A 46-year-old skatepark in Geelong, known as the Corio Bowls, is being considered for heritage protection to preserve its cultural and historical significance. The City of Greater Geelong has voted to apply a heritage overlay to the site, which would provide planning protections against future development and recognise its role in Australia’s skateboarding history.
Built in 1980 following a campaign by local young people and their families, the skate bowls are regarded as one of the earliest purpose-built skateparks in Australia. The facility includes multiple concrete bowls of varying difficulty and has attracted national and international attention over the decades, including visits from professional skateboarders.
Despite its age and visible wear, including rough exposed aggregate surfaces that increase the risk of abrasions during falls, the park continues to be actively used by the community. Some skaters value the challenging surface and its natural ageing, while others have considered upgrades or additional modern facilities nearby.
The proposal is supported by skateboarding organisations, which highlight the importance of preserving early skate infrastructure as part of the sport’s development in Australia. The heritage process will involve state government approval and public consultation before any final decision is made.
