Funds have been secured for irrigation works at:
- Berkeley Park, Berkeley - $250,000
- Darcy Wentworth Park, Warrawong - $250,000
- McKinnon Park, Coniston - $110,000
These sporting fields are host to junior and senior football and rugby league teams.
At Darcy Wentworth Park, Warrawong, and Berkeley Park, Berkeley, the works will include the staged installation of automated irrigation systems including remote access controls, automated subsurface irrigation, underground water storage tanks, pumps and pump control infrastructure.
At McKinnon Park in Coniston, the funding will deliver key irrigation infrastructure, including two 35,000-litre water tanks, suction and balance pipework, a pump and backflow system, and associated power and control components.
These investments will improve water management and turf quality across the three sporting fields, creating more reliable and resilient playing surfaces.
This will help to increase field availability, reduce weather-related ground closures and reduce future maintenance requirements allowing more sporting teams and community groups to use the fields more often.
This investment is in addition to funding previously secured for drainage and irrigation works at JJ Kelly Park.
Funds will be provided to Wollongong City Council who will work with teams using these grounds to undertake the works and minimise any impact on ground availability.
Member for Wollongong, Paul Scully said:
"These irrigation upgrades are a practical investment in the future of sport and recreation facilities across Wollongong.
"Modern, reliable irrigation systems will help keep our sporting fields healthy, resilient and playable throughout the year.
"As our population grows and more people are playing formal and informal sport it is important that we invest in our playing fields so that they not only have better playing surfaces, but they are less susceptible to weather-related ground closures.
"Local sporting clubs are the heartbeat of our community. This funding will help players, volunteers and families have access to high-quality facilities that support participation, competition and community connection for years to come."
Lord Mayor of Wollongong, Councillor Tania Brown said:
"This investment will help future-proof three important sporting fields and ensure they continue to meet the needs of local clubs, players and the wider community.
"Reliable irrigation infrastructure is critical to maintaining quality playing surfaces and maximising the use of these facilities throughout the year.
"This announcement highlights the value of cooperation between all levels of government. When we work together, we can deliver meaningful investment into community infrastructure that supports participation in sport, strengthens local communities and improves the quality of life for people across Wollongong."
