24 February 2009

Commonwealth moolah flows to Eddison and Glebe Parks

| johnboy
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When we think of “infrastructure projects” we generally like to think of big stuff. Continent spanning fibre-optic lines, double track electrified railway, huge water pipelines, dual carriageways with flyovers, canals, harbours, and dams.

But Mr Stanhope has announced that the first benefits of all this infrastructure splurging are going to be more prosaic.

    The funding, from the Rudd Labor Government’s $800 million Community Infrastructure Program, will deliver a $1.4 million youth facility for Woden’s Eddison Park and $600,000 in upgrades to Glebe Park in Civic.

Apparently Woden’s Eddison park is “Canberra’s most central district park” and there’s a blogspot on which to get involved in the consultation on exactly what amenity it should have.


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Pommy bastard7:27 pm 26 Feb 09

Where does it say that on the blog? (Happy to donate another $50 if it does.)

eddisonyouthplaza7:00 pm 26 Feb 09

There is no youth centre. It is a park and the facility is outdoor recreation based.

Clarification has been posted on the blog.

It is good news the bushfire appeal will get another $50.

“Local man eats foot, donates $50 to charity” – film at 11.

Pommy bastard2:55 pm 25 Feb 09

Granny said :

Yep, I’ll take your bet. How much?

$50 to the bushfire appeal?

And if Granny loses, she can volunteer some of her time at the Eddison Park Youth Plaza Centre Thing.

I think if Pommy Bastard loses the bet he should be required to attend the opening of the Youth Plaza or whatever they put there wearing nothing but a union jack.

Yep, I’ll take your bet. How much?

Pommy bastard2:13 pm 25 Feb 09

Dante said :

Have you even bothered to look at the proposal PB? I didn’t think you were going to be able to swallow your entire foot but you’re well on the way.

Yes, I’ve read it. And yes, just like you and Granny, I am speculating on what may appear there.

If you are so convinced there will be no “youth centre” or similar venue to compliment, and/or house the art display areas or the performance stage equipment, changing rooms, or you think there will be no linkage to Woden Youth Centre, you may possibly like to taske a wager on it?

VYBerlinaV8_the_one_they_all_copy2:13 pm 25 Feb 09

OK THEN

It might contain anything, but since they’re at the consulting stage and the draft plans won’t even be ready till Saturday I’d say … surprise, surprise … that they’re calling for community input on what should be in Eddison Park.

Sort of like what they said in the press release.

But if it makes sense to you to combine it with the totally unmentioned and unrelated Woden Youth Centre, you should feel free to make a suggestion.

VYBerlinaV8_the_one_they_all_copy2:02 pm 25 Feb 09

That doesn’t make the original comment about yoof centres any less funny.

But then I am easily amused.

.

.

.

Which is why I read RiotACT.

Have you even bothered to look at the proposal PB? I didn’t think you were going to be able to swallow your entire foot but you’re well on the way.

Pommy bastard1:41 pm 25 Feb 09

I think you’ll find that

“Canberra’s youth would benefit from this multi-use recreational facility which could include a performance stage for events such as Youth Week, art display areas, skate facilities and play equipment such as a climbing net. Interactive areas such as volleyball and basketball courts and a flying fox could also be part of the new recreational facility.

Would indicate that some sort of centre/accomodation/cafe/indoor area, would be needed for these. Given the proximity of the “youth Centre”, it would make sense that this would be part of, or incorporated into, any design, would it not?

Well said, Dante!

: )

What Centre??

Youth facility != youth centre. Geez!

Read the proposal provided and you’ll realise it’s an outdoor recreation area, including potential for a plaza type skating area which is sorely under represented in Canberra.

Read through the proposal and you’ll see the current safety issues with current Canberra skate parks as well.. it’s not that hard to become informed before commenting Rioters.

I’ve just joined this thread, and feel that some of you are just a bit side-tracked. That’s right, there is already a Youth Centre nearby, which is a hot-bed of crime. How do i know? I live close by, and one of my sons was whacked over the head with a piece of timber and robbed a while back by two of these little darlings who hang out there. It turned out that one of these losers had already jumped bail for a similar offence there. There is also a lot of drug-dealing at the centre.

