$2.3m boost for five of the Port's popular sport and recreation spots

Port Stephens Council successfully secured $1,693,080 under the Regional Sport Facility Fund, close to $1m of which will be used to replace the amenities at Yulong Oval in Medowie and the rest to revitalise Brandon Park at Seaham.

The council also secured $640,000 through the NSW Government's Stronger Country Communities Fund, which will be spent on a improvements to Salamander Sports Complex, Lakeside Leisure Centre and Fingal Beach.

"This is a significant investment in Port Stephens and a major win for our community," Mayor Ryan Palmer said.

"Three projects have been fully funded under the Stronger Country Communities Fund, including $230,000 to improve accessibility and remediate the playing surface at Salamander Bay Sports Complex.

"$160,000 has been secured to build a new playground and shade sail at Lakeside Leisure Centre at Raymond Terrace, while a further $250,000 will go towards replacing the 50-year-old toilet block at Fingal Bay beach with a more accessible public amenities building."

Two projects have been partially funded under the Regional Sport Facility Fund, with Port Stephens Council contributing $338,000 to see the costs covered.

These projects include $999,980 to build a "contemporary and inclusive multipurpose facility" at Yulong Oval and $698,100 to transform Brandon Park into an "active hub" with a multi-sport court, upgraded lighting, seating and accessible amenities.

"Having infrastructure that supports an active and healthy lifestyle is an important part of ensuring the mental and physical wellbeing of residents, so I'd like to thank the NSW Government for helping us to deliver these key projects for our community," Mayor Palmer said.

"Without this funding, it wouldn't have been possible to provide these projects for many years to come."

It follows further state funding in the past two years including $260,000 to revitalise the Elizabeth Waring building at Tomaree Sports Complex in Nelson Bay and $840,000 to upgrade the sporting facilities at King Park in Raymond Terrace.

Additionally in that time, state, federal and council funding has seen two new, state-of-the-art clubhouses built at Tomaree Sports Complex, a project that cost $3.2m, and Boyd Oval in Medowie, worth $1.4m.

The council's community assets coordinator, Clinton Bridge, said the $2.3m investment will deliver "better facilities that benefit the whole community".

"Being able to get outside and enjoy our beautiful surroundings is just one of the many reasons for why people love living in Port Stephens, so these projects will not only improve the overall amenity, but liveability and visitor experience of our region," he said.

"Now that funding has been secured we're excited to get to work on the planning, design and construction of these projects over the next 12 months."

Successful Stronger Country Communities Fund Round 4 projects

Salamander Sports Complex Upgrade | $230,000

This project will construct partitioned change facilities combined with an aesthetic building renovation to address the complex's current barriers to participation; improving accessibility and encouraging engagement in sport by girls and women. This project will remediate the uneven playing surface, enabling the sporting community to attract and retain players and events.

Lakeside Leisure Centre Playground and Shade Sail | $160,000

This project will construct a new playground and shade sail at the public Lakeside Leisure Centre, Raymond Terrace. The objective of this project is to increase participation in sport in Raymond Terrace by developing the aquatic centre into an active hub.

Fingal Bay Accessible Amenities | $250,000

The project will transform the experience of beach and foreshore users through the construction of a new amenities building including a fully accessible toilet. This is project essential to develop the popular foreshore into an inclusive venue that improves liveability and the visitor experience.

Successful Regional Sport Facility Fund 2021-22 projects

Yulong Oval Amenities Upgrade | $999,980

This project will involve the replacement of existing amenities with a new contemporary, inclusive and multipurpose facility.

Revitalising Brandon Park, Seaham | $693,100

Brandon Park will be revitalised into an inclusive, accessible and high quality multipurpose facility that provides opportunities for both the local and broader regional community. The project involves refurbishing the existing sports amenities and upgrading the floodlighting to meet contemporary facility standards and increase participation. In addition, the existing single tennis court will be transformed into a multi-sport court for recreational use and existing netball courts will be resurfaced. In support of these upgrades, infrastructure such as seating, shelter and signage will be provided to enable an inclusive space for everyone to enjoy.

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