Capel looks to younger population

A major step towards a $1.7 million project for Dalyellup is a win for the young population, according to a Capel shire councillor.

The project – centred around a skatepark – took a step closer to reality last week when Capel Shire Council supported applying for a $200,000 grant.

The decision followed a passionate speech from Cr Sebastian Schiano who described the project as a long journey and a win for Dalyellup’s young demographic.

“It’s been in the long-term financial plan for over a decade and so it’s been a very long journey to get to where we are,” Cr Schiano said.

“And this is where it’s always been planned to be, it’s always been planned to be delivered in this time frame.

“There’s 33 per cent of the shire’s population that are aged between five and 25 and so a significant number of those are people who are under 18.

“They’re people who don’t get to have a say in local government quite often – they don’t get to vote, they don’t get to participate in our democratic process.

“So they look up to us as local government leaders and as community leaders to be able to deliver the sort of projects that are going to build their future.

“They’re the people who are going to use the facility, they’re the people who are going to grow up in our community and they’re the people who are probably going to invest in our community in the future as well.”

The council will now apply for the $200,000 Community Sport and Recreational Facilities grant, while it also supported a $663,800 commitment in its long-term financial plan.

It follows more than a year of community consultation involving hundreds of residents.

The 1125sq m proposed skatepark will include a “plaza style” skate area, skate bowl, barbecue area, carpark and shade.

The council has also applied for a $660,500 Lotterywest grant and is expected to receive $150,000 worth of in-kind support.

Cr Schiano said the project would activate space and attract visitors.