OVERVIEW

This strategy and master plan outlines how the MidCoast Regional Sporting Precinct will be used and managed into the future. It will be used to attract funding for upgrades to the area to develop the facility into a regionally significant sporting precinct.

The plan was developed by Xypher Sport & Leisure in consultation with major user groups and organisations, and supported through the NSW Government’s Business Case and Strategy Development Fund.

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BACKGROUND

The MidCoast Regional Sporting Precinct Development Strategy and Master Plan draws on reviews of existing site conditions, constraints and opportunities.

Council acknowledge the significance of this sports area as a opportunity for the region, enhancing the active lifestyle of the community, and providing facilities that can be used by local sporting and community user groups in addition to presenting event attraction opportunities.

It encompasses the Taree Recreation Grounds, the old Visitor Information Centre, Manning Aquatic Leisure Centre, sports fields, courts and stadium through and Jack Neal Oval. Swimming, basketball, futsal, netball, cycling, hockey, touch football, rugby league, athletics, cricket and football are all played here.

External stakeholders consulted in the development to the plan include:

• Taree Recreation Grounds Management Committee
• Taree Little Athletics Club
• Taree United Cricket Club
• Taree Twilight Cricket Association
• Manning Valley Hockey Association
• Manning Valley Netball Association
• Taree Touch Association
• Taree Red Rovers Junior Rugby League Club
• Taree Panthers Junior Rugby League Club
• Taree Basketball Association
• Manning Valley Cycling Club
• State Sporting Organisations (Netball, Basketball, Hockey, Touch Football, Rugby League, Football, Athletics and Rowing).

Exhibition period

The draft strategy and master plan were on public exhibition from 15 December 2023 to 3 March 2024 to allow for broad community consultation. We received 17 formal submissions.

The feedback received from the community was considered and some changes were made to the draft plan.

The plan was then adopted by the elected Council at the 22 May 2024 Ordinary Meeting.

Community Feedback

Feedback from the submissions included the request to switch the location of a number of facilities and the car park, concerns with the internal road safety and impact on field boundaries. There were also several requests for the provision of infrastructre for specific sporting types and dedicated ameneties and storage buildings.

Other feedback included the request for more commercial hospitality options and inclusions of BBQs, and issues with mobile phone service.

Changes in response to submissions

Based on the feedback received the following changes and have been made to the plan:

• adjustment to the location of the touch fields, athletics track, amenities and car park
• inclusion of a handball court and wall for passive use
• an alternative option for a standalone netball amenities building with storage for other sporting groups
• termination of the internal road at the end of the athletics/touch football car park
• hospitality options and inclusions of BBQs throughout the site should future demand warrant the provision

Although mobile phone service is out of scope for this project, issues with mobile phone service at the precinct has been referred to Council’s Economic Development team should the opportunity arise to advocate for improved coverage.

Other Council Strategies address the needs of particular community feedback;

• the adopted MidCoast Outdoor Sports Court Strategy covers additional courts, including multipurpose courts for sports such as pickleball.
• pump tracks have been considered in the adopted MidCoast Skatepark Strategy; however, this site was not identified for a future pump track. Action 103(b) within the MidCoast Open Space and Recreation Strategy addresses the investigation of replacing the Dawson River boardwalk and extending the trail network.

You can read the full report in the documents section.