In brief:

• The Brick Banks at Erindale Skatepark are now on the ACT Heritage Register.
• The curved structures have been a favourite skateboarding spot since the 1970s.
• Canberra Skateboarding Association nominated the Brick Banks for heritage listing.

The iconic Brick Banks at Erindale Skatepark are now protected on the ACT Heritage Register.

This secures the iconic curved brick structures’ place in local history.

While the skatepark itself wasn’t built until the 1990s, skating the Brick Banks has been a rite of passage since the 1970s.

Their official protection follows community consultation in mid-2025.

Why the Brick Banks matter

The Brick Banks weren’t purpose-built for skateboarding. They started life as humble retaining walls.

The Banks were initially part of the original Erindale College and library precinct. They were built by technical college students mastering curved brickwork.

Local skaters saw potential, and the rest is history.

The Banks quickly became a proving ground for skaters honing their moves. Affectionately known as ‘The Snakepit’, their steep angles and technical demands gained them international fame.

Pro skaters like Tony Hawk and Dan Drehobl have skated them over the years.

By the early ’90s, they were so popular that planners designed a skatepark around them. This was early win for community-driven urban design.

From retaining walls to cultural icons

“The most beloved skate spots around the world weren’t actually designed for skateboarding. I think the Erindale Brick Banks are a perfect example of that,” Brenden ‘Woody’ Wood from the Canberra Skateboarding Association (CSA) said.

He remembers what it was like to skate there for the first time.

“I was only 10 and just getting into skateboarding, so it was definitely a challenge, but rolling over those textured bricks was such a thrill!”

Brenden and the CSA nominated the Brick Banks for heritage listing. They want them to be protected for generations to come.

“I grew up skating at Erindale and have had the chance to meet and skate with some incredible skaters who would just show up out of the blue. Even today, it's not uncommon for a tour van full of pros to randomly roll in and session the Banks,” he said.

What heritage recognition means

The listing covers the Brick Banks themselves, not the entire skatepark. It safeguards their height, angle and design.

Maintenance and upgrades are still allowed, ensuring the spot remains skateable while preserving its unique character.

Decades of creativity

Shaped by generations of skaters, the Brick Banks are more than just bricks and mortar. They are a symbol of skate culture in the ACT.

The ACT Heritage Council’s decision to list the structures ensures Canberrans can continue to ride them for decades to come.

For more information visit the ACT Heritage Register.

^{Pro skater Tony Hawk skated the Brick Banks in the 1980s.}

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