Who then, will run this Centre? The same mob (whoever they are) as now? I have no faith that the Stanhope govt is capable of even building such a facility, let alone run it properly.

Of course youth need something to do, but it needs to be in a responsible manner, properly managed and supervised. hands up those who think this will happen?

amarooresident212:58 pm 25 Feb 09

Does nobody read the actual press release?

Now your asking for too much.

VYBerlinaV8_the_one_they_all_copy12:55 pm 25 Feb 09

It’s funny because hippies sitting around with kids wagging school, has, in fact, been known to happen.

And the funny aspect is what I focussed on.

VYBerlinaV8_the_one_they_all_copy said :

Oh brilliant. And what will this “youth facility” do for the money of? Provide a place where a lot of otherwise unemployable hippies will be paid to sit around drinking coffee with kids bunking off school, and doing “community arts” bollocks which will entertain nobody but themselves.

There’s enough truth in this to make it very, very funny. I laughed out loud when I read it.

Of course yoof need facilities, but how about thinking outside the box a bit rather than just giving the same bums somewhere to park their can when they should be at school.

What truth?

Nowhere in the press release or anywhere else I could find has a youth centre been mentioned at all. This was an assumption made by one commenter with no factual basis to support it, and others seem to have accepted it as gospel.

What we are really talking about here is a park. Think playground, adventure park, stage 88, sports facilities, skating, street art, possibly bikes.

How controversial!

Does nobody read the actual press release?

trevar said :

There’s a delicious irony in the fact that so many people take an interest in minority interests…

Terk er jerbs!!!

There’s a delicious irony in the fact that so many people take an interest in minority interests…

I don’t see how basketball and volleyball courts, art space and a performance stage are minority interests. Heck, you could even use the skate plaza if you can skate, and the flying fox if you’re like me and PreciousLilywhite, who will no doubt be having a great time flying foxing!

Wheeeeeeee!

VYBerlinaV8_the_one_they_all_copy11:40 am 25 Feb 09

I was referring to any special interest group, of which youth are one.

I’ve just waded through this blog, and I had the same thoughts as others. I used to live close by Eddison Park, and was aware that there was also a youth centre just a few hundred meters away, so was wondering what was proposed that would be different.

On the subject of Eddison Park, it used to be a great place to take my kid when he was young – a pond to muck around, nice grass and trees, ducks etc. Recent forays there reveal that its very rundown, the pond is green scum, the whole area is pretty tawdry and unwelcoming. It was used as the centre of the community celebrations when the olympic torch ran through town in 2000. I doubt it would be now. So, yes, spend some money on it. Bore water for the pond, some furniture repairs, perhaps a toilet block? Youth can use it too.

VYBerlinaV8_the_one_they_all_copy said :

I’ve noticed that it’s very easy and popular to use those terms toward anyone that has an opinion that doesn’t run along the lines of “free love, do whatever we want, no right or wrong, and anything spent on minority interests must be money well spent…”

Kids are a “minority interest” now? When did this happen?

VYBerlinaV8_the_one_they_all_copy11:22 am 25 Feb 09

I’ve noticed that it’s very easy and popular to use those terms toward anyone that has an opinion that doesn’t run along the lines of “free love, do whatever we want, no right or wrong, and anything spent on minority interests must be money well spent…”

Pommy bastard11:19 am 25 Feb 09

VYBerlinaV8_the_one_they_all_copy said :

Oh brilliant. And what will this “youth facility” do for the money of? Provide a place where a lot of otherwise unemployable hippies will be paid to sit around drinking coffee with kids bunking off school, and doing “community arts” bollocks which will entertain nobody but themselves.

There’s enough truth in this to make it very, very funny. I laughed out loud when I read it.

Well you can join my “Hate-filled offensively bigoted person’s club” then.

VYBerlinaV8_the_one_they_all_copy11:11 am 25 Feb 09

Oh brilliant. And what will this “youth facility” do for the money of? Provide a place where a lot of otherwise unemployable hippies will be paid to sit around drinking coffee with kids bunking off school, and doing “community arts” bollocks which will entertain nobody but themselves.

There’s enough truth in this to make it very, very funny. I laughed out loud when I read it.

Of course yoof need facilities, but how about thinking outside the box a bit rather than just giving the same bums somewhere to park their can when they should be at school.

