Zones 

Density and type of surrounding development will influence the 

level of usage of a path. 

Activity Node 1 

Service primary facility i.e. schools, shops, halls and medical 

centres. 

Activity Node 2 Service a secondary adjacent facility to Activity node 1. 

Path Hierarchy Road classifications. 

Terrain Type of terrain will influence construction costs. 

Cost Cost of construction. 




DISCUSSION (CONT’D) 

Construction Strategy Matrix 

The following proposed pathways are in relation to access of Emil Madsen Reserve. 

Street/Road Section Estimated Cost 

Wooralla Drive Tower Road to Nepean Highway $281,000 

Wooralla Drive Tower Road to Emil Madsen Reserve $359,000 

Mornington Rail Moorooduc Highway to Wooralla Drive Bicycle Path through Mornington 

Reserve 

Rail Reserve is expected to be 

Mornington Rail Wooralla Drive to Oakbank Road funded as part of the Linking 

Reserve 

Melbourne Authority, which is 

currently subject to discussion with 

Melbourne Water. The section of 

pathway is expected to be 

completed by 2013. 

See Attachment 3 for the map of proposed pathways 

Protection of Shire Assets and Closed Circuit Television 

Convic Skate Park Designers are considered to be the market leaders in skate park design. Convic 

have indicated that good management and design of a skate park in a central location can send 

important messages to young people about their value and acceptance by the community. The Sport 

and Recreation Victoria ‘Skate Facility Guide’ suggests that in order to enhance the security of a skate 

park, it is recommended it be located in a visible, well lit, heavy trafficked area with good passive 

surveillance. 

Similarly, ‘Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design’ (CPTED) can be incorporated into 

skate facility design. CPTED is a multi-disciplinary approach that can help deter criminal behavior 

through environmental design. CPTED strategies rely upon the ability to influence offender decisions 

that precede criminal acts (most implementations of CPTED occur solely within the urban 

environment). CPTED principles outline a number of valuable ways that can enhance the natural 

surveillance of a site. Key principles include the placement of physical features to maximise visibility, 

placements of activities to maximise surveillance possibilities and the maintenance of minimum 

lighting standards. 

Good design along with good passive surveillance is part of a range of measures that can be 

incorporated into a skate park design in order to protect Shire assets. Another measure that can be 

incorporated is the introduction of CCTV. CCTV is the use of video cameras to transmit a signal to a 

specific place. CCTV systems can operate continuously or as required to monitor any particular event. 

Convic have indicated that CCTV can be incorporated into the design of a skate park by strategically 

locating cameras within any skate park element. 

The introduction of a CCTV system could help to deter vandalism and graffiti as well as help 

prosecute offenders, however, there is considerable debate concerning the effectiveness of CCTV 

cameras in preventing crime. Research undertaken by Bond University (2006) in Queensland found 

that “ … the effectiveness of CCTV as a crime prevention tool is questionable and from the research it 

appears CCTV is effective at detecting violent crime and or may result in increased reporting as 

opposed to preventing any type of crime”. 





Protection of Shire Assets and Closed Circuit Television (Cont’d) 

CCTV cameras have been found to be vulnerable, against a variety of (mostly illegal) tactics including 

deliberately destroying the cameras and spraying substances over the lens which can make images too 

blurry to be viewed. Opponents of CCTV suggest there is a loss of privacy of the people under 

surveillance and the negative impact of surveillance on civil liberties. 

Some skate parks in Australia have attracted Federal funding to install CCTV cameras in their skate 

areas. The City of Playford’s Youth Precinct Skate Park in South Australia received funding under the 

Safer Suburbs Plan in 2008 as part of a package to install CCTV at three locations within its 

municipality. Other Councils including City of Adelaide (South Australia) and Auburn Council (New 

South Wales) have taken a different approach by installing webcams at their skate parks, which can be 

viewed online by the general public. 

At the Council Meeting on 28 June, 2010 Council requested officers prepare a report on possible 

CCTV options for the coverage of Emil Madsen Reserve. Three options are presented for 

consideration as follows. 

Option A 

• One camera will be installed primarily to identify registration plates and make/model of 

vehicles entering the reserve (40 metres from the driveway entrance); and 

• Two cameras monitoring the clubhouse building and skate car parks from a fixed position. 

