In another sweetener following the announcement of the Coalition’s $71 million road package for the Paterson electorate, Liberal Paterson incumbent Bob Baldwin pledged $50,000 to a skate park for Paterson’s Tucker Park and $60,000 for a facility at Wallalong.

But the funding hinges on the outcome of the August 21 election.

Dungog Shire Council has committed $25,000 to the Paterson project, with a further $10,000 raised by the Paterson Progress Association to fulfil a demand from the community.

“We are committed to supporting these projects,” Mr Baldwin said.

“Skateparks provide a safe and social environment for kids to engage in sport, stay active and enjoy themselves.

“It also adds to tourism as well; a lot of parents look for places with facilities like these that they can bring their kids to.”

Paterson Progress Association secretary Zoltan Lyall said the community had been working on the project since 2002.

But although plans were complete and the community had decided on a location, funding had stalled its progress.

“We’ve hoping if [the Coalition] do get elected, they’ll keep the promise, and if they aren’t elected, that the money will come from somewhere else,” Mr Lyall said.

“The facility is needed, and it’s something we won’t give up on.”

The mayor of Dungog, Cr Glenn Wall, praised the Paterson community for their concerted efforts and acknowledged the late Emeritus Mayor Allan Fairhall.

“This project has been on the drawing board for over eight years now and I have no doubt that Allan would be very pleased with this announcement today.

“Allan was dogged in his representation to see this skateboard park come to fruition and this commitment by Bob brings Allan’s vision of providing facilities for our youth that much closer”.