Port Macquarie-Hastings Council mayor Peter Besseling said it is the responsibility of the community to protect the culture of the land. 

“These public spaces are really, really important for us to not only connect socially but to give our kids the opportunity to be active, to be crazy and running around in a safe environment,” he said.

Mr Besseling said the paths at the park also provided an opportunity to teach the senior members of the community about mobility vehicles.  

The transformation follows a successful $50,000 grant application by the council awarded under the NSW Department of Family & Community Services - Social Housing Community Improvement Fund.

Located next to the TAFE in Widderson Street, Oxide Park has become a hub of activity through the creation of an intergenerational colourful play space which includes a path circuit, children’s equipment, basketball half court, new bench seating and picnic tables.

The park before the revamp, Mr Besseling said was not one that was well utilised but by adding an injection of colour and a number of features, the popularity of the park has grown as the development occurred. 

He said that there are plans for more parks in the Port Macquarie-Hastings region to be revamped in a similar way so that residents and families who visit the area have even more of an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. 

Council worked closely with Lendlease, residents, the Neighbourhood Centre, Birpai Aboriginal Land Council and Hastings Preschool and Long Day Care Centre to design and create a park to be the pride of the community.

Uncle Bill O’Brien said the area which was previously just red dirt is now a beautiful space which the whole community can enjoy. 

He thanked everyone who had worked together to ensure that the development took place. 

Hastings Preschool & Long Day Care Centre director Meryl Trotter said the park project had been very important for the centre as it’s their link to the community. 

“We believe children even though they are small are really important citizens on the earth and they have the right to have a voice within the community,” she said. 

“They have a right to their identity and their culture.”

Ms Trotter said the project provided an opportunity for the children’s voice to be heard, so that they could have a say in how they would like their world to be.

“The world is very important and we need the next generation to look after it,” she said. 

“This is our way of knowing that these little citizens will grow up with resilience, confidence and a desire to keep their world.”