By Belinda Nolan
SUNSHINE residents believe the former Sunvale school site could be the key to reducing Brimbank’s escalating youth crime.
Residents have been lobbying the State Government to turn the vacant land over to community use, since the school closed down last year.
Previous suggestions for the site have included plans for a botanical garden, a farmers market and community centre.
But many residents now believe the site could be used to attract local youth, deterring them from a life of crime.
Residents are lobbying for a new skate park to be built in the derelict grounds of Sunvale, to give teenagers a meaningful hobby.
“I think it would be one of the best uses for the site,” said Sunshine Residents and Ratepayers Association president Darlene Reilly.
“In other municipalities they’ve got some beautiful big skate parks and you see kids playing in them every day and having a great time.
“One of the major reasons young people get into crime is because there is nothing else for them to do.
“If we use Sunvale in this way, it would be of far greater benefit to the community than social housing would.”
Sunshine resident Sean Spencer said Sunvale was an ideal location for a new skate park.
“A skate park in central Sunshine would be outstanding,” Mr Spencer said.
“We really need something like this in the area to give kids something to do.
“I see kids hanging out the front of the Sunshine Market Place to socialise and it breaks my heart because we’ve got Sunvale and it’s just sitting empty.
“You could fit a massive skate park in there and still have room for a park.”
Although Brimbank Council has previously lobbied for social housing to be built on the former school site, residents remain adamant that Sunvale should given to the community.
The State Government has yet to make a decision on the future use of the site.
