Blind Bight hits BMX pay dirt

By Sarah Schwager
BLIND Bight residents are overjoyed that years of lobbying for a BMX dirt track in their community could be put to rest.
Casey Council recently listed Anchorage Drive Park, Blind Bight, as the site for a new track, one of 13 in Casey.
The council is now relying on feedback from the community to make sure that track, including jumps, will be used.
On 21 December, the News reported that residents were fed up with the lack of facilities for the town’s youths.
They wanted a BMX track built to stop kids making their own jumps through the precious native scrubland.
Blind Bight resident Shirley Wharton, who has been advocating for a track for local children, welcomed the news.
Mrs Wharton has been working with council officers to help distribute information about the new track.
“We definitely need it. The kids need something to do. People are always complaining about them getting into trouble but they’re bored out of their minds,” she said.
Mrs Wharton encouraged people to put submissions to council asking that the track be built.
“Council is willing to push it but the kids have got to want it,” she said.
“We want to work with the kids so the kids can say what they want.”
The track is expected to be built behind the four-year-old playground and basketball half court on Anchorage Drive.
Blind Bight’s Graham Elso said he supported the facility as long as it was built to a standard that the kids were going to use.
“We need something fun and challenging for them otherwise they are just going to build their own,” he said.
Mrs Wharton said it was a shame council had demolished the jumps that local children had built down at the foreshore.
“It seems unfair. The kids put a lot of work into them.”
People are encouraged to submit feedback on the proposed BMX dirt track.
Submissions should be in writing by 16 April to Richard Amon, Manager City Living, PO Box 1000, Narre Warren, 3805, or email to caseycc@casey.vic.gov.au.