Sporting complex draft plans to go on public exhibition

The initiative to prepare masterplans for the Kemp Street Sports Complex and Service Clubs Park was developed through previous planning work and was formally supported when council adopted the Macleay Valley Sports Strategy in March 2017. The action to prepare the masterplans was then identified to commence in the 2019-20 Operating Plan.

The Sports Strategy identified specific improvements required at both sites and subsequently council has determined that masterplans are necessary to properly plan any upgrades and long term development of the sites.

There has been no formal funding allocated to the project at this stage, but finalising the plans with community input places council in a better position to seek funding.

"Recent experiences like the Eden Street Sporting Complex show that it's prudent for council to have plans for facilities across the shire before funding is allocated," Director Operations Robert Fish said.

Two workshops were held with key users and stakeholders to draft the plans. Workshop 1 was held in October 2019 and workshop 2 was held in March 2020. Feedback from workshop 1 helped inform the initial drafting of the masterplan, whilst workshop 2 reviewed the draft and facilitated input into suggested amendments and additions.

Kemspey Shire Mayor Liz Campbell said updating sport facilities was a goal for this term of council.

"Sport facilities is something we had as one of our important projects during our term of council. With upgrades to Verge Street and at South West Rocks, we have made great progress," Cr Campbell said.

"Four years ago we didn't have any plans, but now we are making the Macleay Valley a regional centre for sport."

Mayor Campbell also said community feedback will help council make a decision to implement the upgrades.

"Having the report on public exhibition allows the community to give feedback and puts us in a well advanced position with the project when funding becomes available."

Council is planning to have the draft plans on the Your Say Macleay website on Friday, June 26.