Advantages 

• Monitors traffic in and out of the reserve; 

• Identifies perpetrators vehicles for Police; and 

• Monitors Shire building assets. 

Disadvantages 

• Does not monitor skate park users. 

Option B 

• Six super high resolution cameras will be monitoring the skate park and seating areas and 

deliver high quality and detailed footage. 

Advantages 

• Monitors skate park users; 

• Identifies perpetrators for Police; and 

• Monitors Shire skate park assets. 





Protection of Shire Assets and Closed Circuit Television (Cont’d) 

Option B (Cont’d) 

Disadvantages 

• Does not monitor traffic in or out of the reserve or identify perpetrators vehicles; and 

• Does not monitor Shire building assets. 

Option C 

• Option A and B combined. 

Advantages 

• Monitors skate park, Shire building assets and traffic in and out of the reserve; and 

• Identifies perpetrators for Police. 

Disadvantages 

• Higher cost installation of system. 

All options require CCTV cameras to be fixed on a 6 metre high galvanised steel post. A digital 

recorder would be required to be housed in secure equipment enclosure situated in nearby football 

clubrooms with high speed internet access. The system may be managed remotely or can be recorded 

and stored locally via the digital recorder. The introduction of CCTV coverage is expected to cost 

between $15,000 and $30,000. 

Temporary Skate Park Model 

The Skate and BMX Strategy adopted by Council at the Council Meeting on 23 June, 2008 found that 

young people preferred ‘structured permanent equipment’ compared to temporary mobile equipment. 

The Shire has two portable mini ramps that provide access to a skate facility for townships without a 

permanent facility across the Peninsula. The ramps are rotated around Shire townships on a monthly 

basis in both the Western Port and Port Phillip regions. The ramps are of steel construction and 

require transportation by a prime mover. 

Convic Designers indicated that there are transportable temporary skate park models that exist on the 

market. Generally the models require a flat surface such as a disused basketball court or concrete pad 

to enable use. In general, an area of 11 metres by 15 metres is required to enable use of the various 

models that exist on the market, equivalent to a three quarter size tennis court. 

Two companies, Rampage Design and Skateramps Australia are considered to be the market leaders 

in design, manufacture and construction of portable skate facilities in Australia. The models have 

been used by Councils with dispersed population centres as an alternative to a number of fixed 

structures. One model has been developed by Rampage Design which is a Semi Mobile Park 

consisting of transportable elements that are installed via forklift. The modular elements can be placed 

in a number of different configurations on a hard surface base. The skate able surfaces are constructed 

out of reinforced concrete, which reduces noise emanating from the structures. The Semi Mobile Park 

unit has been used by a number of Councils including Shire of Albany (Western Australia) and City of 

Swan (Western Australia). 





Temporary Skate Park Model (Cont’d) 

Alternatively Skateramps Australia has developed a mobile trailer unit (Mobile Fun Box [MFB]). The 

unit is constructed out of steel and is coated with sound reduction materials. The exterior is 

constructed out of a galvanized cladding. The Hindmarsh Shire Council (South Australia) and Moyne 

Shire Council (Victoria) currently utilise the MFB model. 

The cost of a transportable Temporary Skate Park Model ranges from $15,000 to $40,000 plus the 

additional cost of $30,000 per site where the addition of a hard surfaced base is required. Additional 

cost for the transportation of the unit would need to be budgeted for and or the installation of the 

elements required from location to location. The Shire’s Skate and BMX Strategy recommends 

eventual decommissioning of the old mobile skate ramp and purchase of new mobile facilities. 

Currently, it is estimated that they have a 10 year life expectancy. 

Skate Park Users Association 

The Skate and BMX Strategy adopted by Council at the Council Meeting on 23 June, 2008 indicated 

that skate and bike sports are very popular with young males, who are likely to participate in these 

sports as their interest in team based and organised sporting activities tend to decline. 

There is no recognised National skateboarding association registered with the Australian Sports 

Commission or State body equivalent recognised by Sport and Recreation Victoria. The sport remains 

relatively unstructured. 

