The skate park that was to see construction begin at the vacant block on Harlequin Street, adjacent the Lightning Ridge Caravan Park, has hit a wall with its development after the Department of Lands reported that they would not consent to the chosen site for the project.

Native title restrictions have forced the move, pushing the Department of Lands to request the Walgett Shire Council to use its initial location next to the Ella Nagy Youth Centre. The only problem is that particular ground was declared and put aside by council for the purpose of building a community hall.

The site behind the Shell service station was chosen because it was to be erected next to the new public toilet block, which was the most logical choice.

Councillors are concerned that if the skate park has to be moved, whether or not a another toilet block would need to be built.

This request by the Department of Lands was received by council in the closing minutes of the shire’s June meeting asking for an immediate response.

Council determined it needed to go into consultation to seek a new location and carried a motion to set up a delegation involving the mayor to come up with an alternative.