PreciousLilywhite10:34 am 25 Feb 09

“It’s money that we didn’t have anyway so I’d kind of like to see it used in an imaginative and exciting way. Much as I’m pro-GDE it would seem to be a kind of boring, prosaic way to spend the money. Possibly a very wise way, but I love a bit of vision and drama and something that puts a bit of fire in my belly.

: )”

Neh. You’re right granny. Now I feel like a fuddy duddy :#
I might just pull my trousers down from under my armpits and relax a little.

Hooray for flying foxes! Just build em large enough to hold us bigger kids! 🙂

Granny said :

You should make that comment on their blog, I think. It’s a valid concern, although I can also understand the excitement about the skating and BMX stuff.

I’ve been trying to make it on their blog, but am having–how you say–technical difficulties… I’ll keep trying.

Granny said :

Also, most of them probably haven’t done a lot of art or performance I would think. My teenager certainly hasn’t, although she would like to.

You’re right, all the teens who are involved with the arts are probably too busy with the arts to comment!

Also, most of them probably haven’t done a lot of art or performance I would think. My teenager certainly hasn’t, although she would like to.

You should make that comment on their blog, I think. It’s a valid concern, although I can also understand the excitement about the skating and BMX stuff.

Granny said :

There is the art space, Trevar, and the stage for performances. Plus the basketball and volleyball courts and the climbing net – whatever that is. Presumably something similar to the rockclimbing walls. Those ideas all came out of the original consultation I think.

I was mainly concerned about the fact that all the consultation seems to be digging up so far is comments on the proposed skate park. Surely if they are talking about art and performance space, consultations should include Canberra Youth Theatre and Jigsaw Theatre and Messengers and other visual arts orgs?

There’s a flying fox proposed too. I think the artistically gifted could make a real contribution to the upcoming consultation on the art space, Trevar and E.L.K. and people!

: )

Skate parks do seem popular anyway. I wonder why skate parks don’t have an insurance problem?

I think the govt should do more for teenagers. It is an age where you can go right off the rails, or not. And they can’t yet drive, so there needs to be stuff in places apart from Civic.

And money is spent on other age groups and interest groups (sport, art galleries, toddlers etc).

There is the art space, Trevar, and the stage for performances. Plus the basketball and volleyball courts and the climbing net – whatever that is. Presumably something similar to the rockclimbing walls. Those ideas all came out of the original consultation I think.

Pommy bastard10:06 am 25 Feb 09

Mr Stanhope said the government was consulting the community on what they want from the youth facility, which could include a skate plaza, play equipment and a performance area.

“We are also engaging with representatives from key community groups including the Canberra Skateboarding Association, Woden Youth Centre, Backbone BMX, Woden Valley Community Council, Shifty’s Skate shop, Youth Coalition and the Australian Federal Police through a special reference group.

Stacking the odds there much? And seeing as we already have;

Belconnen Skate Park
Tuggeranong Skate Park
Weston Creek Skate Park
Charnwood Bowl
Dickson Mini Ramp
Erindale Banks
Gungahlin Skate Park
The Yard Skate Park

Isn’t it time for something different?

Well, apparently a lot of those ideas actually came from the kids themselves – the blog is quite interesting. They really do know what they want, I think. I believe it’s great that they’re getting so involved in the consultation.

It’s money that we didn’t have anyway so I’d kind of like to see it used in an imaginative and exciting way. Much as I’m pro-GDE it would seem to be a kind of boring, prosaic way to spend the money. Possibly a very wise way, but I love a bit of vision and drama and something that puts a bit of fire in my belly.

: )

Seems just about all the comments relate to just another skate park. They’ll have to consult someone other than skaters if they want a ‘Youth Plaza’, whatever the hell that is. It would be good if just one park built for adolescents was something other than a skate park, wouldn’t it? I don’t object to skate parks, but $1.4m seems an awful lot of money for a concreted hole.

PreciousLilywhite9:55 am 25 Feb 09

Granny, they are great ideas and if I thought this government could actually manage a project through to completion, I’d be more in support of it.
As it is, with all their c*ckups already, I don’t think the government should be allowed to start these lovely new projects until they see others that have fallen by the wayside through to fruition.
I’m sure the youth of today would be happiest knowing that money was spent on getting the tax paying adults to work on time. Could this signifigant amount of money not help with fixing the Parkway/GDE or improving our public transport?
(Sorry to drag it off topic or sounds broken recordish 🙂

Let’s return the conversation to the subject at hand shall we?

