Leslie Williams, Member for Port Macquarie, today announced that over $300,000 has been awarded to the Lake Cathie Bonny Hills Lions Club who applied for the grant on behalf of the Lake Cathie Skate Park Committee.

“The Committee has worked hard over the years to see young people of the area provided with a skate park and it’s exciting to announce it will soon become a reality.  

“Up until now there really hasn’t been a lot of youth focused attractions in Lake Cathie so the skate park will certainly fill a void,” Mrs Williams said.

“I’d also like to thank the Lake Cathie Bonny Hills Lions Club for auspicing the grant application for the Committee.” 

Lake Cathie Skate Park President, Mick Fullbrook said a lot of planning has gone into the proposed skate park. By integrating thoughtful landscape architecture and modern recreation design, the result will be an attractive, spectator-friendly skate & recreation park within Foreshore Reserve. 

“The Park will include a street section, pump track and open bowl which will entices users and spectators of all ages to gather and interact,” Mr Fullbrook said.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said $100 million was being distributed across regional NSW, with over $50 million to fund infrastructure and programs designed to directly benefit regional youth.

To date, rounds one and two of the program have funded more than 1,000 projects. 

“Locals across regional NSW are seeing the benefits of rounds one and two of the Fund, with projects making a big difference to everyday life, from new playgrounds loved by kids to light towers illuminating sporting fields,” Mr Barilaro said.

“We are funding grassroots projects that make a real difference to each community, and we know how important it is to support our regional towns with new infrastructure and programs.”

Minister for Regional Youth, Bronnie Taylor, said round 3 of the Stronger Country Communities Fund is putting young people front and centre, boosting job skills, providing the activities and infrastructure that make regional communities better places to live and work. 

“This round of the Fund is supporting young people and giving them the opportunity to be the best versions of themselves, while also supporting infrastructure and programs in the town they love,” Mrs Taylor said. 

“The strength of regional communities is dependent on young people having the opportunity to thrive, while remaining at home in regional NSW. 

“We are following through with our election commitment to spend $50 million of the Fund on regional youth, and it will be exciting to see the benefit this has for our young people.”

The $400 million Stronger Country Communities Fund is part of the NSW Government’s $1.7 billion Regional Growth Fund, which is being invested in local programs and infrastructure that improve the lives of people living in regional NSW.