Gerringong builder John Trevenar is frustrated with Kiama Council as he lobbies for a solution to the outdated facilities at the Gerry Emery Reserve sporting grounds on Bridges Road.

“There are 563 registered female players in 2021 and on any weekend there are around half this number on the field, yet there are only four female toilets, no showers and women have to get changed in their cars as there are no changing rooms,” says John.

“We don’t need funds.

“We just need support from Council to give this project the priority it deserves.”

After seeking approval from Gerringong Touch Football Club, the Gerringong Jets Cricket Club and the Gerringong Breakers Soccer Club, John drew up DA plans for an updated clubhouse facility at his own expense.

He obtained a grant and is confident that he can find funds to cover the construction costs.

The hold up is the Club needs a lease on the grounds to have the DA assessed.

“The DA should have been lodged in Council last month, before it entered caretaker mode. I can lodge the DA now, but Council won’t release it until a lease is signed which could be months away. Council says they don’t have the manpower to do anything about it now.

“So I’m giving Council an ultimatum. If the DA hasn’t been lodged by Australia Day the whole lot will go into the shredder.”

Despite emailing Council months ago, John has not received a response.

The November Council report from the Director of Engineering on female change room facilities noted that plans for any major upgrades would follow the development of the first Open Space and Recreation Strategy, due in 2022.

“I’m ready to go with Gerringong now, to get more facilities at the grounds for girls and women,” says John, not wanting to wait.

The present club house was built as a community project around 18 years ago by John and other community-spirited tradies.

John says that he is prepared to do this project for free again as his grandkids play touch footy at the grounds.

In addition to female facilities, the plans also include a wheelchair lift.

John has received broad community support for his push, specifically from the Gerringong Public School which uses the fields, and also from councillors, candidates, and MPs Gareth Ward and Fiona Phillips.

Kiama Council was contacted for comment.