Council backs skating Neverland
A PROFESSIONAL golfer’s dream to turn his property into a training venue for elite skaters has been backed by South Gippsland Shire Council.
Peter Wilson has built the largest skate ramp in Australia – spanning a total of 113m and at a cost of nearly $200,000 – on his 4.6ha property at Nyora.
The enthusiastic skater has already built a golf driving range and putting green.
Mr Wilson’s Facebook page labels his property the “Mega Ranch” and “my Never Land”. Never Land was the fictional home of the eternal boy character Peter Pan.
But his neighbours are fuming and want the giant ramp dismantled, labelling it “a monstrosity”. They said they want a peaceful life, not an amusement park in their backyard, and accused council of failing to enforce the law.
Council last Wednesday issued a planning permit for the megaramp, despite it already being built.
Council’s development services director Bryan Sword said a building permit was not initially required for the ramp as it was a structure not classifiable under the Victorian Building Regulations, and therefore exempt from building permit requirements.
“A planning permit for the ramp was later required due to the changing nature and use of the ramp – proposed to be used for events and training,” he said.
Mr Wilson offers the ramp – one of only three in the world – to elite skaters to train. The other megaramps are in the United States of America.
World champion skater Tas Pappas achieved the complex maneouvre known as the ‘900’ at the Nyora megaramp, after 20 years of trying.
Mr Wilson said his neighbours had embarked on a “vindictive campaign” to shut his vision down.
“Only about six skaters in Australia can use the ramp,” he told a meeting of council.
“I have self funded the megaramp to create dreams.”
The Nyora megaramp comprises two sections: the first is 77m long, six metres wide and four metres high. It enables a skater to jump over a waterway and land on the second section, 36m long, 12m wide and seven metres high.
Mr Wilson was supported by City of Port Phillip councillor Serge Thomann.
“You have got a professional athlete that has got high expectations of his children and his son will one day be world champion,” Cr Thomann told council.
He read a statement he claimed was from Jono Schwan, a world class skater.
“As a professional megaskater myself, I sincerely hope the council can see the benefit of Peter Wilson’s generosity and contribution to Australian skateboarding and the progression of the sport,” he wrote.
Neighbours said the megaramp at 80 Restlee Drive should not have been built on a block in a rural living zone surrounded by small lifestyle properties.
They cited noise, the prospect of up to 80 extra vehicles a day and safety in the Restlee Drive cul-de-sac as issues.
Gary Clarke said the megaramp was not an appropriate use of the land.
“I’ve complained to council for six years about this and nothing has been done,” he told councillors.
“Can you please explain how the council can allow such a monstrosity to be built in a rural area?
“The only successful outcome from this matter is for council to have the megaramp dismantled.”
Julie Clarke said her young children had trouble sleeping due to noisy skaters and “the irritating sound of BMX rides going up and down the ramp”.
Belinda Cetnar said the megaramp was a building and should have required a building permit.
“It is a concern that you (council) have not upheld this,” she said.
Council allowed the megaramp to host public events but required a permit to be applied for.
For ordinary use, council stipulated the megaramp only be used from 10am-6pm seven days a week, with a maximum of 10 people.
Neighbour Robyn Mills said even at 10 people per hour, that could be 80 people a day, increasing traffic.
“While the applicant has proposed there could be three public events a year, there is no restriction on the number of events in the permit conditions,” she said.
Construction of the ramp began in 2010.
At last Wednesday’s council meeting, council approved a planning permit for the skate ramp, a store/changeroom and house, with 23 conditions.
Neighbours threatened to take council’s decision to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
Deputy mayor Cr Nigel Hutchinson-Brooks said if council refused a permit, Mr Wilson could take the matter to VCAT.
“Going to VCAT is a game of Russian roulette. It depends on the panel member you get on the day and which side of the bed they got out of that morning,” Cr Hutchinson-Brooks said.
Cr Bob Newton said council would be criticised regardless of its decision.
“This application has divided the community and it’s a hell of a shame. This facility is offered to young people to be able to access world class facilities,” he said.
Objector Vicki Williams yelled from the gallery, “How could all you guys do this? It’s wrong. It sucks.” She then left the chamber.
Controversial project: the two sections of the megaramp that has divided the community of Restlee Drive at Nyora. Photo source: Facebook.
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Posted by Tayla Kershaw on Mar 31 2015. Filed under Featured, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
