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 North Coast 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 North Coast 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.
FEMALE BREAKDOWN
TOTAL REGISTERED FOOTBALLERS
5,970 66% 3,937
557 NUMBER OF TEAMS +785 NEW PLAYERS BY 2030 PROJECTED GROWTH 24 TOTAL VENUES
POPULATION CONTEXT
The North Coast 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
CHANGE ROOM SUMMARY
– BARRIER IN FEMALE GROWTH FOR PLAYERS AND MATCH OFFICIALS.
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 23,000 residents across the North Coast member zone 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 Fewer than 40 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.
2025–2030 FLAGSHIP PROJECTS
VENUE / PROJECT
ESTIMATED COST
MOONEE SPORTS COMPLEX
POLWARTH
DRIVE OVALS
$6M NEW SPORTS FACILITY
DESCRIPTION
MCLEAN STREET OVAL
$300K UPGRADE FIELD SURFACES AND DRAINAGE
$220K DRAINAGE ON ALL FIELDS
CONNELL PARK
$400K DRAINAGE ON ALL FIELDS AND LIGHTING UPGRADE
CORINDI SOCCER FIELDS
$400K NEW AMENITIES BUILDING
WOOLI SPORTS OVAL $500K UPGRADE AMENITIES BUILDING
PRIORITY PROJECTS
MOONEE SPORTS COMPLEX, MOONEE
FACILITIES Football and other sports
PROJECT
Development of a new sports facility at Moonee for football and other sports
COST $6,000,000
RATIONALE
OUTPUTS
The northern beaches is the fastest growing area of Coffs Coast with no sporting facility to service this community
Northern Storm FC will relocate to this facility to cater for their growth and offer participation opportunities closer to home for this expanding community
POLWARTH DRIVE OVALS, COFFS HARBOUR
FACILITIES Multi-sport (football and cricket)
PROJECT
Upgrade surface on both fields including sub-surface drainage
COST $300,000
RATIONALE
OUTPUTS
The club’s grounds have been closed for much of the playing season for games and training due to lack of drainage. The fields are waterlogged, with no way of draining away the water. The fields are unplayable and unsafe in some areas, impacting upon usable areas.
Closure of the grounds has also seen a significant loss of income for the club’s canteen, increased expenditure hiring indoor facilities for training and increased expenditure hiring the new synthetic fields
PRIORITY PROJECTS
MCLEAN STREET OVAL, COFFS HARBOUR
FACILITIES Multi-sport (cricket and football)
PROJECT Installation of drainage on all fields
COST
RATIONALE
OUTPUTS
$200,000
The fields are the worst in the region for wet weather. Training and matches are continually washed out due to wet weather
This upgrade would allow more opportunities for football and active exercise for all the community
CONNELL PARK, BELLINGEN
FACILITIES Multi-sport (cricket and football)
PROJECT
COST
RATIONALE
OUTPUTS
Installation of drainage across all fields and upgrade lighting at the facility
$400,000
Fields are often closed due to poor drainage following wet weather. Inadequate lighting restricts training and scheduling of fixtures
Increases participant satisfaction through more matches and training. Enables club to host more matches more often including night fixtures
PRIORITY PROJECTS
CORINDI SOCCER FIELDS, CORINDI
FACILITIES Multi-sport (cricket and football)
PROJECT New amenities building
COST $600,000
RATIONALE
OUTPUTS
Install player and referee changerooms, toilets and canteen. Nowhere for players or officials to change
This will provide a more welcoming environment and increase participation growth at the club
WOOLI SPORTS OVAL, WOOLI
FACILITIES Multi-sport (football)
PROJECT
Upgrade of existing amenities building
COST $500,000
RATIONALE
OUTPUTS
One changeroom is used for storage meaning men have to change in women’s toilet. Women also have to change in the toilet. This situation is unsatisfactory and abhorrent
Club has growth in young girls and female participants and need to provide an inclusive environment to retain them and grow further
SUMMARY AND NEXT STEPS
1 2 3 4 5 6
Football is the leading sport in the North Coast region. Infrastructure upgrades are critical to growth.
Drainage of f ields is of critical importance.
Inclusive facilities are key to female participation.
Align with council strategies. Continue evidence-based planning and advocacy.