Pommy bastard said :

Nothing to say about the topic in hand then?

Your hatefilled attitude seems to become ‘the topic in hand’ on a sadly regular basis.

I’m surprised that you’re not going to deny that you did it this time. Or perhaps try a convoluted argument that it’s all about everyone’s “poor comprehension” and that what you said was eminently reasonable and you’ve been maliciously misunderstood.

Pommy bastard9:36 am 25 Feb 09

Jim Jones said :

Oh brilliant. And what will this “youth facility” do for the money of? Provide a place where a lot of otherwise unemployable hippies will be paid to sit around drinking coffee with kids bunking off school, and doing “community arts” bollocks which will entertain nobody but themselves.

That’s my guess in any case. Yours?

Wow. Just … wow.

You’re about the most offensively bigoted person I think I’ve ever met. Kudos.

Nothing to say about the topic in hand then?

Pommy bastard said :

The funding, from the Rudd Labor Government’s $800 million Community Infrastructure Program, will deliver a $1.4 million youth facility for Woden’s Eddison Park and $600,000 in upgrades to Glebe Park in Civic.

Oh brilliant. And what will this “youth facility” do for the money of? Provide a place where a lot of otherwise unemployable hippies will be paid to sit around drinking coffee with kids bunking off school, and doing “community arts” bollocks which will entertain nobody but themselves.

That’s my guess in any case. Yours?

Wow. Just … wow.

You’re about the most offensively bigoted person I think I’ve ever met. Kudos.

Broken clock? You mean the scissor monument to circumcision? The Jewish community loves it!

I love it myself, but I think what is being suggested at Eddison Park is something entirely different, certainly more interactive. Which is why, despite sharing your cynicism, I also like to hold out some hope that something good might result.

Pommy bastard8:29 am 25 Feb 09

trevar said :

As an artist, I was originally offended by PB’s comments, but as I read more, it occurred to me that some of the nonsense artists carry on with should legitimately evoke a response such as PB’s.

Thank you for your honesty.

So, I agree with Granny et al that PB is a Philistine, but I don’t blame PB for being a Philistine because the best of intentions rarely seem to have the desired effect. They should rename it Stanhope Park and let His Cheifstein’s reputation rise and fall with the park’s…

My philistinism is informed by the public and community “art” we have, which seems to be a way of channeling public money into the pockets of charlatans. The broken clock at the end of Yamba drive is a fine example of this “public art”.

As an artist, I was originally offended by PB’s comments, but as I read more, it occurred to me that some of the nonsense artists carry on with should legitimately evoke a response such as PB’s.

When I first heard about the Eddison Park plan, I was relieved that something would happen with the park as it’s a waste of space as it stands. And since there are adventure playgrounds about the place for younger kids, it makes sense to establish something that caters for an older stage of childhood. There has been too solid a line between sport and art for centuries, and if we can blur it a bit, it could help with obesity as well as social issues. If it’s done well… which is not likely.

I would prefer the double track electric railway or a harbour (especially given that an inland harbour could be a world first!), and Glebe Park doesn’t need any attention, but I think there is some hope that the facility in Eddison Park could be more practical than it sounds.

So, I agree with Granny et al that PB is a Philistine, but I don’t blame PB for being a Philistine because the best of intentions rarely seem to have the desired effect. They should rename it Stanhope Park and let His Cheifstein’s reputation rise and fall with the park’s…

Pommy bastard7:23 am 25 Feb 09

Ooops, screwed up the quotes on that one try again…

Maybe when we have a definition of what this “youth facility” will be, we will have something to debate here.

However, my description may be wrong, as we already have this there;

Woden Youth Centre is a multi-purpose centre and youth service for young people aged 12 – 25.

The Centre is open for:
Drop-in Monday to Wednesday 2:00pm – 5.30pm
Thursday 12:00pm – 5.30pm
Fridays from 12:00pm – 7:00pm or 3.30pm – 10:00pm on Band nights (alternate Fridays)

Hours may vary slightly during school holidays. Other services may be accessed by arranging an appointment.

