This afternoon, the unmistakable red and white trucks of Fire and Rescue NSW could be seen parked beside Bellingen skate park, their crews hard at work on what has become an all-too-familiar clean-up operation. Following the recent flooding of the Bellinger River, the popular skate park has once again been left blanketed in a thick, slippery layer of mud and debris, rendering it unsafe for the local skating community. As the river slowly recedes, the work of clearing the park is underway — and it’s no small task.
The conditions at the park are tough and not for the faint of heart. The ground remains saturated, and the concrete surfaces of the bowls, ramps, and paths are coated in slick, wet mud that makes every step a gamble. Firefighters, armed with high-pressure hoses and brooms, are carefully making their way across the site, hosing down the ramps and sweeping away the muck to restore the area to a safe, usable state.
This marks the second time in as many months that the firies have had to perform this particular duty. Back in March, ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred swept through the region, causing the Bellinger River to burst its banks and flood surrounding areas, including the skate park. The aftermath was much the same then: a muddy, unrecognisable park in need of serious cleaning before the young skaters of Bellingen could return to their favourite hangout.
Despite the difficult conditions, there’s a sense of liveliness and resilience in the air. Just beyond the clean-up zone, a group of young boys, completely splattered in mud from head to toe, are making the most of the situation. Every time the fire hoses spray a burst of water their way, they squeal with excitement, chasing the mist and mud like it’s a summer water fight rather than a post-flood recovery effort. Their laughter cuts through the steady hum of the hoses and the splashing of water against concrete, adding a touch of lightness to an otherwise messy job.
The skate park holds a special place in the heart of the Bellingen community. More than just a place to skate, it serves as a social hub where young people gather, test their skills, and build friendships. Events and local competitions often take place there, and on sunny afternoons it’s not uncommon to find families watching from the grassy edges. That’s why clean-ups like this matter so much, even if nature seems determined to undo the work with alarming regularity.
Fire and Rescue NSW crews have become well-practised in this kind of operation. Using industrial-strength hoses, they systematically wash down every surface of the park, careful to avoid slips themselves as they move through the mud. In some areas, thick clumps of debris are swept away with shovels before the final rinse, ensuring no slippery patches are left behind for when the skaters return.
Local residents and visitors alike have stopped by throughout the afternoon to check on the clean-up progress, with many offering words of thanks to the firefighters for their efforts. “It’s just brilliant what they do,” said one local, watching from a safe distance. “This park means a lot to the kids here. They’ll be back on their boards as soon as it’s dry.”
While the clean-up work is a reminder of the region’s vulnerability to heavy rains and rising rivers, it’s also a testament to the resilience and spirit of the Bellingen community. The willingness of emergency services to step in and lend a hand, not just in crisis but in the aftermath, ensures that local spaces like the skate park can continue to be places of joy and connection.
By late afternoon, progress was visible, with much of the mud cleared away and the concrete surfaces starting to re-emerge beneath the grime. If the weather holds, it won’t be long before Bellingen’s skaters are back in the bowl, reclaiming their favourite spot with flips, tricks, and the sound of wheels on clean concrete.