Kiama’s overarching sports body has welcomed the installation of a large amenities block and new cricket pitch at the Bombo Hill Reserve on Riverside Drive, while expressing concerns about the limbo new projects are in while Council’s first Open Spaces and Recreation Strategy is developed.

Council is commencing an additional round of public consultation next week to inform the Strategy, which will cover all of the LGA’s sporting facilities, play facilities, parks and open spaces (see below for details).

Mayor Neil Reilly says, “Given the sheer number and variety of our parks and playgrounds, which hold different levels of importance for different people, we’ve ramped up our consultation.

“We’re seeking the thoughts of those in our community who use our parks and playgrounds, as well as the advice of those at Council who manage them.”

Given there is still a lot to be improved across the LGA, John Dawson, Secretary of the Kiama District Sports Association, welcomes the Strategy as a way of prioritising the projects in the future.

However he is concerned that in waiting for the Strategy to be completed, there currently aren’t any further ‘shovel ready’ sports ground projects in place to take advantage of any sporting grants that will become available this year.

“Even though there are plans in progress to improve the amenities at Gerry Emery Oval in Gerringong, there is a much more crucial need to improve the amenities at the Kiama Sports Complex [in Havilah Place],” John says, noting that the users of this Complex have been asked to wait patiently for Kiama Council to complete the Strategic Plan for outdoor recreation spaces and also a master plan for the Sports Complex precinct before anything can be done.

The new cricket pitch at Bombo Hill

“Once these are endorsed by Kiama Council and concept designs plans are completed, it is hoped that the overused and aging amenities at the Complex can be replaced by facilities that will justify its place as the premier venue for sport in Kiama.”

The work at Bombo Hill was done using a grant Kiama Council applied for quite some time ago. This grant will also pay for a smaller amenities block at Chapman Reserve and to refurbish amenity blocks at James Oates Reserve and Gainsborough Oval.

“Bombo has not been used to its full potential for many years, mainly due to the lack of amenities and the irregular cricket wicket configuration [three wickets were removed and a new one installed],” John says.

“It will now be better used by Kiama Oztag and Kiama Cricket for competition games, as well as Kiama Junior Football and Kiama Rugby Union for training.

“The amenities block at Chapman will be used by not only the lady softballers during the winter months but also the junior AFL players and supporters during winter, junior cricketers and supporters during summer and the many casual walkers who use the costal walking track from Surf Beach to Kendalls Beach."

Toilets will soon be built here

While commitment to new investment in other sporting fields and playgrounds awaits the production of Council’s Open Spaces and Recreation Strategy, which was due last December, the Council team continues to roll out work already in the pipeline from earlier grants.

Gainsborough Oval, which was flooded due to heavy rains, clogged drains and the fact that it is built on a retention basin, has now dried out and Kiama Council workers have started installing new drainage.

“With the support of the Kiama District Sports Association, Kiama Council applied to the State Government through its Sport Infrastructure Recovery Fund for a grant to pay for this work to clear the drains and to replace the cricket wicket,” John says.

The tired and inadequate clubhouse at Havilah Place

However, once the drainage is improved and amenities block refurbished at Gainsborough Oval, money will have to be found for lighting at the field so it can be utilised to its full potential, says John. This cannot be applied for until the Strategy is completed.

“It is presently used by Kiama Oztag, along with Bombo and Gainsborough Chase Reserve, for its ever-growing competition during the summer months.

“Once the lights are upgraded, night Oztag and Cricket games could be played, and it would prove a welcome addition to the limited number of fields with lights for winter training.”

Pop-up consultation sessions:

South Werri Reserve, Monday 6 February, 10-11am and 2.30-3.30pm

Coronation Park, Kiama, Tuesday 7 February, 10-11am and 2.30-3.30pm

James Oates Reserve, Minnamurra, Thursday 9 February, 10-11am and 2.30-3.30pm

Reid Park, Jamberoo, Friday 10 February, 10-11am and 2.30-3.30pm

Community feedback sessions (registration required):

The Pavilion Kiama, Wednesday 8 February, 10.30-11.30am and Thursday 9 February, 5.30-6.30pm.

Register via the Your Say page.

Online survey or written submission:

Online survey - Closes 19 February.

Links for email at the Your Say page.