Services include:

* General drop-in facilities, including recreational and sporting activities
.
* Youth work/case management services
.
* Information, referral and advocacy services
.
* Bus Stop Café, currently staffed by volunteers and operating Thursdays and Fridays, serving affordable meals and snacks
.
* Regular band nights
.
* Organised activities and range of youth-culture activities
.
* Outreach and information services in local schools and colleges
.

PB, best to play nicer with others if you want to be heard.

Like this you mean John?

PB – are you an expert on troubled youth as well as women’s issues?

Pommy bastard7:21 am 25 Feb 09

Maybe when we have a definition of what this “youth facility” will be, we will have something to debate here.
However, my description may be wrong, as we alrady have this there;

johnboy said :

Woden Youth Centre is a multi-purpose centre and youth service for young people aged 12 – 25.

The Centre is open for:
Drop-in Monday to Wednesday 2:00pm – 5.30pm
Thursday 12:00pm – 5.30pm
Fridays from 12:00pm – 7:00pm or 3.30pm – 10:00pm on Band nights (alternate Fridays)

Hours may vary slightly during school holidays. Other services may be accessed by arranging an appointment.

Services include:

* General drop-in facilities, including recreational and sporting activities
.
* Youth work/case management services
.
* Information, referral and advocacy services
.
* Bus Stop Café, currently staffed by volunteers and operating Thursdays and Fridays, serving affordable meals and snacks
.
* Regular band nights
.
* Organised activities and range of youth-culture activities
.
* Outreach and information services in local schools and colleges
.
[/quote

johnboy said :

PB, best to play nicer with others if you want to be heard.

Like this you mean John?

sepi said :

PB – are you an expert on troubled youth as well as women’s issues?

I’ve never been to Eddison Park or the Woden Cemetery although I quite like some of the ideas they’ve come up with:

* a performance stage for events such as Youth Week
* art display areas,
* skate facilities
* play equipment such as a climbing net
* volleyball and basketball courts
* a flying fox

A lot of that infrastructure would be pretty sturdy and useful for most Canberrans as well.

Simpler times – simpler pleasures, Granny.

I find Eddison Park almost as weird as that small residential bit of Phillip that is sort of wodged between the cemetery and the hospital. Seems to be full of Older Australians for some reason. . .

lol

That’s kind of depressing, although it does give one something to look forward to in life.

We always visited the caretakers chooks and spent many harmless hours debating whether eating their eggs coud be regarded as sort of cannibalism. Then we’d climb the digger and go check for new graves,

The Cemetery – more exciting than Eddison Park!

Ah Eddison park. Great youth activities there back in the day. When the alleged vinnies building was being constructed there, some alleged youths allegedly stole an alleged steam roller from the yard and spent the night running down playground equipment, copper’s logs, and parking meters, before the steamie shat itself and they were chased away by the graveyard watchman. Allegedly.

Uh oh . . .

More for general behaviour.

This is a rare second warning. Only the foolish would vex me further.

proofpositive11:45 pm 24 Feb 09

johnboy said :

And consider your trolling warned PP.

So showing support to others of their contributions is now considered a censorable offence?

And consider your trolling warned PP.

proofpositive11:33 pm 24 Feb 09

Granny said :

It doesn’t take a whole lot of intelligence or ability to sneer at people or tear things down. It would be nice if you surprised me, however.

I find the contempt you hold toward PB highly insulting. His opinion was and remains highly valid. Indeed it is far more worthy than some of the snide comments I have seen you make on other stories within these hallowed pages over the last few months.

Props to PB! Onya!

PB, best to play nicer with others if you want to be heard.

Pommy bastard said :

Where did I; “insult the youth and the arts” granny? Care to quote?

The whole paragraph was insulting, but I’m not surprised that you lack the sensitivity and perception to realise it.

If you care, why not do a survey of high school and college students and artists and read your paragraph to them and ask them how complimentary they find the descriptors you use?

I could only describe it as rude. I’m not willing to get into another pointless argument about semantics. You don’t find it rude. I do. Some people will agree with you. Some people will agree with me.

But as far as it being a postive contribution? Come on ….

