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Wynyard Sports Precinct

Detailed Planning, Tendering and Approvals
Planning, tendering and approvals, including seeking approval from Department of Education (already have in principle support) and the Department of State Growth.
Year 1 Actions
Implementation of Year 1 Master Plan actions.
WySP Master Plan adopted by Council
Wynyard Sporting Precinct (WySP) Master Plan was developed and adopted by Council, which included a staged 10-year development plan.
Turf Wicket construction
Turf Wicket construction was completed at Wynyard Recreation Ground.
TIA report delivered at Council Meeting
The safety of facility users when moving through the new precinct (which is bisected by a road) was identified as a potential concern. A Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) was requested to examine the WySP Master Plan and this report was delivered to Council.
Oval 3 works commenced
Works commenced on Oval 3 at Wynyard High School
Austin St road closure community feedback
The TIA recommended closing Austin St, on the right side of Jenner St, as a possible solution for safety concerns. Council is seeking community feedback on this.
Oval 3 Update
Oval sown down and three month grow in period commenced.
New Light Towers
New light towers erected.
November 2021 - June 2022
July 2022 onward
May 2022
October 2022
24 July 2023
September 2023
September 2023
December 2023
January 2024

Wynyard Sporting Precinct Master Plan

Waratah-Wynyard Council adopted an Open Space, Sport and Recreation Plan (OSSR) in 2017. As part of this strategy, a new Wynyard Sporting Precinct (WySP) was proposed.

The Wynyard Sporting Precinct (WySP) Master Plan was then developed and adopted by Council in May 2022. To achieve some of the strategic outcomes set out in the Master Plan, the integration of the current Wynyard Sports Ground, the sports and community facilities on the west side of Austin Street, and Wynyard High School, would be required.

Wynyard Sporting Precinct

WySP will be co-located at the current Wynyard Recreation Ground, Wynyard High School and surrounding areas. Once complete, WySP will provide convenience, variety and safety to multiple clubs, users and the general public. It will facilitate the sharing of the Wynyard Recreation Ground with the Wynyard Football and Wynyard & Districts Cricket Clubs as well beautification and expansion to other existing clubs.

The Master Plan offers improved facilities and amenities for Squash, Basketball, Netball, Tennis, Community Garden and Band Rooms.

Austin Street

The Master Plan also proposed closing Austin St, on the southern side of Jenner St, as one option that could potentially address this concern. The Traffic Impact Assessment was delivered to Council at the 24 July 2023 meeting and noted that a road closure was the preferred option to achieve safety and connectivity. Council will consider a report later this year (2024) to determine the outcome of the proposal.

Changerooms

A key action of the master plan is to improve player amenities at the Wynyard Recreation Ground. Refurbishments have been completed to the female change room facilities.

Construction of Oval 3

Establishment of a third oval is a key feature of the WySP project, allowing space for football players to train and reduce the foot traffic on the Wynyard Recreation Ground. With the growth in female and junior participation in football, oval three provides a much-needed training space and allows for the surface of the Wynyard recreation ground to be spelled between football matches.

Oval three is located on the Wynyard High School Grounds and has been developed in partnership with the Wynyard High School and the Department of Communities, Families and Young People. The new oval enhances the facilities available for the school and broader community.

Work on the new oval commenced in September 2023. Since then, new light towers have been erected and the oval has been sown. A synthetic wicket has been installed to provide to replace the synthetic wicket removed from the Wynyard recreation ground. Public use of the oval is expected to commence in Early March 2024.

FAQ

The Plan will set a clear vision for future improvements and management of the area. It provides Council with a set of guidelines that addresses any safety concerns and community expectations around how the Sports Precinct is intended to be used and what infrastructure might support this. Future improvements to the area can then be planned based on the Master Plan.

 

Whilst the master plan provides a unified future vision for the area and demonstrates a commitment to fulfilling the projects listed in the document, it is not a commitment to funds or to undertake immediate works.

Currently the total cost of the WySP Master Plan is estimated to be around $7.2 million over the eight-year plan. Ongoing operational costs estimated at $288,822 may represent a General Rate increase of roughly 3.43% per rateable property per year. In line with Council’s Financial Management Strategy, operational improvements would need to be achieved to fund the additional cost.  This could be achieved by way of decreasing expenditure or increasing revenue streams.

 

However, this assumes Council will own all assets. Further discussions are required between Council, Wynyard and Districts Cricket Club, Wynyard Football Club and Department of Education to determine which assets are Council owned and managed and which are not. These negotiations could reduce the rate increase and ongoing maintenance costs to the community.

 

Funding sources to deliver the $7.2 million plan will likely involve a collaboration between Council, community clubs and organisations and the Department of Education. The majority of the works proposed are most likely reliant on successfully obtaining state or federal grant funding; without this it is unlikely the plan can be delivered in its full extent.

Council has worked closely with the relevant sports clubs and the Wynyard High School to ensure the project meets the key concerns of these groups. Council believes that with this greater level of consultation and engagement, the clubs, school and community needs have been addressed within the plan. The draft master plan also provides clarity around delivery timeframes and funding requirements which better highlights the impacts and opportunities for the community.

The draft master plan proposes the delivery of 27 actions over a current of approximately 8 years. Whilst programming of the works has been recommended within the master plan, this timing is indicative only and is subject to Council’s standard budget and financial management processes.

 

Oval three is the first priority as it will allow the football club another space to train and play games; taking the pressure off the Wynyard Recreation Ground (oval one) and provides an opportunity to establish the turf wicket without interruption to football.

To increase safety for pedestrians moving between facilities within the precinct, Council are proposing to close a small section of Austin Street.

Any road closure in Austin St would be subject to the outcome of this consultation process. If a closure is supported, Council will progress the necessary public processes under the Local Government Highways Act 1982. Should this process be completed in the 23/24 financial year, funding to implement the works would then be considered in the 24/25 budget deliberations.

Documents