Council indicated a desire to see a club-based skate association group formed, similar to other sporting 

clubs with structured programs and parental support. This concept has been trialled in the City of 

Hume (Victoria), where local shop owners partnered with Council to form a skate association. The 

skate association was formalised as an incorporated body in 2002 and grew to over 400 members. The 

skate association held skills clinics, events and competitions in skateboarding and BMX riding at local 

parks. The City of Hume reported that the group formed to lobby Council to a build a skate facility 

and following the construction of a facility the association disbanded. 

The Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Youth Services Team ‘Skate and Create’ program provides 

opportunity for young people to improve the public perception of young people who utilise skate parks 

on the Peninsula. The group forms strategies for better management of local skate parks, propose new 

ideas to help shape existing facilities and develop plans for future recreational multi use areas such as 

skate parks. The program currently includes 20 active participants and shifts its focus on a bi-annual 

basis around the Peninsula’s townships based on the Communities That Care (CTC) area groupings 

program. Events coordinated through the program have engaged up to 300 youth. 

POLICY CONTEXT 

The Shire has a number of policies and reports that have been developed that relate to the siting of a 

skate park in Mount Eliza. The key policies and reports are as follows: 

• Skate and BMX Strategy adopted by Council on 23 June, 2008; 

• John Butler Reserve Master Plan (including Skate Park) adopted by Council on 27 October, 

2008; 

• Emil Madsen Reserve Master Plan adopted by Council on 23 July, 2007; 




POLICY CONTEXT (CONT’D) 

• Draft Active Sports Strategy – develop facilities to service growth sports; 

• Footpath Construction Strategy adopted by Council on 10 October, 2007; and 

• Mornington Peninsula Bicycle Strategy ‘Ridesafe’ was adopted by Council on 21 June, 2010. 

OFFICER DIRECT OR INDIRECT INTEREST 

No person involved in the preparation of this report has a direct or indirect interest requiring 

disclosure. 

CONSULTATION 

A Forward Planning Committee Meeting was held on 29 April, 2010 to hear from Mount Eliza 

Residents regarding previously considered locations for a Skate Park in the region (see Attachment 4 

for the minutes of this meeting). 

COMMUNITY PLAN 

“ Outcome 3.3 – Accessible, Valued and Well Utilised Community Resources 

3.3.3 To develop and manage community facilities and spaces according to community needs 

and values. 

Outcome 3.5 – An Active Connected and Informed Community 

3.5.2 To enhance the community’s opportunity to participate in a diverse range of recreational, 

leisure and volunteering experiences.” 

FINANCIAL ISSUES 

Based on early cost estimations, Council allocated $200,000 (2007/2008 Budget) for the construction 

and design of a skate park at John Butler Reserve in Mount Eliza. Due to the delay in the site 

selection, rises in construction costs are now expected to increase the final cost to approximately 

$255,000. 

If an alternative site to the current adopted site of John Butler Reserve (22 May, 2006) is deemed more 

appropriate, new skate park designs would be required (as design is site specific). This is expected to 

add a further $20,000 to the total project cost. 

The introduction of transportable street elements are expected to cost between $15,000 and $40,000 

plus $30,000 per site for hard surfaced base where required. 

Full construction of shared pathways along Wooralla Drive is expected to cost $640,000. The 

introduction of CCTV is expected to cost between $15,000 and $30,000. 




SUSTAINABILITY IMPLICATIONS 

The sustainability of the various sites is an important element in the site selection. 

Effective site selection can minimise vehicle use if the site is centrally located and young people can 

get there by their own means. The selection of construction materials can reduce the level of 

maintenance required and improve graffiti removal. 

The introduction of a skate facility can have a positive impact on the level of trade for local retail 

outlets. 

CONCLUSION 

The three preferred sites which include the Community Centre Site, Rotary Park and Ranelagh Drive 

are the highest ranked sites for the successful siting of a skate park according to the Sport and 

Recreation Victoria criteria. The Emil Madsen sites all scored low in comparison to the three 

preferred sites. 

The detailed concept design for a skate facility at the Ranelagh Drive site has been completed. 

RECOMMENDATION 

1. That the three central Mount Eliza sites (Community Centre, Rotary Park and 

Ranelagh Drive) remain the preferred sites for Mount Eliza Skate Park. 

2. That Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) be incorporated into the design of the 

Mount Eliza Skate Park in accordance with other Crime Prevention Through 

Environmental Design (CPTED) applications.

Mornington Peninsula Shire Council 1 REPORT TO Council Meeting ...

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