It doesn’t take a whole lot of intelligence or ability to sneer at people or tear things down. It would be nice if you surprised me, however.

proofpositive10:38 pm 24 Feb 09

Vic Bitterman said :

What’s wrong with the park?

Makes the government appear to the public as if they are doing something meaningful to stimulate the economy.

Vic Bitterman10:34 pm 24 Feb 09

I’m sure the proposed $600k on Glebe park can be spent better elsewhere. Like, our hospitals. What’s wrong with the park? $600k is huge coin.

Pommy bastard10:06 pm 24 Feb 09

Granny said :

Pommy bastard said :

Do you have anything to contribute to the topic at hand?

Other than insulting youth and the arts, you mean?

Where did I; “insult the youth and the arts” granny? Care to quote?

Thought not.

sepi said :

I’m interested to know how you would best spend the infrastructure funds on something to entertain bored young Canberrans?

I wouldn’t. It’s not the taxpayers responsibility to entertain disaffected youth.

The idea of a youth facility sounds ok to me – better doing community art than hanging around the bus interchange.

Far better they were in school learning. (I await the “they’d only be disruptive in schools” excuse .)

Apparently they go out to remote locations and build their own ramps, which is very creative – I understand the building of the ramp is part of the fun – but also very dangerous. Then, if they do get hurt, it can be quite difficult for them to get help quickly.

Apparently there are also a lot of girls who are into it, as I asked the guy about it, and he said some of their best riders were girls.

But the illegality and secrecy of everything, whilst undoubtedly adding a dash of spice, is also endangering their lives.

If a course was built locally it would give the kids something to do whilst enabling some control of the height, structural integrity and landing surface.

It was a really nice plan – a lot of thought and very neatly drawn up. It makes so much sense.

There were bmx dirt ramps set up at Downer oval oval by Downer Community Centre. They were demolished due to insurance problems.

It is no wonder youth are bored these days.

If you’ve had this kind of experience it might be helpful to get on their blogspot, Felix the Cat. You might be able to contribute some suggestions, or at least register your opposition to the project.

A lot of people on this forum do express the view that there is nothing / should be something for the youth to do, so I think, you know, the government try and listen to those sorts of views which are being put to them and then when they announce an initiative to address this they are still going to be criticised.

There are certainly initiatives for the youth that I’d like to see at Gungahlin. There was a guy speaking at the Gungahlin Community Council about a project to get dirt bike ramps built for the kids. I thought it was a great idea. I would really like to see some money go into some stuff like that.

Hmm doing up the park and moving the youth centre great infrastructure there, it will promote a few dozen jobs for a couple of months maybe? One wonders if they just want to do it for the value of the land of the current youth centre location..

Holden Caulfield8:59 pm 24 Feb 09

This might explain why I got cobbled on the phone this afternoon for 8 minutes doing a survey.

Felix the Cat8:49 pm 24 Feb 09

For what it’s worth I agree with PB. There used to be a “youth facility” in my suburb and there were drug deals going on nearby as well as vandalism (of the “youth facility” – clever, not!) and burnouts. That was just the goings on I was aware of, who knows what else was going on. A few years later the youth facility closed down and most of the trouble dissapeared at the same time.

Pommy bastard said :

Do you have anything to contribute to the topic at hand?

Other than insulting youth and the arts, you mean?

I’m interested to know how you would best spend the infrastructure funds on something to entertain bored young Canberrans?

The idea of a youth facility sounds ok to me – better doing community art than hanging around the bus interchange.

Pommy bastard8:27 pm 24 Feb 09

I’ve never claimed to be either sepi. I’m merely voicing an opinion, which, I believe, is what this website is for.

Do you have anything to contribute to the topic at hand?

PB – are you an expert on troubled youth as well as women’s issues?

Pommy bastard7:46 pm 24 Feb 09

The funding, from the Rudd Labor Government’s $800 million Community Infrastructure Program, will deliver a $1.4 million youth facility for Woden’s Eddison Park and $600,000 in upgrades to Glebe Park in Civic.

Oh brilliant. And what will this “youth facility” do for the money of? Provide a place where a lot of otherwise unemployable hippies will be paid to sit around drinking coffee with kids bunking off school, and doing “community arts” bollocks which will entertain nobody but themselves.

That’s my guess in any case. Yours?

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