STRATEGIC DIRECTION
VISION
To develop sustainable, inclusive and high-quality football facilities that elevate the experience of the game for every player, coach, official and community member in the Lake Macquarie region.
OBJECTIVES
Enable targeted investment in areas of most need.
PURPOSE
To prioritise and deliver strategic infrastructure investments that respond to population growth, address participation demand and ensure equitable access to quality football facilities across the Lake Macquarie region.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
n Target investment in facilities where the need is greatest and the return on participation is strongest.
n Optimise and expand capacity at existing venues through lighting, drainage and surface improvements.
n Build inclusive environments, particularly through the delivery of gender-neutral change rooms and accessible amenities.
n Support new venues to meet the projected growth of the game and wider community needs.
n Foster partnerships with local government, community organisations and funding bodies to maximise outcomes.
VENUES
TOTAL REGISTERED FOOTBALLERS
BREAKDOWN 557 NUMBER OF TEAMS 33
8,995
POPULATION CONTEXT
The Lake Macquarie region is experiencing sustained growth across its LGA, with strong implications for future demand in sport and recreation infrastructure.
PLAYING FIELD SUMMARY
NUMBER OF VENUES
NUMBER OF FIELDS NPL VENUES
SYNTHETIC FIELDS
IRRIGATION & DRAINAGE FIELD LIGHTING
CHANGE ROOM SUMMARY
STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT
THIS STRATEGY SUPPORTS:
NSW GOVERNMENT ACTIVE RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE GUIDELINES
STATE AND FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE
GRANT OBJECTIVES
2024-26 STRATEGIC PLAN DEVELOPMENT
NORTHERN NSW FOOTBALL STRATEGIC PLAN (2024–2026)
LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY AND RECREATION STRATEGIES
INFRASTRUCTURE PRIORITIES
PLANNING FOR GROWTH
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With the population expected to grow by more than 27,000 residents across the region by 2041, the demand for sporting infrastructure, particularly for football, will increase significantly. Facility planning must align with urban growth corridors and future land-use priorities.
ENHANCING CAPACITY
n Many fields lack sufficient lighting and drainage, limiting use during wet weather and after dark.
n Irrigation coverage is inconsistent, increasing maintenance costs and limiting surface quality.
n Targeted lighting and surface upgrades can increase capacity by up to 20 per cent across the network.
SUPPORTING INCLUSION
n Only 50 per cent of venues have gender-neutral or female-friendly change rooms.
n Facilities to support referees, volunteers and spectators, particularly women and young people, are essential to participation growth.
n Accessibility upgrades are critical to ensure facilities are inclusive for people with disability.
ESTABLISHING HOMES OF FOOTBALL
n Long-term planning should identify opportunities to develop synthetic surfaces and regional hubs that can support year-round use, elite development and tournament hosting.
2025-30 FLAGSHIP PROJECTS
VENUE / PROJECT ESTIMATED COST
DESCRIPTION
GREGORY PARK $1M LIGHTING UPGRADE AND DRAINAGE
TAYLOR PARK $600K LIGHTING UPGRADE FIELD ONE
ULINGA OVAL
$2M UPGRADED AMENITIES AND LIGHTING
FISHBURN FIELD $2.7M UPGRADED AMENITIES
TREDINNICK OVAL, SPEERS POINT $600K NEW LIGHTING FOR FIELD 3 AND AMENITIES BUILDING
HILLSBOROUGH OVAL $1.6M UPGRADED AMENITIES AND LIGHTING
PRIORITY PROJECTS
GREGORY PARK, WEST WALLSEND
FACILITIES Multi-sport (cricket and football)
PROJECT
TAYLOR PARK, BARNSLEY
FACILITIES Multi-sport (cricket and football)
Lighting upgrade to LED and drainage across both fields
COST $1,000,000
RATIONALE
OUTPUTS
Drainage is non-existent and very much needed given location. LED lighting required for night matches and training
Improved player experience. Will enable increase in night matches and increased training capacity. Will support female growth which currently sits at 42 per cent of participation
PROJECT
Drainage of main field and gender neutral changerooms as an addition to current amenity building incorporating disability access
COST $600,000
RATIONALE
OUTPUTS
Player experience greatly affected by continued washouts. Inadequate facilities for female participants
Supports long standing club, allows a surface that is playable and reduces large churn rate in female participants due to inadequate facilities
ULINGA OVAL, SOUTH CARDIFF
FACILITIES Multi-sport (cricket and football)
PROJECT
COST
RATIONALE
OUTPUTS
Upgraded gender-neutral changerooms and lighting upgrade (Field 3 and Field 4)
$2,000,000
Club covers Community and High-Performance football. 200 per cent participant growth in five years (37 per cent female)
Enables increased night fixtures, training and supports continued growth across the club particularly in female football
PRIORITY PROJECTS
FISHBURN FIELD, RATHMINES
FACILITIES Multi-sport (cricket and football)
PROJECT
Amenities and changeroom refurbishment (gender neutral).
COST $2,700,000
RATIONALE
OUTPUTS
Needed to support ongoing growth, female participants and officials.
Enables inclusive environment for continued growth at progressive club
PRIORITY PROJECTS
TREDINNICK OVAL, SPEERS POINT
FACILITIES Multi-sport (football, cricket & Oztag)
PROJECT
Lighting upgrade on third field and amenities upgrade
COST $600,000
RATIONALE
OUTPUTS
Increases training and night match capacity and caters for high female player base (57 per cent).
The oval is also used by other users who would also benefit from the additional lighting and provide an opportunity to play more football more often. Amenities support female player numbers and allow for continued growth
HILLSBOROUGH OVAL, HILLSBOROUGH
FACILITIES Multi-sport (football)
PROJECT
Construct new amenities building and undertake lighting upgrade
COST $1,600,000
RATIONALE
OUTPUTS
Current amenities very poor. Large club who need additional venues for matches and training to cater for participation growth, especially for females
A large club that continues to grow. Works at this facility will facilitate a home for the club’s entry level, girls and women’s teams and female program
SUMMARY AND NEXT STEPS
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Football is the leading sport in the Lake Macquarie region.
Infrastructure upgrades critical to growth.
Drainage of fields is of critical importance.
Inclusive facilities key to female participation. Align with council strategies. Continue evidence-based planning and advocacy.
