Part 1: Sunshine coast skateboarders on a roll

Maroochy Shire is skating along on the back of an innovative strategy giving its young people new opportunities to get physically active.

Not only did Maroochy Shire Council ask skateboarders for their thoughts on the design and location of future skate parks in the area, it even armed them with disposable cameras to highlight the good and bad points of existing facilities.

"The aim was to involve users as much as possible," Maroochy Mayor Joe Natoli said.

"And by undertaking site visits with them and sending them out with the cameras we were able to see first hand how we could improve on our existing facilities."

The result of the extensive community consultation process is the Maroochy Skate Strategy - a document that will guide the development of skate parks in the shire until 2012 and beyond.

The project, one of the first of its kind, was made possible thanks to $20,000 in funding under the Queensland Government's Local Government Recreation Planning Program (now known as the Local Sport and Recreation Program).

The program demonstrates the Government's commitment to supporting local councils in providing sport and recreation opportunities for everyday Queenslanders.

A range of projects are eligible to receive funding through the Local Government Development Program, including recreation planning, education and training initiatives, and local-level facilities like walking paths and cycleways.

"Prior to our skate study there was a general lack of understanding about the best location for skate parks and the types of support facilities that are needed with them," Councillor Natoli said.

"We now know that water and shade are important issues with users and are taking this into account with the design of new facilities.

"Access was also found to be an issue, and we have already extended bikeways to a number of existing parks to ensure the kids can get to them safely."

Residents, schools and businesses all had a say on the content and development of the strategy, which recommended upgrades to many of the shire's existing nine skate parks and the construction of 10 new ones.

A number of these new facilities had been completed or were under construction in early 2004. Since the strategy was completed, more than $57,000 has been provided towards new skate parks in Coolum and Kuluin, and more than $55,000 to construct shade structures over seven existing skate parks.

"The kids are having a great time with the new facilities and usage has certainly increased at the existing parks that we have upgraded," Councillor Natoli said.

"Just as importantly, the kids themselves are part of the planning for the new facilities through the working steering committees that are established before they are built."

The Maroochy Skate Strategy has received widespread recognition for its innovative approach to recreation planning.

View further information about the Maroochy Skate Strategy.